Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF)

In November 2008, Austal was awarded a contract to design and construct the first 103-meter Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) - now known as Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) - with options for nine additional ships. The current contract for 15 ships is valued at over $1.9 billion.

The Spearhead-class EPF provides high-speed, high-payload transport capability to the Combatant Commanders. The EPF's large, open mission deck and large habitability spaces provide the opportunity to conduct a wide range of missions which currently include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), UAV mother ship, and command and control missions in addition to engagement and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief missions to the possibility of supporting future missions such as special operations support. With its ability to access small, minor, and degraded ports with minimal external support, the EPF provides unique options to Fleet and Combatant Commanders.

EPF 14 is the first ship of the program that will follow the specifications of the Flight II design.  Building on the tremendous utility of the EPF platform, Flight II provides a Role 2E medical capability.  The EPF's catamaran design provides inherent stability to allow surgeons to perform underway medical procedures in an onboard operating suite. Enhanced capabilities to support V-22 flight operations and launch and recover 11 meter rigid inflatable boats (RIB) complement the ship’s medical facilities. These Flight II upgrades along with EPF’s speed, maneuverability, and shallow water access are key enablers for future Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations around the world.