Austal USA has chosen L3Harris Technologies to oversee the integration of the electric and propulsion systems for the US Navy’s first T-AGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ship.
The American subsidiary of Australian shipbuilder Austal, Austal USA was contracted to design and construct seven T-AGOS-25 class ships for $3.2 billion in 2023.
The vessels will be tasked with collecting underwater acoustic data to support submarine detection through both passive and active surveillance.
“T-AGOS ships are essential for strategic deterrence and operational awareness to meet the Navy’s requirements for anti-submarine warfare readiness,” President of L3Harris Maritime Nino DiCosmo said.
“As Austal USA’s single system vendor, we will deliver a reliable, high-performing surveillance ship to achieve the Navy’s strategic objectives.”
Ocean Surveillance Ship
Equipped with a surveillance towed array sensor system, the T-AGOS vessel is capable of detecting submarines at distances greater than other platforms.
Data collected by the ships is integrated into the navy’s larger intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance network, enabling faster response times and coordinated defense strategies.
A replacement of the operational fleet of five TAGOS ships, the T-AGOS-25 will feature a small waterplane area twin-hull, or SWATH, design that is larger and faster than its predecessor.
Due to technical and production challenges, delivery of the lead ship has been pushed back by a year to 2027, with the second vessel expected in February 2029.
The fleet is now projected to achieve full operational capability in 2036, a year later than originally planned.
