As the prime contractor, Austal currently has contracts to build the first three JHSVs as part of a 10-vessel program valued at up to AU$2 billion.
These options fund the acquisition of long lead-time material for JHSV 4 and 5.
Austal was awarded the initial contract to design and build the first JHSV in November 2008, with contracts for an additional two vessels awarded in January 2010.
Options for the remaining seven vessels are expected to be awarded between FY10 and FY13.
Construction of JHSV 1 "Spearhead" is currently underway at Austal's US facility in Mobile, Alabama, with a keel-laying ceremony to be held in coming weeks.
JHSV 2 is scheduled to commence construction in September 2010, with JHSV 3 to commence in mid-2011.
Long lead-time material for JHSV 4 and 5 will include main propulsion engines, water jets, reduction gears and other major equipment items.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is the platform mission systems engineering agent responsible for the design, integration and test of the ship's electronic mission systems, including an open architecture computing infrastructure, internal and external communications, electronic navigation, aviation and armament systems.
...but minor leaks, structural damage cause LCS-1 to miss Fleet Review
The Lockheed Martin-built Freedom (LCS-1), the US Navy's lead ship in the nascent Littoral Combat Ship class, will not make a previously scheduled appearance at an international fleet review due to leaks discovered recently in the port and starboard splitter gear lube oil coolers, a Navy spokesman said.