Austal Delivers Eighth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF8) To The United States Navy

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce the United States Navy (USN) has accepted delivery of USNS Yuma (EPF 8) during a ceremony held aboard the ship at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, USA.

USNS Yuma, named after the City of Yuma, Arizona, is the eighth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel designed and constructed by Austal for the USN, under a contract for twelve vessels worth in excess of US$1.9 billion.

Announcing the vessel delivery, Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the EPF program is a clear demonstration of Austal’s ability to design, construct and support innovative defence vessels.

“The EPF platform continues to impress both operators and end-users with its unique, multi-mission capabilities and is now leading US Navy and other humanitarian missions, traditionally led by single- purpose logistics vessels,” Singleton said.

“USNS Yuma is the latest addition to a growing fleet of ‘smart ships’ that Austal is delivering globally, on-time and on-budget,” Singleton added.

The EPF platform provides the USN with a high-speed, intra-theatre transport capability. The 103 metre long Yuma is an all-aluminium military catamaran capable of transporting troops, vehicles and cargo up to 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. With a shallow draft, the vessel is designed to operate in austere ports and waterways, providing added flexibility to the USN. The EPF’s flight deck can also support flight operations for a wide variety of aircraft, including a CH-53 Super Stallion.

Three Spearhead-class EPF vessels remain under construction at Austal USA, including the future USNS City of Bismarck (EPF 9), to be christened in May 2017. Modules for Burlington (EPF 10) and Puerto Rico (EPF 11) are under construction in Austal’s module manufacturing facility (MMF).

USNS Yuma (EPF 8) has been delivered to the US Navy following a ceremony held at Austal USA’s Mobile Alabama shipyard. (Image: Austal)

-ENDS-

About Austal

Austal is a global defence prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defence and commercial ships. For more than 28 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for governments, navies and ferry operators around the world. More than 255 vessels have been delivered in that time.

Ships

Defence vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships for the U.S. Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Border Force. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Mobile, Alabama and in Henderson, Western Australia.

Austal has been at the forefront of the high speed ferry market since the early days of the industry. Our market leading designs of high performance aluminium vessels have long been at the heart of Austal’s research and development. Today, commercial ship construction is centred on our shipyard in Balamban, Philippines.

Systems

Austal has expertise in integrating complex systems into its ships, including ride control, ship management, and communication, sensors and weapon systems.

Support

Austal provides a wide range of support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel  sustainment  and systems  support. These  services  are delivered through our global support network in the USA, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East together with partner shipyards worldwide.