Official websites use .mil

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

Naval Sea Systems Command

Program Summary

The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) shipbuilding program provides high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army.

The EPF, formerly designated the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), is a shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamaran capable of intra-theater personnel and cargo lift providing combatant commanders high-speed sealift mobility with inherent cargo handling capability and agility to achieve positional advantage over operational distances. Bridging the gap between low-speed sealift and high-speed airlift, EPFs transport personnel, equipment, and supplies over operational distances with access to littoral offload points including austere, minor and degraded ports in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT)/Theater Security Cooperation Program (TSCP), Intra-theater Operational/Littoral Maneuver and Sustainment, and Seabasing. EPFs enables the rapid projection, agile maneuver, and sustainment of modular, tailored forces in response to a wide range of military and civilian contingencies such as Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO), Humanitarian Assistance, and Disaster Relief (HADR).

The EPF is designed to transport 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots in sea state 3. The ships are capable of operating in shallow-draft ports and waterways, interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and on/off-loading 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. The ship’s shallow draft (under 15 feet) will further enhance littoral operations and port access. This makes the EPF an extremely flexible asset for support of a wide range of operations including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, flexible logistics support, or as the key enabler for rapid transport.

EPF has a crew of 26 Civilian Mariners (CIVMARS) with airline style seating for more than 312 embarked forces and fixed berthing for an additional 104. Military Sealift Command operates and sustains the EPFs, which will be allocated via global force management for theater security cooperation service unique missions, intra-theater sealift, and special missions.

In 2008, the Navy awarded Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, a fixed-price incentive contract modification for detail design and construction (DD&C) of one EPF. The contract modification also included options for the construction of up to nine additional ships and associated shore-based spares which have all been awarded.  Austal was subsequently awarded a construction contract for EPF 11 and EPF 12 in September 2016. The company has also been contracted for Long Lead Time Material (LLTM) for EPF 13/14, with construction contracts planned for 2019.

The Navy has accepted delivery of ten EPFs with USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) being the most recent delivery in November 2018. The shipbuilder is in production on Puerto Rico (EPF 11) and Newport (EPF 12) and plans to start construction on EPF 13 in late FY 19.

Updated Jan 2019

  • Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF)
  • Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB)
  • Ship to Shore Connector (SSC)
  • Support Ships, Boats and Craft

Switch language:

NT

Spearhead Class Expeditionary Fast Transport Vessels

Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships are built by Austal USA as part of the EPF programme initiated by the US Navy.

Military Sealift Command (MSC)

Displacement

Maximum speed.

us navy fast catamaran

Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships, previously known as Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV), are being built by Austal USA as part of the EPF programme initiated by the US Navy.

Operated by the Military Sealift Command, the EPF vessels support joint or coalition force operations of the army and navy.

Recommended White Papers

Whitepaper

Digital Helicopter Operator Surveillance System (DHOSS)

Aviation fuelling systems, recommended buyers guides.

Buyers-Guide

Command and control systems and components for the naval defence industry

Military communications systems and equipment suppliers for the naval defence industry.

The main roles of the vessels are the transportation of troops, military vehicles, cargo and equipment for a range of global missions. They will also support military logistics and humanitarian relief operations.

Development and construction of the JHSV

The preliminary design contract for the EPF programme was awarded in February 2008. The programme initially called for five EPF vessels to be delivered to the army, as well as five to the Navy and Marine Corps.

In November 2008, the US Navy placed a $185.4m contract for the detailed design and construction of an EPF, with options for up to nine additional ships. The initial critical design review (ICDR) was completed by May 2009.

The first three vessels were named Spearhead T-EPF 1 (ex-JHSV 1), Vigilant (T-EPF 2) and Fortitude (T-EPF 3) in July 2009. Construction of Vigilant and Fortitude was authorised by the US Navy in January 2010.

The keel for the first ship in the class, USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1), was laid at Austal’s shipyard at Mobile, Alabama, in July 2010. It was launched and christened as USNS Spearhead in September 2011. The ship successfully completed acceptance trials in September 2012 and was formally handed over to the US Navy in December 2012. The US Navy concluded initial operational testing and evaluation of T-EPF 1 in October 2013.

Construction of USNS Choctaw County (T-EPF-2) (ex-Vigilant) began in September 2010. In May 2011, the US Army transferred all five of its EPFs to the Navy. The T-EPF 2 was christened as USNS Choctaw County in September 2012 and launched in October 2012. The keel for the third EPF (now, Millinocket) was laid down in May 2012, and the vessel was launched in June 2013. Deliveries of the second and third EPFs took place in June 2013 and March 2014, respectively. The USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3) participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.

The keel-laying of the fourth EPF, Fall River, was held in May 2013, and the ship was launched in January 2014. Acceptance trials were completed in July 2014, and the vessel was delivered to the US Navy in September 2014. The keel for the fifth ship in the class, USNS Trenton (T-EPF 5) (ex-JHSV 5), was laid in March 2014, and the vessel was launched in September 2014. It was delivered to the US Navy in April 2015.

The US Navy exercised contract options for the construction of the sixth and seventh ships in July 2011. Construction of the sixth vessel, named USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) (ex-JHSV 6), commenced in January 2014, and the keel was laid in December 2014. The vessel was launched in May 2015 and delivered in January 2016. Construction on the seventh EPF, named Carson City, began in September 2014.

The keel of USNS Carson City (T-EPF-7) was laid in July 2015. The ship was launched in January 2016 and delivered in June of the same year.

The contract options for the construction of eighth and ninth EPFs were exercised in February 2012. The US Navy exercised the $166.9m contract option for the final vessel of the ten-ship programme in December 2012.

The eighth EPF, USNS Yuma, was launched in September 2016 and delivered in April 2017. The keel for USNS Bismarck (T-EPF-9) was laid in January 2017, and the vessel was launched in June 2017.

Austal USA was awarded a $326m contract by the US Navy to construct EPF 11 and EPF 12 in September 2016.

Joint High Speed Vessel design features

The EPF features rounded bilge and bulbous bow hull forms made of aluminium. The catamaran vessel is built to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) standards. On-board systems comply with the commercial ABS steel vessel regulations.

The ship does not feature combat systems or the ability to support or use LCS mission modules. EPF is based on commercial technology but includes limited military features, such as aviation, C4SI and fire-fighting.

