Austal - High-Speed Support Vessels and Patrol Boats

Austal is the world leader in the construction and design of bespoke, high-speed aluminium police boats, patrol boats and multi-role vessels for both commercial and defence applications. With five shipyards now operating in Western Australia, Tasmania and the USA, Austal has delivered more than 200 vessels for customers worldwide.

Austal’s 160 strong in-house design team excellently complements its powerful productive capacity. The company's success in a competitive market is also attributed to its strong service and support network, financial and technical strength, and an ability to work with each customer to identify and meet their specific requirements.

AUSTAL HIGH-SPEED SUPPORT VESSELS

Twice as fast as any conventional sealift ship anywhere in the world, Austal's high-speed military support vessels get closer to the fight, thanks to a draft that is approximately 60% less than its traditional steel counterpart, freeing it from dependence on deepwater ports.

Lightweight aluminium construction technology requires lower engine powering and delivers economical operating characteristics, which results in efficient and reliable service and substantially reduced operating and maintenance costs.

These ships excel at discharging troops and equipment at all but the smallest ports, even lagoons and beaches. This flexibility and manoeuvrability maximises access and creates considerable logistical and tactical advantages, including creating uncertainty for an enemy by having the ability to land forces in locations where they are least expected.

The ability to use austere and degraded ports also creates an advantage over aircraft, which are naturally limited by the size and quality of landing sites available. Multi-purpose operational roles include:

• Amphibious assault support
• Rapid personnel deployment
• Helicopter support
• Search and rescue
• Command and rescue
• Humanitarian relief operations
• Deployment of police and customs teams

"WESTPAC EXPRESS" CATAMARAN

In July 2001, the US military contracted Austal's Auto Express 101m catamaran "WestPac Express" for operations supporting the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF). They received all the benefits of well-proven commercial ferry technology, constantly enhanced through operational experience, delivering a low-risk solution to their transportation requirements.

"WestPac Express" can accomplish in a single voyage what typically takes US Air Mobility Command multiple flights spread over a 14 to 16 day period. "WestPac Express" saves III MEF some 250 flights, and millions of dollars, each year, while also completing the overall transport task faster.

Capable of sustaining loaded speeds of 36kn, "WestPac Express" rapidly transports a complete battalion of more than 950 marines together with up to 550t of vehicles and equipment, in one lift, delivering considerable strategic and cost advantages.

Since entering service, the vessel has covered an impressive 75,000 nautical miles per annum, and delivered operational availability of an incredible 99.7% – previously unheard of in military transport circles.

PATROL BOATS

Austal is able to provide patrol vessels to address a broad cross-section of needs for heightened security and surveillance in ports and coastal waters.

Sizeable orders from clients such as the Australian Customs Service, the Royal Australian Navy, the Kuwaiti Coast Guard and the Republic of Yemen have established the company among the world's elite patrol boat suppliers.