AUSTAL TRIMARAN TECHNOLOGY

Bow view of the US Navy Lit toral Combat Ship ( LCS)

Austal Trimaran Technology
In 2000 Austal started a comprehensive research and development project with the objective to develop
a new hull design that would offer high speeds in rough seas whilst setting a new standard for passenger
comfort. The result was Benchijigua Express, a 127 metre vehicle-passenger ferry utilising a trimaran hull that
is successfully operating in commercial service today.
Austal Trimaran Technology can also be applied to different operations and vessel sizes. The Littoral Combat
Ship (LCS) design for the US Navy utilises the inherent advantages of the trimaran - large cargo bay, high
payloads, f exible layout, shallow draft, manoeuvrability, high speed in a seaway and superior seakeeping
performance resulting in improved crew comfort and operational capabilities - to enable a new breed of
surface combatant for near shore duties.
127 metre Vehicle-Passenger Trimaran Benchijigua Express at 40 knots delivered April 2005.
Austal utilises advanced computer software and tank testing facilities.
The Trimaran design features a large
cargo bay with a exible layout,
capable of carrying substantial
payloads at high speeds in a seaway
without the loss in speed typically
experienced with other hull platforms.
The improved seakeeping performance
results in superior aviation and watercraft
operational capability, and ensures that
the crew does not suffer from fatigue or
seasickness due to ship motions.
Trimaran: combining the best
of both monohull & multi-hull worlds
This diagram compares the trimaran with equivalent
size monohull and catamaran designs. It shows the
superior overall performance in terms of operability
(sea keeping).
Austal is the worlds largest and most experienced designer and builder of aluminium ships.
Aluminium commercial construction expertise
USS Independence ( LCS-2)
Under Construction December 2006
Principal Characteristics
Length 127.6m
Beam 31.6m
Packaged Modular Mission Capabilit y
Mine Warfare ( MIW)
Surface Warfare (SUW)
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Propulsion & Electrical-CODAG
Gas Turbines (2)
Diesels (2)
Waterjets (4)
Retractable Azi-Thrusters (1)
Diesel Generators (4)
LCS
Austal is the Designer and Builder of the LCS Trimaran
Aviation Facilities
Hangar for (2) H- 60 R/S
Flight Deck for (2) H- 60 or (1) H-53
Sprint Speed 45 knots
Over 3500nm Range
Superior Mission Volume
Superior dynamic stabilit y in adverse
wave environments
Seaframe in the General Dynamics Team.
The GD-LCS offers the latest in commercially-proven high-speed transoceanic hull technology. The GD-LCS
trimaran hullform provides:
The LCS carries double the objective combat payload volume and weight for enhanced near-term and future
warfighting capability. The ability to provide multiple, diverse mission packages increases on-station time, offers a
greater range of warfighting options, and minimizes time to reconfigure for a new mission. The GD-LCS provides:
Superior Performance in All Sea Conditions
Superior combat effectiveness anywhere in the
world under any condition
The greatest range of combat operational
availability 60% of world sea conditions exceed
sea state 3
Safe operations for heavy loads
through sea state 4, and aviation ops
through sea state 5
Superior seaway performance extending crew
endurance and increasing human effectiveness
More Mission Module Capacity More Combat Power
Covert Operations / Low Signatures
Maximum combat payload
Superior mission flexibility
Warfighting options to use LCS in ways not yet conceived
Rapid reconfigurability
Greater margin for future mission growth
Affordable technology insertion for mission upgrades
Innovative mission module launch and recovery
Superior operational stealth far beyond current surface combatants
Non-ferrous hull
Topside shaping
Integrated low-observable sensors
Advanced / special materials
Diverse embarked forces / mission loadout options enhanced by innovative delivery platform and launch / retrieval system
LCS
-
Capabilities Overview
Maximum combat payload
Superior mission fexibility
War fghting options to use LCS in ways not yet
conceived
Rapid reconfgurability
Greater margin for future mission growth
Affordable technology insertion for mission
upgrades
Independent development of mission
modules from ship
Innovative mission module launch and recovery
Superior operational stealth
far beyond current surface combatants
Non-ferrous hull
Topside low radar cross section design
Integrated low-observable sensors
Advanced / special materials
Diverse embarked forces / mission loadout
options enhanced by innovative delivery platform
and launch / recovery system
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Covert Operations / Low Signatures
Excellent Sea-keeping Superior Protection from Sea Spray
Large Flight Deck Support H-53 Operations
As a Joint Force multiplier, the GD-LCS can launch and recover all rotary
winged Navy and Joint Forces aircraft. The GD-LCS offers greater
operational readiness and improved aviation safety. This advantage
provides the needed flexibility to support all rotary winged mission
requirements without needing to restrict your mission role because of
limitations in aviation operations.
The LCS Flight Deck
Superior Stability real operational capability through sea state 5
Larger area than any US surface combatant, accommodating
simultaneous operations from two onboard H 60 and three UAVs
Strong enough to support H 53 operations
Higher above the water line to ensure sea spray free operations
Platform elevator allows mission bay equipment to be air
transportable
Trimaran Superior Aviation Capabilit y
LCS
FFG
Austal High Speed Naval Solutions
EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC
ZONE BORDER PATROL
COMMAND & CONTROL
INTEGRATION, SURVEILLANCE,
RECONNAISSANCE
AT-SEA REPLENISHMENT
SEARCH AND RESCUE
LAW ENFORCEMENT
FISHERIES PATROL
FORCE TRANSPORTATION
SPECIAL FORCES SUPPORT
ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE
MINE HUNTING
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY
HELO FLIGHT TRAINING
LIGHT SEALIFT
LIGHT AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS
AREA OF OPERATION
THEATRE HOSPITAL
HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT
Multi-Role Corvette

MRC
78
Characteristics
Length : 78.5 metres LOA
Speed : >25 knots sprint
Range : 6,000 nm
Deadweight : 320 tonnes
Mission Deck : 540 m
2
Flight deck : MRH-90
Accom: 43 personnel
USA Shipyard:
100 Dunlap Drive
Mobile, Alabama 36602
United States of America
Australian Shipyard:
100 Clarence Beach Road
Henderson
Western Australia 6166
www.austal.com
sales@austal.com
Tel +61 8 9410 1111
Fax +61 8 9410 2564
LARGE FLEXIBLE RORO MISSION /
LOGISTICS DECK
MULTI-MISSION HELICOPTER
CAPABILITY
SYSTEMS PACKAGED MISSION
MODULES