Austal USA acquires ElectraWatch

Ship manufacturer Austal USA, Mobile, Ala., has acquired privately held ElectraWatch Inc. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., the company develops and deploys probe devices that help maintain aluminum structures.

As both the designer and prime contractor, Austal USA manufactures the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) for the U.S. Navy. The company delivers two LCS and two EPF per year with the capacity to increase its manufacturing rate at its 166-acre facility and headquarters. Eight LCS (even numbered LCS 2 through 16) and nine EPFs (T-EPF 1-9) have been delivered to date. The company also was one of five prime contractors awarded a concept design contract for the U.S. Navy’s future guided missile Frigate (FFG(X)), while its EPF is also being considered to support permanent medical ship operations.