Austal USA awarded $44 million to develop EPF autonomy

EPF 12 on integrated trials. Nexy vesssel in series could be autonomous [Photo: Austal USA]

The U.S. Navy has awarded Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, a $44,000,000 contract modification for the detail design, procurement, production implementation, and demonstration of autonomous capability in Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) 13.

Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama (60%); Reston, Virginia (35%); and Fairfax, Virginia (5%), and is expected to complete by July 2022.

Fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) cost-to-complete funding in the amount of $22,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.