Austal USA Welcomes Rear Admiral Jonathan Rucker
MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA welcomed Rear Admiral (RADM) Jonathan Rucker, PEO Attack Submarines, at the company’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard yesterday. RADM Rucker began his visit by addressing more than 200 members of the Austal USA and General Dynamics Electric Boat submarine manufacturing team. RADM Rucker emphasized the valuable work they are doing for the Virginia-and Columbia-class submarine programs. He then toured Austal USA’s advanced ship manufacturing facility and discussed the company’s critical role as a strategic partner to grow the submarine industrial base.
During the tour, RADM Rucker also viewed the progress being made on the construction of Austal USA’s new 369,600 square foot module manufacturing facility purpose-built to produce submarine modules, Module Manufacturing Facility-3 (MMF 3). MMF-3, which will achieve initial operating capability next summer, is a critical component in increasing the capacity of the submarine industrial base. The building will incorporate industry 4.0 features to provide enhanced efficiency and increase throughput.
“We appreciated the opportunity to host Rear Admiral Rucker this morning and show him the commitment of the entire Austal USA shipbuilding team to supporting the submarine industrial base,” stated Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. “From the on-going work on manufacturing modules to the construction underway for our new production facility, our team is fully focused on increasing our production in support of the Columbia- and Virginia-class programs.”
Austal USA has delivered 32 ships to the Navy over the company’s 25-year history. As part of the company’s efforts to expand the production capacity of the submarine industrial base, Austal USA is manufacturing and outfitting modules for the Virginia- and Columbia-class programs. Seven modules under construction were on display for RADM Rucker during his tour today.
Austal USA is also leading the standup of the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Va. In this capacity, the company is responsible for developing a national network of vendors with qualified additive manufacturing machines and processes to provide critical submarine parts.
