Click here - to select or create a menu

Naval News

DSEI Japan 2023
  • News
  • Event News
    • SNA 2023
    • Euronaval 2022
    • Indo Pacific 2022
    • Sea Air Space 2022
    • DIMDEX 2022
  • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Advertising
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Home» News»US Navy held 12th EPF Vessel keel laying ceremony
The U.S. Navy held a keel laying and authentication ceremony for its twelfth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, Newport (EPF 12), at Austal USA’s shipyard., Jan. 29. The keel was said to be “truly and fairly laid” as it was authenticated by Charlotte Dorrance Marshall, signing her initials into the keel plate.
US Navy held 12th EPF Vessel keel laying ceremony (Credit: Austal USA)

US Navy held 12th EPF Vessel keel laying ceremony

The U.S. Navy held a keel laying and authentication ceremony for its twelfth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, Newport (EPF 12), at Austal USA’s shipyard., Jan. 29. The keel was said to be “truly and fairly laid” as it was authenticated by Charlotte Dorrance Marshall, signing her initials into the keel plate.

Naval News Staff 30 Jan 2019

“We are excited to celebrate a major milestone in the construction of the 12th EPF of the class,” said Capt. Scot Searles, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. “These ships have proven versatility and capability, allowing them to be strategic assets to our fleet and partners abroad. The milestone we celebrate today is the first of many as we work to deliver another highly capable platform.”

EPFs are non-combatant vessels designed to operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, increasing operational flexibility for a wide range of activities including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, flexible logistics support, or as the key enabler for rapid transport. 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.

EPFs support a variety of missions including the overseas contingency operations, conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supporting special operations forces, and supporting emerging joint sea-basing concepts. 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. Burlington will have airline-style seating for 312 embarked forces with fixed berthing for 104.

USNS Burlington (EPF 10) was delivered in November 2018, and Austal USA is currently in production on Puerto Rico (EPF 11), which was christened in Nov. 2018. The Navy issued Austal long-lead-time material contracts in late 2018 for EPF 13 and EPF 14.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.

Austal Expeditionary Fast Transport Spearhead class US Navy 2019-01-30
Tags Austal Expeditionary Fast Transport Spearhead class US Navy
Facebook Twitter Stumble linkedin Pinterest More

Authors

Posted by : Naval News Staff

Related Articles

U.S. Navy Collecting China’ Surveillance Balloon Debris

U.S. Navy Collecting China’ Surveillance Balloon Debris

Naval News Staff 07 Feb 2023
The U.S. military began collecting the remnants of a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon shot down by an Air Force fighter over the weekend.
At-sea rearming deemed a “Main Priority” by SECNAV

At-sea rearming deemed a “Main Priority” by SECNAV

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa 02 Feb 2023
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro once again emphasized the need for at-sea reloading at this year’s Combat Systems Symposium.
U.S., International Forces Seize Illegal Drugs in Gulf of Oman

U.S., International Forces Seize Illegal Drugs in Gulf of Oman

Naval News Staff 01 Feb 2023
A USGC vessel seized illegal drugs worth a total of $33 million from a vessel transiting international waters in the Gulf of Oman, Jan. 30.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Advertisement

Legal / Privacy Policy
About Us
Contact Us

Copyright © 2022 Naval News
All Rights Reserved