T-ATS 11 is the heaviest ship Austal USA has ever launched at 3,100 metric tons. With a multimission common hull platform, it will be capable of towing U.S. Navy ships and will have 6,000 sq. ft. of deck space allowing for a variety of standalone and interchangeable systems.

Austal’s Mobile shipyard has been launching aluminum ships for the Navy for years. But in 2020, the yard began the process of diversifying into steel construction and contracted with SSAB to buy plate of various strengths and sizes. 

SSAB, which has a mill in Mobile, Ala., supplied plate for the ship. 

The new ship will be able to support missions including towing, salvage, rescue, oil spill response, humanitarian assistance, and wide-area search and surveillance. 

The company said it is named after a Native American Korean War veteran who fought for justice and environmental preservation in the northwest U.S. It is one of three ships under construction by the company and the first steel product of its automated steel panel line. 

At the time of launching, the ship was over 85% completed and is being prepared for sea trials and delivery, the company said.