The vessel has a length of 103m, beam of 28.5m and draft of 3.8m. The displacement of the ship is 2,362t.

The open unobstructed mission deck has a usable cargo area of more than 1,800m² with a clear height of 4.7m and turning diameter of 26.2m.

Performance and power of the US Navy ships

EPF can be operated in shallow-draft ports and waterways, interfacing with roll-on / roll-off discharge facilities and on / off-loading. The stern loading ramp can support an M1A2 Abrams main battle tank.

The ships can transport 635t of payload for more than 1,200nm at an average speed of 35k. EPF is manned by the civilian mariners provided by the Military Sealift Command. The vessel has a crew of approximately 42 people.

Aircraft capabilities of Austal USA’s JHSV

The EPF features a Navair level 1 class 2 certified flight deck to support the operations of one helicopter, such as a  CH-53E  Super Stallion.

The ship is equipped with a centreline parking area for one helicopter, vertical replenishment area and helicopter control station.

Kongsberg Maritime was contracted to supply the EPF’s helicopter operations surveillance system (HOSS).

Operated from the control room, the HOSS system allows helicopter operations in very low light conditions.

The system integrates a MIL-S-901D shock qualified 19in SXGA LCD monitor suitable for night vision device (NVD) operations.

JHSV propulsion and crew accommodation

EPF is powered by four MTU 20V8000 M71L diesel engines driving four Wartsila WLD 1400 SR waterjets with four ZF 60000NR2H reduction gears. Each engine rated at 9.1MW provides a maximum speed of 43k without payload. The propulsion system delivers superior fuel efficiency to reduce operating costs.

The ship provides accommodation for 42 crew members in two single staterooms, six double staterooms and seven four-bed staterooms. There is airline-style seating for more than 312 embarked forces, as well as permanent berths for approximately 104 personnel and temporary berths for 46 troops.

Related Projects

 alt=

More Projects

 alt=

Harrier II Plus (AV-8B) VSTOL Fighter and Attack Aircraft

Type 26 global combat ship programme, uk, p-8a poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, usa, mq-4c triton bams uas, sign up for our daily news round-up.

Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.

Sign up to the newsletter

Your corporate email address.

Naval Technology In Brief

Global Defence Technology

Thematic Take

I consent to Verdict Media Limited collecting my details provided via this form in accordance with Privacy Policy

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.

us navy fast catamaran

Official websites use .mil

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

Display-FactFiles

Navy Logo

High-Speed Transport

Last updated: 13 Oct 2021

Point of Contact Military Sealift Command Public Affairs

471 East C St. Norfolk, VA 23511-2419

(757) 443-2839

Google Translation Disclaimer

Defense Industry Daily Logo

This article is included in these additional categories: Australia & S. Pacific | Blimps & LTA Craft | Coastal & Littoral | Contracts - Awards | Contracts - Modifications | Design Innovations | FOCUS Articles | General Dynamics | Interoperability | Logistics | New Systems Tech | Official Reports | Other Corporation | Partnerships & Consortia | Power Projection | Pre-RFP | Surface Ships - Other | Transformation | UAVs | USA | Warfare - Trends

The usa’s spearhead-class, expeditionary fast transports.

UH-60L Blackhawk helicopte

[youtube:v=PHd02bpHLqM]

March 20/19: Shipyad Availability Colonna Shipyards won an $8.9 million deal for an 80-day shipyard availability for the emergency dry-docking of Navy Ship Spearhead (T-EPF 1) . The Spearhead Class Expeditionary Fast Transport shipbuilding program to provide “a platform intended to support users in the Department of the Navy and Department of the Army. The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program is a cooperative effort for a high-speed, shallow draft vessel intended for rapid intratheater transport of medium-sized cargo payloads. The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) is a shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamaran capable of intra-theater personnel and cargo lift, providing combatant commanders high-speed sealift mobility with inherent cargo handling capability and agility to achieve positional advantage over operational distances. Work will take place in Norfolk, Virginia and is expected to be finished 2020.

Stay Up-to-Date on Defense Programs Developments with our Free Newsletter

Defense Industry Daily's daily email newsletter keeps you abreast of contract developments, pictures, and data, put in the context of their underlying political, business, and technical drivers.

us navy fast catamaran

One Source: Hundreds of programs; Thousands of links, photos, and analyses

DII brings a complete collection of articles with original reporting and research, and expert analyses of events to your desktop – no need for multiple modules, or complex subscriptions. All supporting documents, links, & appendices accompany each article.

  • Eliminate your blind spots
  • Get the big picture, quickly
  • Keep up with the important facts
  • Stay on top of your projects or your competitors
  • Coverage of procurement and doctrine issues
  • Timeline of past and future program events
  • Comprehensive links to other useful resources
  • Charged Monthly
  • $150 Charged Each Quarter
  • $540 charged each year
  • $840 Charged every other year

Sea Air Space 2024

Austal USA Delivers 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship to U.S. Navy

Austal limited is pleased to announce that usns newport (epf 12) has been delivered to the united states navy from austal usa's state-of-the-art shipyard in mobile, alabama..

Xavier Vavasseur 03 Sep 2020

Austal USA press release

USNS Newport is the 12 th Spearhead -class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship to be delivered to the United States Navy – and brings the total number of ships delivered to the Navy by Austal USA to 24 in ten years, including three this year.

Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the delivery of EPF 12 by Austal USA further strengthens the status of its Mobile, Alabama shipyard as an industry-leading facility.

“Austal USA has now delivered 24 ships to the US Navy, in just over ten years, including three in this year alone. This is a remarkable achievement and testament to the productivity and efficiency of the shipyard, which is now expanding to enable the shipbuilding and support of steel vessels,” Mr Singleton said.

“The ongoing, successful delivery of both the Spearhead -class EPF and Independence -class LCS shipbuilding programs has positioned the Austal USA shipyard to pursue new aluminium and steel shipbuilding opportunities in the future.”

us navy fast catamaran

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 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 additional Spearhead -class EPF is under construction at Austal USA’s shipyard; the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), while the future USNS Cody (EPF 14) is scheduled to commence construction before the end of the year.

In addition to the EPF program, Austal USA is contracted to deliver 19 Independence -class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy. Twelve Independence -class LCSs have been delivered, with an additional five ships in various stages of construction and two contracted but yet to start.

