Austal delivers sixth Expeditionary Fast Transport to the U.S. Navy
MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA delivered the nation’s sixth Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, USNS Brunswick (EPF 6), to the U.S. Navy here Jan. 14, 2016.
The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program, formerly named the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program, provides the Navy with a high-speed intra-theater transport capability. The Brunswick is a 338-foot long aluminum catamaran capable of transporting 600 tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots, and is designed to operate in austere ports and waterways, providing added flexibility to U.S. warfighters worldwide. The ship's flight deck can also support flight operations for a wide variety of aircraft, including a CH-53 Super Stallion.
“We’re proud to deliver yet another great ship to the U.S. Navy fleet,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said. “The five Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels in service today have already proven to be a valuable resource for our nation and we’re excited to deliver another ship that will add to that global capability.”
USNS Spearhead (EPF 1) was delivered in 2012 and has already logged over 100,000 nautical miles supporting operations from Africa to the Pacific and South America. Her four follow-on sister ships have also been put to use around the globe supporting humanitarian and combat operations.
“The EPF program is very mature thanks to the hard work and dedication to excellence of the amazing shipbuilders here at Austal USA,” Perciavalle said. “The Austal team is delivering incredible ships for our nation’s defense while further establishing Austal USA as a major defense contractor.”
Today’s delivery marks the sixth EPF ship delivered to the Navy as part of a 10-ship, $1.6 billion block-buy contract.
Upon delivery of USNS Brunswick, there will be three Spearhead-class EPFs under construction at Austal’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The future USNS Carson City (EPF 7) was christened today, Jan. 16, and is slated to launch early next week. Modules for the future USNS Yuma (EPF 8) and USNS Bismarck (EPF 9) are under construction in Austal’s module manufacturing facility with the construction of Burlington (EPF 10) scheduled to begin in early 2016. EPF 11 and 12 have been fully funded by Congress in the 2015 and 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bills. The Navy awarded Austal a $54 million contract in October to fund long lead materials for EPF 11.
In addition to the EPF program, Austal is also under contract to build Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy. Three LCS have been delivered while an additional six are in various stages of construction.
About Austal
Austal is a global defense prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defense and commercial ships. For more than 25 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for Governments, Navies and Ferry operators around the world. More than 250 vessels have been delivered in that time.
Ships
Defense vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the EPF for the United States Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Customs and Border Protection. Defense vessels are designed and constructed in Mobile, Alabama and in Henderson, Western Australia.
Austal has been at the forefront of the high speed ferry market since the early days of the industry. Our market leading designs of high performance aluminum vessels have long been at the heart of Austal’s research and development. Today, commercial ship construction is centered on our shipyard in Balamban, Philippines.
Systems
Austal has expertise in integrating complex systems into its ships, including ride control, ship management, and communication, sensors and weapon systems.
Support
Austal provides a wide range of support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel sustainment and systems support. These services are delivered through our global support network in the USA, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East together with partner shipyards worldwide.
ENDS
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Further Information:
Austal USA Press
(251) 445-5911
