With the christening of the future USNS Billy Frank Jr., the shipbuilder Austal continues to advance the construction of the U.S. Navy’s new Navajo-class towing, salvage, and rescue ships. This new unit, hull number T-ATS 11, is the sixth in the class and is designed to conduct salvage and rescue operations in support of other U.S. Navy vessels.
Construction of the Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11) began in late 2023 and is part of a $79.2 million contract signed between Austal and the U.S. Navy in mid-2023. The agreement is part of a broader effort to replace the aging Safeguard– and Powhatan-class fleets. Austal has also confirmed progress on the future USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS 12) and USNS James D. Fairbanks (T-ATS 13), with two more units included in the contract yet to begin construction.
Construction of the T-ATS 13 began in mid-2024, highlighting not only the steady progress of the U.S. Navy’s support ship modernization program but also the strengthening of industrial and operational capabilities that back the Navy’s logistical, salvage, and rapid-response missions in open-ocean environments.
The Navajo Class
The Navajo-class represents the next generation of towing and rescue ships, with primary missions including the recovery and salvage of disabled or stranded vessels at sea. These ships have a displacement of over 5,000 tons, a length of 80 meters, and a beam of 59 meters. They are operated by a crew of 42 sailors and have an operational range of approximately 9,400 nautical miles.
Austal also notes that the ships’ large working deck allows for the installation of a wide variety of interchangeable and autonomous systems. The vessels are also capable of responding to oil spills, delivering humanitarian assistance, and conducting long-range surveillance. Future configurations may include modular capabilities with integrated logistics support and specialized interfaces.
With several units already under construction and the ability to adapt to multiple operational scenarios, the Navajo-class represents a significant step forward in renewing the U.S. Navy’s support fleet. These new towing and rescue ships not only enhance salvage and logistics operations but also lay the groundwork for a more versatile, resilient fleet, prepared to meet the growing challenges of the global maritime environment.
You may also like Lockheed Martin delivers first AN/TPY-4 radar to the U.S. Air Force
