TSAMTO, November 23. At the Austal USA company's facility in Mobile (Alabama), the baptism ceremony of the EPF (Expeditionary Fast Transport) high-speed expeditionary transport of the "Sperhid" class, intended for the US Navy Maritime Transportation Command, took place.
(T-EPF-13) "Apalachicola" will be the 13th of 15 high-speed expeditionary transports currently ordered by the US Navy, the construction of which must be carried out by Austal. The delivery of the Apalachicola ship is scheduled for the summer of 2022.
EPF (formerly known as JHSV) is a high-speed multi-purpose catamaran-type amphibious assault ship that can be used by the CB, KMP and the US Navy to transport troops, cargo and military equipment (including the M1A2 Abrams MBT), supply units, support special operations, ensure maritime security and conduct humanitarian rescue operations in shallow areas.
As reported by TSAMTO, in November 2008, a contract was signed with Austal for the supply of 10 multi-purpose landing ships JHSV to the US Navy. Their total cost was about $1.6 billion. In September 2016, the US Navy signed an initial contract with Austal USA for the construction of the 11th and 12th transports. On October 19, 2018, the US Navy placed a contract for the purchase of materials and equipment for the 13th ship of the series, and in December 2018 – the 14th. In March 2019, the US Navy signed the main contract with Austal USA for the construction of EPF-13 and EPF-14. Its cost was $261.776 million. In February 2021, a contract was signed with Austal USA for the supply of the 15th ship of the series.
The lead vessel of the series, JHSV-1 "Sperhid", was transferred to the US Navy Maritime Transportation Command on December 5, 2012. To date, 12 ships have been delivered to the customer: the 12th transport, (EPF-12) "Newport", was transferred on September 3, 2020.
Construction of the EPF-13 Apalachicola began on August 19, 2019, and the keel was laid on January 22, 2021. On October 20, 2020, the construction of the (T-EPF-14) "Kodi" began. To date, the cost of the program for the construction of 14 EPF ships exceeds $ 2 billion. As expected, the construction of the 15th vessel, (EPF-15) "Point Loma", will begin at the end of November.
The 103 m long EPF vessel is designed to carry 600 tons of cargo over a distance of 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. The ship can take on board up to 312 people landing on individual seats. The crew is 26 people. Each ship is equipped with a flight deck for receiving various types of helicopters at any time of the day, including the CH-53 Super Stallion. A small draft (less than 15 feet) expands the possibilities of EPF application in the coastal zone and access to ports.
