AUSTAL Limited (ASX: ASB) latest Expeditionary Fast Transport Vessel has successfully completed U.S. Navy Acceptance Trials.
These unique trials were conducted in the Gulf of Mexico and integrated formal Builder’s Trials with Acceptance Trials for the first time on an EPF vessel.
Austal CEO David Singleton said the future USNS Puerto Rico successfully completed and passed all tests and returned from sea earlier than scheduled.
“These trials involved the execution of intense, comprehensive testing by the Austal-led industry team while underway, which demonstrated to the U.S. Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment.
Sea trials are the last milestone before delivery of the Austal designed and built ship. The future USNS Puerto Rico is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Navy before the end of the year and is the eleventh Spearhead Class ship in Austal’s 14-ship EPF portfolio.
“The flexibility and versatility of the EPF is becoming increasingly evident. From serving as a mother ship to test unmanned aerial and undersea systems in the Atlantic to performing as command ships in Pacific Partnership 2019 (an exercise that includes more than 500 military and civilian personnel from more than 10 nations), the EPF fleet is proving to be a great asset to the future 355-ship US Navy,” Mr Singleton said.
Austal has three more EPF’s under construction in Mobile, Alabama, in addition to the future USS Puerto Rico. The Spearhead-class EPF is currently providing high-speed, high-payload transport capability to fleet and combatant commanders.
In addition to the EPF programme, Austal has also received contracts for 19 Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy. Ten LCS have been delivered, five ships are in various stages of construction and four are yet to start construction.