IODS 2024

Related Articles

U.S. Navy Secretary Visits Hanwha Ocean to Discuss MRO Business

U.S. Navy Secretary Visits Hanwha Ocean to Discuss MRO Business

U.S. Navy Accepts Delivery of 18th Independence-variant LCS

U.S. Navy Accepts Delivery of 18th Independence-variant LCS

Thales delivers first CAPTAS-4 sonar for the US Navy

Thales delivers first CAPTAS-4 sonar for the US Navy

Navy Naval News Navy Recognition

  • International Naval & Maritime Defense Exhibitions 2020
  • Euronaval 2022 TV - Pictures
  • NAVDEX 2023 News Official Online Show Daily
  • NAVDEX 2023 TV Official Web Television
  • DIMDEX 2022 News Official Show Daily
  • DIMDEX 2022 TV Official Web Television
  • DSEI 2021 News Show Daily
  • DEFEA 2021 Naval TV Official Web Television
  • NAVDEX 2021 News Official Online Show Daily
  • NAVDEX 2021 TV Official Web Television
  • SEAFUTURE 2021 News Official Online Show Daily
  • SEAFUTURE 2021 TV Official Web Television
  • EURONAVAL 2020 News Show Daily
  • EURONAVAL 2020 TV Web Television
  • DIMDEX 2020 News Official Online Show Daily
  • DIMDEX 2020 TV Official Web Televison
  • 2020 Archives
  • DSEI 2019 Naval Zone TV Web Television Pictures
  • IMDS 2019 TV Web Television pictures video
  • IMDEX 2019 TV Web Television Pictures
  • LIMA 2019 TV Web Television Pictures
  • NAVDEX 2019 Official News Online Show Daily
  • DIMDEX 2018
  • Sea Air Space 2018
  • Balt Military Expo 2018
  • Euronaval 2018
  • MAST Asia 2017
  • IMDEX Asia 2017
  • Sea Air Space 2017
  • NAVDEX 2017
  • DIMDEX 2016
  • Euronaval 2016
  • Balt Military Expo 2016
  • Sea Air Space 2016
  • NAVDEX 2015
  • Sea Air Space 2015
  • PACIFIC 2015
  • Euronaval 2014
  • Balt Military Expo 2014
  • Indomarine 2014
  • Sea Air Space 2014
  • DIMDEX 2014
  • DEFEXPO 2014
  • NAVDEX 2013
  • DIMDEX 2012
  • Maritime Reconnaissance 2012
  • OPV Offshore Patrol Vessels 2012
  • IndoMarine 2012
  • Euronaval 2012
  • Naval Defense News TV
  • Advertising
  • South Africa
  • Frigates and Corvettes
  • Patrol Vessels
  • Destroyers and Frigates
  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Patrol/Small Fighting ships
  • Weapons & Systems
  • Cruisers Destroyers Frigates
  • Frigates and Destroyers
  • Special Purpose/Supply Vessels
  • Aircraft Carriers & Amphibious Vessels
  • Naval equipment
  • Corvettes and OPV
  • Amphibious ships
  • Cruisers/Destroyers
  • Frigates/LCS
  • Naval Aviation
  • Corvettes/Patrol Vessels
  • Naval Exercises
  • Naval Technology
  • Army Recognition
  • Air Recognition
  • Digital Database

Navy Recognition Official Online Show Daily News DIMDEX 2024 naval defense exhibition Doha Qatar

  • Naval Defense Global News
  • Naval News May 2022 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry

Austal to build new Expeditionary Fast Transport ship for US Navy

Naval news year 2022 defense maritime navy forces industry.

According to information published by Austal on May 4, 2022, the firm announced that it was awarded a $230.5 million contract for the detailed design and construction of EPF 16, the Navy’s newest Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Russian Vyborg Shipyard laid the Purga ice class coastguard ship of project 23550 925 001

Austal USA has successfully delivered 12 EPFs, on schedule and on budget. Three additional EPFs are currently under construction. EPFs have demonstrated their operational capability to conduct a variety of missions including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security, surveillance, command and control, and counter-narcotic missions around the globe.

The inherent versatility of the EPF design allows for its mission to be tailored to the needs of each fleet and combatant commander’s geographic command.

EPF 16 will be the third ship constructed in the Flight II configuration. Flight II ships will enhance the original capabilities of the Spearhead class through incorporation of reconfigurable spaces for operating rooms and postsurgical recovery efforts. Combined with the ship’s flight deck that is capable of landing V-22 aircraft, Flight II ships provide unmatched versatility.

Construction efforts on EPF 16 are expected to commence later this year with delivery projected for 2025. Austal USA is currently under contract to build additional EPFs, the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, and the Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue ships (T-ATS) and is supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced machinery control system.

The EPF is an aluminum twin-hull catamaran shell containing four diesel engines, rudimentary facilities for up to 40 crewmembers, and 312 airline-style passenger seats. The vessel has a length of 103 m, a beam of 28.5 m and a draft of 3.83 m, and a displacement of 1,515 tons.

EPF is powered by four MTU 20V8000 M71L diesel engines driving four Wartsila WLD 1400 SR waterjets via four ZF 60000NR2H reduction gears. She can reach a maximum speed of 43 knots (80 km/h) with a maximum cruising range of 1,200 nautical miles (2,200 km).

Navy Recognition Official Online Show Daily News DIMDEX 2024 naval defense exhibition Doha Qatar

web stats

  • Cover Letters
  • Jobs I've Applied To
  • Saved Searches
  • Subscriptions
  • Marine Corps
  • Coast Guard
  • Space Force
  • Military Podcasts
  • Benefits Home
  • Military Pay and Money
  • Veteran Health Care
  • VA eBenefits
  • Veteran Job Search
  • Military Skills Translator
  • Upload Your Resume
  • Veteran Employment Project
  • Vet Friendly Employers
  • Career Advice
  • Military Life Home
  • Military Trivia Game
  • Veterans Day
  • Spouse & Family
  • Military History
  • Discounts Home
  • Featured Discounts
  • Veterans Day Restaurant Discounts
  • Electronics
  • Join the Military Home
  • Contact a Recruiter
  • Military Fitness

US Navy HSV 2 Swift Catamaran

HSV 2 Swift is one of US Military Sealift Command's two High- Speed Vessels and is part of the 26 ships in US Military Sealift Command's Prepositioning Program. HSV 2 Swift is capable of maintaining an average speed of 35 knots (65 km/h) or greater, loaded with 500 short tons, consisting of 350 personnel and military equipment. A minimum operating range of 1100 nautical miles (2,037 km) at 35 knots (65 km/h) was required by the contract, as was a minimum transit range of 4000 nautical miles (7,408 km) at an average speed of 20 knots (37 km/h). Furthermore, she is capable of 24 hour operations at slow speeds (3-10 knots) (6-19 km/h) for experimentation with unmanned autonomous vehicles, and to support dedicated and emerging organic mine warfare missions.

