Austal USA has officially commenced construction on a new manufacturing facility dedicated to producing submarine modules, marking an expansion for the company and its role in supporting the US Navy.
The new facility, known as MMF3, is set to become fully operational by late 2026 and will enhance Austal USA’s capacity to contribute to the US Navy Submarine Industrial Base (SIB).
The new building will span 369,600 square feet, specifically designed for the manufacturing of submarine modules, the company said in a media release.
This facility aims to support the Navy’s goal of delivering one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines each year.
The construction plan includes a material storage area, a machine shop, an assembly area, and waterfront enhancements to facilitate the shipment of completed modules by barge.
The groundbreaking of this facility follows Austal USA’s recent initiation of another manufacturing building project, collectively representing an investment of over $750 million in the expansion of the Mobile facility.
Once both buildings are operational, they are expected to create more than 2,000 new jobs, reinforcing Austal USA’s impact on Alabama’s economy.
In 2023, Austal USA’s contracts were supported by 259 Alabama-based suppliers, contributing over $115 million in business, including partnerships with 185 small businesses, which made up more than 50 per cent of the total spend.
Governor Kay Ivey praised the expansion, stating, “This new facility for submarine module manufacturing reinforces Austal’s vital role in delivering the advanced capabilities required by these vital submarine programs.”
“The creation of 2,000 jobs and the investment in cutting-edge manufacturing technologies further demonstrates Austal’s dedication to both Alabama’s economy and our national defense,” the governor noted.
Michelle Kruger, president of Austal USA, emphasised the company’s commitment to national security initiatives, particularly the Navy’s Virginia and Columbia-class submarine programs.
“The key to our success is the strong partnerships we have built with not only our customers but also our employees and the amazing community surrounding us. We are grateful for the unending support we continue to receive from the city and county of Mobile and the great state of Alabama.”
In addition to the new submarine module facility, Austal USA began construction in July on another assembly building designed for the erection of large steel modules for Navy and Coast Guard vessels, including the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and TAGOS-25 programs.
This assembly building will cover four and a half acres, providing over 192,000 square feet of new indoor manufacturing space, complete with a shiplift system for safely launching and maintaining vessels.
Once completed, Austal USA’s Mobile facility will boast a 117,000 square-foot steel panel line, two module manufacturing facilities totalling over one million square feet of covered space optimised for serial production, and seven assembly bays with over 400,000 square feet of indoor erection space.
