The U.S. Navy has awarded Austal USA a $230.5 million contract to build EPF 16, the 16th Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel in the Spearhead class, adding new medical and surgical capabilities to a proven ship design.
Battle-Proven Design with New Medical Suite
The new EPF 16 builds on 12 Expeditionary Fast Transports that Austal USA has already delivered to the Navy, all on schedule and on budget. What sets EPF 16 apart from earlier ships in the class is the addition of configurable spaces that can be converted into operating and postsurgical recovery rooms, significantly expanding the ship’s medical mission capability.
Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh credited the shipyard workforce. “Like the previously delivered EPFs, EPF 16 will benefit from the serial production of this program, resulting not only in a world-class ship but also providing assurance to the U.S. Navy that capability will be delivered on budget and on schedule,” he said. “Our reputation for delivering quality is a direct reflection of the commitment and dedication of our talented shipbuilders and suppliers.”
A Heavy Contract Load for Austal
Construction on the new ships was expected to begin in 2022, with delivery targeted for 2025. At the time of the award, Austal USA held active contracts for multiple Naval programs in addition to the EPF fleet, including the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, the Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ships (T-ATS), and supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs through its advanced machinery control systems.
The EPF 16 contract brought the total number of EPF-class ships under contract to 16 at the Mobile shipyard, cementing Austal USA’s position as a leading producer of expeditionary transport vessels for the U.S. Navy.