Austal USA launches EPF-12

MOBILE, Ala. - The Navy’s 12th expeditionary fast transport (EPF), future USNS Newport (EPF 12), was launched Feb. 20 from Austal USA’s shipyard, according to the Navy’s Program Executive Office-Ships. EPF launching is a multi-step process. Ship modules are constructed in Austal’s facility, and then transported to an assembly bay. When ready for launch, the ship is transported by heavy-lift machinery to a docking barge in the Mobile River and then onto a floating dry dock. From there, the dry dock is submerged and the ship is launched. The event takes course over two days. “We are excited to get Newport in the water, so we can shift focus to final outfitting and trials,” said Tim Roberts, strategic and theater sealift program manager, PEO-Ships. EPFs can transport 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. Newport is on track to be delivered later in 2020. Austal has also started construction of the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) and is under contract for the future USNS Cody (EPF 14). (Source: Seapower 02/24/20) https://seapowermagazine.org/12th-expeditionary-fast-transport-launched/