Related Videos

Military videos.

  • Shock & Awe
  • Military.com Originals
  • Fitness Videos
  • Military Life
  • Most Popular

Select Service

  • National Guard

Most Popular Videos

us navy fast catamaran

A decommissioned World War II-era destroyer docked near downtown Buffalo in New York is taking on water and listing...

us navy fast catamaran

The final trailer for "Top Gun: Maverick," the sequel to Tony Scott's 1986 blockbuster smash, "Top Gun," which cemented...

us navy fast catamaran

Vast swaths of Ukraine have been transformed into potential crime scenes. Each day, the tragedies multiply, creating an insurmountable...

Popular Video Categories

  • Sniper Videos, Sniper Rifles, Sniper Kills: The Best of the Best
  • Guns and Weapons
  • Vietnam War
  • Afghanistan
  • Special Operations
  • World War II

Military.com Original Video Series

VIDEO: Marathon Targets - Robots on the Range

  • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East

us navy fast catamaran

US approves sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey

CROATIA – UH-60M BLACK HAWK HELICOPTERS

US approves $500M deal for sale of eight Black Hawks to Croatia

us navy fast catamaran

Czech Republic & US ink historic deal for 24 F-35 aircraft

Tomahawk missile launch from submarine

Japan, US finalize $1.7B deal for 400 Tomahawk missiles

us navy fast catamaran

Turkey receives TCG Istanbul, its first locally-built frigate

us navy fast catamaran

Saab lands $101M contract for T-7A Red Hawk fuselage production

us navy fast catamaran

First C-130J-30 Super Hercules delivered to Georgia Air National Guard

us navy fast catamaran

Germany advances development of a new air defense system based on Boxer IFV

us navy fast catamaran

DragonFire laser achieves UK’s first high-power aerial target firing

us navy fast catamaran

Swedish Armed Forces secure tank simulators in partnership with KNDS

German Army Puma IFV

Germany buys medium-caliber ammunition for Puma infantry fighting vehicles

us navy fast catamaran

Sweden places order for mobile short-range air defense system

us navy fast catamaran

UK Navy upgrades Type 45 destroyers Sea Viper defense system

us navy fast catamaran

USS McFaul wraps up 8-month deployment, including mission off Israel’s coasts

us navy fast catamaran

USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120) makes Aegis history with simultaneous multi-target engagement

Recommended, us navy funds conversion of catamaran transport to an autonomous vessel.

USNS Millinocket in South China Sea

The US Navy has awarded Austal USA a $44 million contract modification to integrate and demonstrate autonomous capability for one of the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) ships currently being built.

Austal is the primary contractor on the shallow-draft, all-aluminum, commercial-based catamaran program and has so far delivered 12 vessels in the class to the navy.

The autonomy package will be introduced on the 13th EPF ship, the future USNS Apalachicola, which is currently under construction at Austal USA’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard.

“Winning a $44 million contract is welcome from a revenue perspective, but strategically this contract award is even more significant for Austal,” CEO Paddy Gregg said.

“Autonomous vessel capability has been identified as an area of strategic importance by the US Navy, so it is promising for Austal that the US Navy has awarded Austal USA a contract for the design, procurement, production implementation and demonstration of autonomous capability of one of our vessels, the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) 13, the future USNS Apalachicola.”

Austal did not elaborate on what degree of autonomy USNS Apalachicola will have following the conversion.

In a report from July 2020, the House Armed Services Committee said the navy initially expects these vessels to be minimally manned rather than fully unmanned in order to maximize concept of operations (CONOPS) development. The committee recommended the navy to modify existing mature manned ships to support autonomous operations in order to develop CONOPS rather than procuring new ships that will need to support manned operations, but will eventually be fully unmanned.

By featuring autonomy systems, EPF 13 is joining the Ghost Fleet Overlord vessels , which are former commercial ocean-going vessels integrated with equipment on board to create unmanned surface vessels.

EPFs are capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. Each vessel includes a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations. The ships are capable of interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, as well as on/off-loading vehicles such as a fully combat-loaded Abrams main battle tank.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

us navy fast catamaran

Oshkosh Defense secures $39.5M contract for additional ROGUE-Fires deliveries to US Marine Corps

us navy fast catamaran

Australia set to launch local production of GMLRS rockets

us navy fast catamaran

Canada picks winning bidder for modernizing logistics vehicle project

us navy fast catamaran

France orders 42 Rafale fighters

Spanish Air Force Project Halcon Typhoon

Germany lifts Eurofighter sales embargo to Saudi Arabia

us navy fast catamaran

Austria awards Rheinmetall €532M contract for next-gen Skyguard air defense system

us navy fast catamaran

Navy Wants To Sideline Its Fast Transport Catamarans As Pacific Fight Looms

Congress wants the Navy to stop reducing the readiness of its Spearhead class transports and to make a plan for them in the Pacific.

Members of Congress are trying to prevent the Navy from reducing the readiness of Spearhead class expeditionary fast transport ships and to force the service to find new roles and missions for them in the Pacific.

FranticGoat

Members of Congress are trying to block the Navy from putting just under half of its fleet of Spearhead class expeditionary fast transports into a state of reduced readiness with only skeleton crews assigned to them. Some of the vessels in question are very young, with one having first entered service just three years ago. This comes as the U.S. military is coming to terms with massive logistical hurdles if it were to go to war in the Pacific, which these fast, low-draft, multi-purpose vessels seem to be ideally suited for.

Because of this glaring disconnect, lawmakers are also pushing for a legal requirement for the service to develop and implement a formal concept of operations for utilizing these catamaran transport vessels in the Pacific.

