According to a contract published by the U.S. Department of Defense on June 7, 2021, Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $44,000,000 fixed-price incentive firm-target, undefinitized contract modification to previously awarded contract for the detail design, procurement, production implementation, and demonstration of autonomous capability in Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) 13 for U.S. Navy.
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Austal USA Expeditionary Fast Transport for U.S. navy. (Picture source Austal USA)
The USNS Apalachicola (T-EPF-13) will be the thirteenth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport and will be operated by the Military Sealift Command.
The US Navy's Expeditionary Fast Transport (T-EPF) program is procuring 14 high-speed transport vessels from Austal for the fast, intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment with aviation support.
This customized, non-combatant vessel, designed in Australia and constructed in the USA, leverages Austal's world-leading commercial passenger vessel design technology to deliver a unique platform that is redefining naval capability. Significant production and financial risks have been avoided by implementing proven technology, ensuring stable requirements, minimizing change and through the relentless pursuit of cost reduction and efficiency. The vessels are being built to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) High Speed Naval Craft Guide.
The T-EPF has a length and is capable of transporting 600 short tons up to 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 km) at an average speed of 35 knots (64.8 km/h). The ships can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, interface with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and on/off-load a combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank (M1A2).
The EPF includes a flight deck for helicopter operations and an off-load ramp that allows vehicles to quickly drive off the ship. The ramp is suitable for the types of austere piers and quay walls common in developing countries. EPF’s shallow draft further enhances littoral operations and port access. This makes the EPF an extremely flexible asset for support of a wide range of military and other (humanitarian and disaster relief) operations to small or damaged ports.
EPFs have a core crew of 21 people, with airline-style seating for more than 312 embarked forces and fixed berthing for 146.
