TSAMTO, February 17. On February 16, Austal USA announced the transfer to the command of the US Navy of the high-speed expeditionary transport EPF (Expeditionary Fast Transport) of the Sperhid class, (T-EPF-13) Apalachicola.
"Apalachicola" became the 13th of the 16 high-speed expeditionary transports currently ordered by the US Navy, the construction of which should be carried out by Austal USA.
At the moment, the EPF-13 is the largest surface ship in the US Navy, which has autonomy capabilities. In recent months, the ship has sailed five times, which allowed Austal USA and its partners, L3Harris and General Dynamics Mission Systems, to test and evaluate not only conventional ship systems, but also those that are the result of contractual changes to create the EPF-13 as a self-driving prototype. Apalachicola will also be the first EPF ship to be able to receive V-22 Osprey tiltrotor planes and 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIB).
Due to its shallow draft, high speed and maneuverability, the EPF can operate effectively in coastal shallow water areas and is a good prototype for working out elements of self-management for larger vessels.
The basis of the efforts to ensure autonomy has become a highly automated power plant management system (MCS) of Austal USA's own design, which minimizes the number of crew members. Along with other highly automated systems that are installed on EPF ships, Austal USA has added automated maintenance, condition monitoring and readiness for use, which allows the EPF-13 to be operated for 30 days without human intervention.
As reported by TSAMTO, in November 2008, a contract was signed with Austal USA for the supply of 10 multi-purpose landing ships JHSV (now EPF) to the US Navy. The total cost of the order was $1.6 billion. In the period from September 2016 to February 2021, agreements were concluded with Austal USA for the supply of ships from the 11th to the 15th. In May 2022, a contract worth $230.545 million was signed with Austal USA for the development of a technical project and the construction of the 16th ship.
The lead ship 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.
The main contract for the construction of EPF-13 and EPF-14 was signed by the US Navy with Austal USA in March 2019. Construction of the EPF-13 Apalachicola began on August 19, 2019, keel laying took place on January 22, 2021, epiphany – November 13, 2021.
The 103 m long EPF ship can carry 600 tons of cargo over a distance of 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. Up to 312 paratroopers can be accommodated on board in 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.