Provisions relating to the Spearhead class ships are contained in the version of the annual defense policy bill, or National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), for Fiscal Year 2024 that the House of Representatives passed in July . The Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA that the Senate passed last month does not include any such language relating to these vessels, and the two chambers are now in the process of trying to reconcile their bills.

The <em>Spearhead</em> class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS <em>Choctaw County</em>. <em>USN</em>

If the language found in the House bill makes it into the final NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024, and is then signed into law by President Joe Biden, the Navy would be prevented from using any funds to place Spearheads on so-called Reduced Operating Status (ROS). The service would also be required to "develop and implement a strategy and concept of operations for the use of expeditionary fast transport vessels in support of operational plans in the area of operations of United States Indo-Pacific Command" within 180 days of the law's passage. The Chief of Naval Operations would have 30 days to "submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing such [a] strategy and concept of operations."

The full test of the section on the Navy's Spearhead class ships from the version of the Fiscal Year 24 NDAA that House of Representatives passed in July. <em>US Congress</em>

In its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024 , the Navy outlined plans to transition five Spearheads – USNS Choctaw County , USNS Trenton , USNS Carson City , USNS Yuma , and USNS Newport – to ROS. The service says doing so would save it just under $17.6 million, which it could then redirect to other priorities. The oldest of these ships, USNS Choctaw County , entered service in 2013. The youngest of them, USNS Newport , was commissioned in 2020.

The Navy has already placed two Spearhead class ships, the USNS Spearhead and USNS Fall River , on ROS. The service has different tiers of ROS, but they all involve truncating a ship's assigned crew and reducing its readiness state. Officially, the Navy categorizes any ship on ROS that is capable of being reactivated within 45 days or less as inactive, but still on the rolls. Spearhead and Fall River are both reportedly being kept on so-called "ROS 45" status, the lowest level of 'inactive' readiness.

USNS <em>Spearhead</em>, which was placed on ROS in 2020, seen off the coast of Panama in 2016. A US Army Black Hawk helicopter is also seen at right. <em>USN</em>

So, at least on paper, the Navy currently has 13 Spearhead class ships, also known by the abbreviation EPF. The first of these were commissioned in 2012. The latest of these ships, the USNS Apalachicola , just entered service in February of this year.

Leveraging its experience with commercial high-speed ferry designs, Australian shipbuilder Austal's U.S. subsidiary developed and built the Spearhead class ships , which typically have a crew of around 42 people. These aluminum-hulled vessels displace around 2,362 tons, can cruise at around 35 knots, have a top speed of some 43 knots, and are designed to be readily reconfigurable to the mission at hand. Each one has a multi-purpose 20,000 square-foot mission bay, as well as a rear flight deck able to accommodate various helicopters and a stern ramp for loading and unloading vehicles, personnel, and cargo.

A graphic offering a general overview of the <em>Spearhead</em> class design. <em>DOD</em>

Austal USA is in the process of building two additional Flight II Spearheads for the Navy and the service has a third one on order now. These Spearhead subvariants will have expanded medical capabilities and strengthened flight decks able to allow Osprey tilt-rotors to take off and land. The Navy is also looking to acquire a trio of Bethesda class expeditionary medical ships , a dedicated medical vessel variant derived from the Flight II Spearhead .

A rendering of the Flight II Spearhead class design. <em>Austal USA</em>

With all this in mind, it might seem odd that the Navy is now looking to significantly scale back its use of the Spearheads , which are currently assigned to its Military Sealift Command and are crewed by civilian mariners. However, the service's current plans for ships very much speak to their somewhat obtuse history and long-building uncertainty about their role and mission.

Officially, the current mission of the Spearhead class ships is to "provide high-speed, agile lift capability to deliver operationally ready units to small, austere ports and flexibly support a wide range of missions including humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, theater security cooperation, maritime domain awareness, and noncombatant evacuations," according to the Navy . "They enable the rapid transit and deployment of conventional and special forces, equipment, and supplies in support of maneuver and sustainment operations."

Originally known as Joint High-Speed Vessels (JHSV), the Spearhead class was a product of U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps requirements dating back to the early 2000s. Initially, there was an expectation that some of these ships would be operated by the Army itself as part of its obscure, but actually quite capable watercraft fleet, which you can read more about here .

In the 2000s, the Navy also chartered a number of commercial catamaran ferries to explore the potential utility of vessels like this in various combat and non-combat contexts, largely in support of the JHSV program. In 2012, the service also received two other Austal-designed ferries from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). Both of those ships, referred to as High-Speed Transports (HST), remain in inventory, though one has been on loan to a commercial ferry operator in Canada since 2016.

One of the Navy's two High-Speed Transports, the USNS <em>Guam</em>. <em>USN</em>

Over the past two decades or so, the Spearheads and their immediate predecessors have certainly demonstrated the ability to perform a wide array of missions. For instance, two of the earlier chartered catamaran ferries, known during their time in Navy service as the Joint Venture and Swift , were used in particularly novel roles, including as small special operations seabase ships and at sea-based launch platforms for tethered surveillance blimps.

<em>Swift</em> in 2013 with a tethered surveillance blimp installed on its stern flight deck. <em>USN</em>

The Spearhead class ships have also been explored as special operations support platforms, as well as floating forward-deployed repair facilities for smaller warships like Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). There has been talk in the past about potentially fitting these ships with more robust weapons. The Navy at one time planned to at least use one of the ships to test its now-defunct electromagnetic railgun . Austal has previously shown concept art of an uncrewed Spearhead derivative with arrays of vertical launch system cells for firing various kinds of missiles, too.

Artwork depicting the <em>Spearhead</em> class USNS&nbsp;<em>Millinocket</em> with an electromagnetic railgun installed in a test fixture on its rear flight deck.&nbsp;<em>USN</em>

However, the Spearheads have still not seen significant integration into routine day-to-day Navy operations in the past decade and they have generally been used just as transports. The use of the USNS Millinocket recently to bring materiel to Australia in support of the Talisman Sabre 23 exercise reflects how these ships are generally employed at present.

USNS&nbsp;<em>Millinocket</em> in Australia in July 2023 supporting Talisman Sabre 23. <em>USMC</em>

As a prime example of apparent Navy disinterest in more novel applications of these ships, the recently delivered USNS Apalachicola has a full suite of systems to enable crew-optional operations, but the service has no current plans to make use of those capabilities. You can read more about this particular ship and its unique features here .

