The American fleet is preparing to be replenished with a new generation of transport catamarans in the coming years. Yesterday, January 28, the portal navaltoday.com He announced that the first vessel of the updated Spearhead project, EPF Flight II, was laid at the Austal USA shipyard.
A key feature of the second generation of high-speed transport vessels (Expeditious Fast Transport, EPF) will be an expanded medical zone — a mini-hospital will be equipped on the ship, which will allow providing assistance without the need to transport people to land.
Launching of the Newport vessel (EPF 12)
The rest of the EPF Flight II will retain the capabilities of the previous generation - the delivery of 600 tons of cargo over a distance of up to 1200 miles with a cruising speed of 35 knots. Thanks to a special ramp, this vessel is also capable of transporting heavy armored vehicles, including Abrams tanks.
Spearhead type catamarans are capable of transporting tanks
Image source: facebook.com/AustalUSA
Spearhead-type vessels are shaped like catamarans and are used as auxiliary units of the Navy (not included in the combat team). The displacement of each of the vessels exceeds 1,500 tons, while they can carry up to 600 tons of payload, have a platform and a hangar for a helicopter. Due to the high maximum speed of 43 knots (80 km/h), these vessels are used for the rapid transfer of cargo, equipment, equipment and personnel of the US Navy.
