Tag Archives: Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF)

Navy Developing New Mine Countermeasures USV for Littoral Combat Ships

Navy Developing New Mine Countermeasures USV for Littoral Combat Ships

A developmental, early variant of the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV) autonomously conducts maneuvers on the Potomac River Test Range on March 28, 2018. US Navy Photo

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Last week Naval Sea Systems Command won Pentagon approval to develop a mine countermeasure unmanned surface vehicle as part of the Navy’s ongoing effort to replace its aging MCM infrastructure. Read More

Austal USA Considering the Future of the EPF Design

Austal USA Considering the Future of the EPF Design

 

Austal USA rendering of proposed EPF hospital ship. Austal USA

As Austal USA prepares to negotiate the contract for the final planned expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessel, the shipbuilder is actively exploring how to keep the production line hot by pitching the hull as a solution for other Navy needs, such as providing medical services in austere coastal environments.

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USNS Carson City Proves EPFs Can Conduct MCM Work, Handle Harsh North Atlantic Weather

USNS Carson City Proves EPFs Can Conduct MCM Work, Handle Harsh North Atlantic Weather

The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Carson City (T-EPF 7), right, maneuvers alongside a Norwegian vessel during BALTOPS 2018. US Navy photo.

The Navy continues to expand its uses for the Expeditionary Fast Transport class of ships, as USNS Carson City (T-EPF-7) last month conducted the first high-latitude operations and the first mine countermeasures mission for the ship class. Read More

Price Hikes, Production Delays Mark Navy Shipbuilding for Past Decade

Price Hikes, Production Delays Mark Navy Shipbuilding for Past Decade

A crane moves the lower stern into place on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va. on June 22, 2017. US Navy Photo

Navy shipbuilding has been plagued for the last decade by programs running over-budget and underperforming once completed, according to a new government report, resulting in a smaller fleet than previously planned.

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Navy Considering Command Ship Mission for EPFs In Western Pacific

Navy Considering Command Ship Mission for EPFs In Western Pacific

Expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) arrives in to Tawau, Malaysia, on April 21, 2018, for a mission stop in support of Pacific Partnership (PP) 2018. US Navy photo.

KUALA LUMPUR — The U.S. Navy’s Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 is looking at new ways of using the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships for operations in the Indo-Pacific, task force commander Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson told USNI News in a recent interview. Read More

Navy, Marines Ponder Alternative Platforms' Role as First ESB Now Operating in 5th Fleet

Navy, Marines Ponder Alternative Platforms’ Role as First ESB Now Operating in 5th Fleet

AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 (Reinforced) land on the flight deck of the expeditionary mobile base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) in support of Alligator Dagger 2017. Alligator Dagger is a dedicated, unilateral combat rehearsal led by Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Combined Navy and Marine Corps units of the America Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Units are to practice, rehearse and exercise integrated capabilities that are available to U.S. Central Command, both afloat and ashore. US Navy photo.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Navy and Marine Corps are committed to using alternative platforms to move Marines around at sea, but there are still decisions yet to be made about how to maximize these ships’ effectiveness and minimize risk while operating independently or as part of a strike group. Read More