“I think one step at a time. In terms of that ship, it has the capability but we will integrate into fleet in a very deliberate manner,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday told reporters at the WEST 2023 conference in February, according to USNI News . "We won’t have a deployment and unmanned and an unmanned deployment right off the bat."

USNS <em>Apalachicola</em>. <em>Austal USA</em>

There are certainly questions about the value of a commercial ferry-derived design in a future high-end conflict, such as one in the Pacific against China. Scenarios like this are dominating planning discussions across the U.S. military at present.

The potential vulnerability of ships like the Spearhead class was highlighted in 2016, one of the catamaran ferries the Navy had previously chartered, the ex- Swift , was destroyed by an anti-ship missile off the coast of Yemen. The vessel was in service with the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates at the time and was supporting operations against Yemen's Houthi rebels. What was left of the ship was subsequently towed to a port in Greece, where the hulk remains.

At the same time, even in the broader context of a larger-scale conflict, Spearhead class ships could still provide valuable intratheater sealift capacity in lower-threat environments or under a protective umbrella provided by other assets. This could also then help free up more robust sealift ships for use elsewhere.

In addition, the ability of the Spearhead class ships to be relatively rapidly reconfigured for different mission sets gives them additional flexibility. This could potentially include providing additional 'magazine depth' for kinetic strikes missions through the installation of modular weapon systems or the positioning of existing mobile launch systems on its stern flight deck, with targeting data fed in from offboard sources.

The video below shows a U.S. Marine Corps M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher being fired from the flight deck of a San Antonio class amphibious warfare ship.

Furthermore, the Navy itself has clearly identified the core Spearhead class design as a useful way of augmenting critical expeditionary medical capabilities.

All of this also comes amidst concerns that have been building for years now about the Navy's overall sealift capacity and its ability to surge additional assets , including ones held in various states of reduced readiness, in the event of a major conflict or contingency. Beyond that, the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as the Army , continue to have their specific requirements for lower-tier intratheater sealift support for combat and non-combat missions, particularly in the Pacific .

Just in the past few years, the U.S. Marine Corps has identified an all-new requirement for dozens of additional middle-tier transport vessels specifically to support its new expeditionary and distributed concepts of operation. The Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO) concept centers heavily on the ability of Marine contingents to rapidly deploy to remote or austere locations , including in maritime and littoral environments , and then just as quickly redeploy elsewhere as required to reduce their vulnerability and otherwise make it difficult to opponents to respond effectively.

Spearhead class ships have been used to support counter-narcotics operations and to help shuttle U.S. military units around for various types of training exercises and other regional engagement activities in Latin America. They could provide a similarly useful 'presence' in the Pacific region.

Altogether, it is very hard to see the Spearheads as being anything else but well-suited to meeting a host of needs the U.S. military has when it comes to the Pacific region, both in peacetime and in war. The ships are, on average, relatively young, and have limited crew requirements to begin with, too.

The potential cost savings from putting a significant number of Spearheads on ROS look to be small in the context of the overall U.S. defense budget. As of 2021, the Pentagon pegged the annual operating cost of a single one of these ships at around $20.3 million , which is relatively cheap by naval vessel standards . Beyond that, as already noted, the Navy says it stands to free up less than $20 million in Fiscal Year 2024 by putting five of these ships into a state of reduced readiness.

This all helps explain why the House, in its version of the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA, wants to compel the Navy to look deeply into the Spearhead class's roles and missions, with a particular eye toward future operations in the Pacific, in addition to preventing the service from placing any more of those ships on ROS. Whether that language makes it into the final reconciled NDAA, and if that bill is then signed into law by President Biden, remains to be seen.

Whatever ultimately happens on the legislative front could have significant ramifications for the future of the Navy's Spearhead class ships.

Contact the author: [email protected]

stripe

Choose Location

  • Austal: Corporate
  • United States
  • Philippines

Search form

  • High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV)
  • Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)
  • Expeditionary Fast Transport
  • Autonomous Ships
  • Cape Class Patrol Boat (Austal Patrol 58)
  • Guardian Class Patrol Boat
  • Passenger Express 30
  • Passenger Express 50 (Brave Line)
  • Passenger Express 56 (FRS)
  • Passenger Express 83 - Queen Beetle
  • Vehicle Passenger Ferries
  • Wind Farm and Offshore
  • Full Vessel Listing
  • Motion Control
  • General Refit & Repairs
  • Full Service Slipways
  • Contract Maintenance
  • Spare Parts
  • Brokerage (Austal Marketplace)
  • Consultancy Services
  • Through Life Capability Management
  • Austal Technical Bulletins
  • Production Facilities
  • Ships · Systems · Support
  • Our Customers
  • Austal Giving
  • Health, Safety, Environment and Quality
  • The Austal Advantage™
  • Careers at Austal
  • Current Vacancies
  • Corporate Profile
  • Executive and Board of Directors
  • Corporate Governance
  • ASX Announcements
  • Financial Reports and Presentations
  • Australian Share Price (ASX Live Feed)
  • FAQ's - ADR Program
  • Annual General Meeting
  • Analyst Information
  • Ownership Summary
  • Trading Statistics
  • Balance Sheet
  • Income Statement
  • Media Releases
  • Reviews and Related Information
  • Latest Images
  • Concepts / Renders
  • Vessel Exteriors
  • Launches / Construction
  • Vessel Interiors
  • Events / Functions
  • Upcoming Events, Exhibitions and Shows
  • Bajamar Express & Bañaderos Express

us navy fast catamaran

FUTURE USNS NEWPORT - TWELFTH EXPEDITIONARY FAST TRANSPORT (EPF 12) FOR US NAVY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES ACCEPTANCE TRIALS

us navy fast catamaran

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

4 AUGUST 2020

FUTURE USNS NEWPORT - TWELFTH EXPEDITIONARY FAST TRANSPORT (EPF 12) FOR THE US NAVY - SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES ACCEPTANCE TRIALS

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that the future USNS Newport (EPF 12) has successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. USNS Newport is the 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ship built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, for the United States Navy (USN).

Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the successful completion of acceptance trials for EPF 12 was yet another important milestone for a program that has seen 11 vessels delivered to the US Navy in less than 8 years.

