Propulsion systems contract for the US Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutter programme. Kongsberg Maritime has won a contract with Austal USA to supply its Promas propulsion system to the next four ships in the United States Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) Heritage Class programme. The Coast Guard's new OPC program represents a significant investment in maritime capability and is expected to run up to 25 ships. The new vessels will replace the Coast Guard's medium endurance cutters and meet the need for long-term offshore capability to maintain current and future mission effectiveness. Promas combines rudder and controllable pitch propeller into one propulsion system which optimises the hydrodynamic properties of the ship and delivers increased efficiency and thrust while using less energy. For the OPC, as well as twin Promas, Kongsberg Maritime is contracted to supply steering gear, rudders, fin stabilisers and tunnel thrusters. Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, CEO of Kongsberg Maritime, said: "Naval Technology is delighted to have been selected to supply four shipsets of its efficient and effective propulsion system suited to the challenging and varied operations of these new ships. "Its Promas systems typically deliver efficiency savings of around 6%, so vessels are able to extend their range, something which can be crucial on longer missions. "We're looking forward to working with the Coast Guard and Austal USA on delivering these highly-capable ships and continuing our proud history of supplying mission-critical technology to United States Coast Guard programs." The OPC vessels will be able to provide long-range patrol capability. At 360 feet long, they will have a displacement of 3,700 long tons, maximum speed of 22.2 knots, and a range of 9,050 nautical miles at 14 knots.

Austal launches into Land Forces for the first time. September 29, 2026 Building on 38 years of sovereign shipbuilding and as the Landing Craft Medium (LCM) and Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) programs commence as part of the Australian Army's littoral manoeuvre capability, Austal will make its debut at the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition for the first time. The Land Forces Exposition is taking place from 6 to 8 October 2026 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) and provides a unique opportunity for Austal to demonstrate how its extensive shipbuilding experience and innovative technology can support defence partners in the littoral environment. Following two decades of global littoral capability development, which has seen the company deliver landing craft and littoral combat ships for use by the US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Army, Austal is turning its attention to the domestic customer. Headquartered in Henderson. Western Australia, Austal is building 8 Landing Craft Heavy and 18 Landing Craft Medium vessels for the Australian Army under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement. As part of these programs, Austal is undertaking a major recruitment campaign to hire hundreds of people across trades and office-based roles over a 12-month period and recruitment representatives will be at the Austal stand (2L16) to talk about career opportunities, including apprenticeships and early careers programs. Outside of the landing craft builds, the company has also been working on integrated autonomous solutions and decision support tools to provide commanders with advanced decision making during littoral operations. A new tool has been developed in house by Austal's R&D team to integrate vessel and environmental data, including mobility, cargo loading and beach conditions, supporting faster, better-informed and actionable decisions. Delivered in partnership with Greenroom Robotics, visitors to the Austal stand can also immerse themselves with a new digital command table, replicating the bird ops table. It will showcase manned unmanned teaming (MUM-T) in support of landing craft missions through Austal's AROS autonomy architecture and Vantage-class Optionally Crewed Surface Vessels. Major General (Retired) Kathryn Toohey AM CSC will host a thought leadership panel session delivered by the Austal team between 1130 - 1230 on Thursday, 8 October. Under the theme Advancing Littoral Capability: Austal's Integrated Advantage, the panel will explore how Austal's experience designing, constructing and sustaining world class maritime platforms helps deliver integrated solutions for its customers. Throughout the event, representatives from Austal's senior leadership, business development, technology, supply chain, human resources and sustainment teams will be available to discuss the company's capabilities and answer questions. "Austal is delighted to be participating in Land Forces 2026 for the first time, especially in WA, where we are beginning work on landing craft programs that mark the start of a continuous naval shipbuilding future in this state." "Land Forces is an important opportunity for Austal to emphasise the work and recruitment underway to build Australia's future defence fleet at Henderson, and the decades of experience and innovation that have led us to this point." Austal CEO Paddy Gregg "We look forward to welcoming our defence partners, the international community and stakeholders from across government and industry to the Austal stand and our thought leadership session, where we'll be highlighting the design, construction, sustainment and autonomy expertise that provides our customers with a unique integrated advantage in littoral capabilities."