Austal confident

Australia-based Austal is confident its contract with the U.S. Navy will not be affected by a move to investigate purchase of the ships. A committee wants the Government Accountability Office to look into how the U.S. Navy has dealt with problems associated with its 55-vessel Littoral Combat Ship program, including rust issues. Austal USA is building the Independence class version of the LCS in Mobile, Ala. Company CEO Andrew Bellamy told PerthNow he has never felt more confident about the LCS program. (Source: PerthNow, 05/10/12)