“Austal’s EPF high-speed catamaran is a true success story, proving to be an invaluable addition to the US Navy’s sealift capability worldwide,” Mr Singleton said.

“Newport will soon join a fleet of 11 EPF vessels that are making a real difference to communities around the world, through a variety of missions and exercises conducted by US Military Sealift Command for the US Navy.”

Acceptance trials involve the execution of a number of tests by the Austal USA-led industry team while the vessel is underway; demonstrating to the US Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. The trials are last significant milestone before delivery of the vessel, scheduled for August 2020.

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. With seven EPF’s currently deployed internationally, the Austal-designed EPF’s support a wide range of missions – from maritime security operations to humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The ship’s flexibility also allows it to support potential future missions such as special operations, command and control, and primary medical operations.

One additional Spearhead-class EPF is under construction at Austal USA’s shipyard; the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) while the future USNS Cody (EPF 14) is scheduled to commence construction in August 2020.

In addition to the EPF program, Austal USA is contracted to deliver 19 Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy. Twelve Independence-class LCSs have been delivered, with an additional five ships in various stages of construction.

us navy fast catamaran

The future USNS Newport (EPF 12) was constructed by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama (Images: Austal)

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by David Singleton, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.

Media Contact:

Cameron Morse +61 433 886 871

[email protected]  

Further Information

  • USA Investors - ADR Program
  • Financial Fundamentals
  • Image Library

Corporate Headquarters

100 Clarence Beach Road Henderson, Western Australia, 6166, Australia

P: +61 8 9410 1111 F: +61 8 9410 2564

© Copyright 2024 Austal, All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy

us navy fast catamaran

HSV-2 Swift – The Navy’s Proof Of Concept Catamaran

us navy fast catamaran

Catamarans have long held a beloved place in Naval tradition. Capable of staying mostly above the water, a catarmaran reduces friction with the water by allowing the water to pass beneath it in channels. When the Navy first came up with the idea of engineering a hybrid naval catamaran, the HSV-2 Swift, they envisioned a military ship able to work on anti-mine operations. Furthermore, the HSV-2 Swift would serve as a useful testing platform for naval technology . In 2008, Australian ship builder Incat produced the first and only modern naval hybrid catamaran. The United States Navy employed the craft for ten years before selling it to the United Arab Emirates for dredging operations.

The acronym “HSV” stands for “High Speed Vessel”. Because a hybrid catamaran would stay above the water, its aluminum hull and light weight made it an ideal platform for helicopters and unmanned aerial and naval vehicles. When it first launched from Norfolk, Virginia in October of 2003, the Navy envisioned a class of warship able to quickly manuever to the front lines and disable mines or launch a wave of UAVs and helicopters into action.

The first of this class of vessel, the HSV-1 Joint Venture, saw action in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The HSV-1 Joint Venture acted as a forward staging platform for U.S. Special Forces and Navy SEALS in the acquisition of Umm Qasr, Iraq, a key shipping port that needed to be taken intact.

HSV-2 Swift

As for the HSV-2 Swift, it managed to break records for the fastest transit from the Northern Great Barrier Reef to Booby Island. The Swift averaged 39 knots across the area. It also served as a recovery ship for aircraft. Furthermore, the Swift worked to great effect in disaster relief from the 2005 tsunami in Northern Sumatra.

HSV-2 Swift

Despite a decent record of service, this particular style of hybrid catamaran was sold off by the U.S. Navy in favor of a new Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport. The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport was a heavier catamaran craft capable of launching more airborne and sea vehicles. The USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1) launched in 2011 just in time for the HSV-2 Swift to be decommissioned and sold off to the United Arab Emirates in 2013.

The HSV-2 Swift was never meant as a combat ship. Its armament was purely defensive with only four emplacements for manned .50 caliber machine guns. Of a crew of 35, the majority of the focus of the ship’s activities was centered on logistics and recovery of downed aircraft at sea. It could hold up to 107 people with additional berthing available for another 35, making it an ideal place for a temporary command and control center.

HSV-2 Swift

Combat Damage off Yemen:

After being acquired by the United Arab Emirates in 2013, ostensibly for non-militarized dredging operations, it was invariably struck by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Undoubtedly, it was acting as a forward naval operating base for Saudi-backed forces in the area and was thus designated a target. On October 1, 2016, multiple news sources reported that the HSV-2 Swift, while under lease to the United Arab Emirates, was struck by a missile. It was located off-shore from the port city of Mokha, Yemen.

The ship sustained heavy damage, including the loss of crew. The type of missile fired is still unknown. According to news sources from the area, the HSV-2 Swift was towed back to friendly waters to be refitted and repaired.

Powerplant:

Caterpillar 3618 marine diesel engines powered the HSV-2 Swift. Each Caterpillar 3618 engine produces up to 9,655 hp (7198.77 kw).

See HSV-2 Swift Specifications

Please enable javascript in your browser to visit this site..

IMAGES

  1. Austal va réaliser un 15ème catamaran de transport rapide pour l'US

    us navy fast catamaran

  2. First Round of Testing for $214 Milllion US Navy Catamaran Completed

    us navy fast catamaran

  3. Military News Clip

    us navy fast catamaran

  4. Incat

    us navy fast catamaran

  5. [Doku] Moderne Wunder: Mega-Schiffe [HD]

    us navy fast catamaran

  6. File:US Navy 031104-N-0000S-001 High Speed Vessel Two (HSV 2) Swift is

    us navy fast catamaran

VIDEO

  1. 17 Xcel Navy Fast tourn; Libero #5

  2. HELLENIC NAVY FAST ATTACK CRAFTS

  3. US Navy fast attack submarine surfacing the Arctic Circle

  4. About us

  5. US Powerful Submarine Torpedo Destroys Massive US Navy Ship During Training

  6. 17 Xcel navy Fast tourn; Libero #5

COMMENTS

  1. Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport

    The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) is a United States Navy-led shipbuilding program to provide a high-speed, shallow draft vessel intended for rapid intra-theater transport of medium-sized cargo payloads. The EPFs can reach speeds of 35-45 knots (65-83 km/h; 40-52 mph), and allow the rapid transit and deployment of conventional or special forces, equipment and supplies.

