United States Navy awards Austal USA contract for the Spearhead-class.

Austal Limited is pleased to announce that Austal USA has been awarded a US$235 million (approximately A$295 million) undefinitised contract by the United States Navy (USN) for the detailed design and construction of the 15th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel.
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USNS Newport T-EPF-12 is the twelfth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (Picture source: Austal)

Austal USA has delivered twelve EPFs to the US Navy since 2012, on schedule and under budget, from the company’s Mobile, Alabama, shipyard.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the new contract was a clear demonstration of confidence by the US Navy in the versatile EPF platform, designed by Austal Australia and manufactured by Austal USA.

The Spearhead-class EPF is a 103-metre high-speed aluminium catamaran with a large, 1800 square metre cargo deck, medium-lift helicopter deck and seating for 300+ embarked troops; providing a fast, high-payload transport capability to combatant commanders around the world. The Austal-designed and built EPFs support a wide range of missions – from maritime security operations to humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

An EPF’s flexibility also allows it to support potential future missions; such as special operations, command and control, and primary medical operations.

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. In addition to the EPF program, Austal USA is contracted to deliver 19 Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy.

Thirteen Independence-class LCS’ have been delivered, with an additional five ships in various stages of construction and one contracted but yet to commence construction.