Navy awards Austal USA $235 million EPF contract

USNS Newport (EPF 12): The next ship in series, USNS Apalachicola, has been trialing autonomous capabilities. [Image: Austal]

Austal USA has been awarded a $235 million U.S. Navy contract for the detailed design and construction of the 15th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel.

Austal USA has delivered 12 EPFs to the US Navy since 2012, on schedule and under budget, from its Mobile, Ala., shipyard.

Paddy Gregg, CEO of parent company Austal Limited called the new contract a clear demonstration of confidence by the U.S Navy in the versatile EPF platform, designed by Austal Australia and manufactured by Austal USA.

“The EPF has become a real success story, delivering a fast, flexible and versatile capability to the U.S. Navy,” said Gregg, “The EPF has made a real difference to military operations and other humanitarian and disaster relief missions over many years now, and this additional vessel contract reflects the continuing confidence in the unique high-speed platform.”

The Spearhead-class EPF is a 103-meter high-speed aluminum catamaran with a large, 1,800-square-meter cargo deck, medium-lift helicopter deck and seating for 300-plus embarked troops; providing a fast, high-payload transport capability to combatant commanders around the world.

One Spearhead-class EPF, the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), is currently under construction at Austal USA’s shipyard, while the future USNS Cody (EPF 14) is scheduled to commence construction in the second half of FY2021.