  2. Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF)

    The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) is a shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamaran capable of intra-theater personnel and cargo lift, providing combatant commanders high-speed sealift

  3. USNS Spearhead

    Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport: Length: 103.0 m (337 ft 11 in) Beam: 28.5 m (93 ft 6 in) Draft: 3.83 m (12 ft 7 in) Propulsion: ... is the lead ship of the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport to be operated by the United States Navy ' s Military Sealift Command. USNS Spearhead was christened on 17 September 2011. Design

  4. HSV-2 Swift (High Speed Vehicle)

    Image courtesy of Incat. The HSV-2 Swift (HSV 2) is a chartered high-speed vessel of the US Navy Military Sealift Command. The hybrid wave piercing catamaran was designed and built by Bollinger / Incat in Hobart, Tasmania. It is the fourth high speed catamaran built by the partners, after HMAS Jervis Bay, HSV X1 Joint Venture and TSV 1X Spearhead.

  5. Naval Sea Systems Command > Home > Team Ships > PEO Ships

    The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) shipbuilding program provides high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. The EPF, formerly designated the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), is a shallow draft, all aluminum ...

  6. U.S. Navy's Twin-hull Catamaran

    The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) is a United States Navy-led shipbuilding program to provide a high-speed, shallow draft vessel intende...

  7. Spearhead Class Expeditionary Fast Transport Vessels

    The first three vessels were named Spearhead T-EPF 1 (ex-JHSV 1), Vigilant (T-EPF 2) and Fortitude (T-EPF 3) in July 2009. Construction of Vigilant and Fortitude was authorised by the US Navy in January 2010. The keel for the first ship in the class, USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1), was laid at Austal's shipyard at Mobile, Alabama, in July 2010.

  8. USNS Newport

    USNS Newport (T-EPF-12) is the twelfth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport and is operated by the United States Navy ' s Military Sealift Command. It is the fourth ship in naval service named after Newport, Rhode Island. On 20 February 2020, USNS Newport was launched at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.

  9. High-Speed Transport > United States Navy > Displayy-FactFiles

    Last updated: 13 Oct 2021. Share. PRINT. RSS. Point of Contact Military Sealift Command Public Affairs. 471 East C St. Norfolk, VA 23511-2419. (757) 443-2839. Point of Contact. 471 East C St ...

  10. The USA's Spearhead-class, expeditionary fast transports

    USN shows JHSV. March 20/19: Shipyad Availability Colonna Shipyards won an $8.9 million deal for an 80-day shipyard availability for the emergency dry-docking of Navy Ship Spearhead (T-EPF 1). The Spearhead Class Expeditionary Fast Transport shipbuilding program to provide "a platform intended to support users in the Department of the Navy ...

  11. Austal USA Delivers 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport

    Austal USA Delivers 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship to U.S. Navy Austal Limited is pleased to announce that USNS Newport (EPF 12) has been delivered to the United States Navy from Austal USA's state-of-the-art shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. Xavier Vavasseur 03 Sep 2020

  12. Austal to build new Expeditionary Fast Transport ship for US Navy

    According to information published by Austal on May 4, 2022, the firm announced that it was awarded a $230.5 million contract for the detailed design and construction of EPF 16, the Navy's newest Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship. Austal USA has successfully delivered 12 EPFs, on schedule and on budget.

  13. US Navy HSV 2 Swift Catamaran

    US Navy HSV 2 Swift Catamaran 14 Jun 2013 | Posted by Member 30298028 HSV 2 Swift is capable of maintaining an average speed of 35 knots (65 km/h) or greater, loaded with 500 short tons ...

  14. US Navy funds conversion of catamaran transport to an autonomous vessel

    The US Navy has awarded Austal USA a $44 million contract modification to integrate and demonstrate autonomous capability for one of the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) ships currently being built. Austal is the primary contractor on the shallow-draft, all-aluminum, commercial-based catamaran program and has so far delivered ...

  15. Navy Wants To Sideline Its Fast Transport Catamarans As Pacific Fight Looms

    Navies. →. U.S. Navy. Navy Wants To Sideline Its Fast Transport Catamarans As Pacific Fight Looms. Congress wants the Navy to stop reducing the readiness of its Spearhead class transports and to make a plan for them in the Pacific. by Joseph Trevithick | PUBLISHEDAug 4, 2023 5:48 PM EDT. Sea News & Features.

  16. USNS Carson City

    USNS Carson City (JHSV-7/T-EPF-7), (ex-Courageous) is the seventh Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, currently in service with the United States Navy ' s Military Sealift Command. She is the second ship in naval service named after Carson City, Nevada.. Carson City was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.The ship was christened at the Austal USA shipyards in Mobile on 16 January ...

  17. Expeditionary Fast Transport (T-EPF)

    The US Navy's Expeditionary Fast Transport (T-EPF) program is procuring 15 high-speed transport vessels from Austal for the fast, intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment with aviation support. ... Catamaran. Length. 103.00 Metres. Capacity. 600 short tons payload. Speed. 35 Knots. Year Delivered. Dec 2012. Work ...

  18. Future Usns Newport

    USNS Newport is the 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ship built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, for the United States Navy (USN). Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the successful completion of acceptance trials for EPF 12 was yet another important milestone for a program that has seen 11 vessels delivered to ...

  19. HSV-2 Swift

    The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport was a heavier catamaran craft capable of launching more airborne and sea vehicles. The USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1) launched in 2011 just in time for the HSV-2 Swift to be decommissioned and sold off to the United Arab Emirates in 2013. ... US Navy Combat Damage off Yemen: After being acquired by the ...

  20. HSV-2 Swift

    HSV-2 Swift is a hybrid catamaran.She was privately owned and operated by Sealift Inc., and was originally built under the JHSV program as a proof of concept.As part of this program, she was directly leased for evaluation from her builders by the United States Navy Military Sealift Command from 2003 to 2013, primarily as a mine countermeasures and sea basing test platform.

  21. JHSV-1 USNS Spearhead: What kind of ship is the Spearhead? The US Navy

    JHSV-1 USNS Spearhead: What kind of ship is the Spearhead? The US Navy's pickup truck of the sea is a catamaran The first ship in its class. It will be join...

  22. US Navy Finally Has Its New Fast Transport Ships To Move ...

    Due to the two hulls, the catamarans remain more resistant to sea waves, having a lower pitching amplitude, and can also have a higher speed. But one of the ...