Austal USA has been awarded an $867.6 million contract for final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships for the U.S. Navy.
The ships will be built on the aluminum construction line at the shipbuilder’s location in Mobile.
“This award is further evidence of the Navy’s confidence in Austal USA to produce highly-capable, shallow-draft aluminum multi-hull vessels,” said Michelle Kruger, acting president of Austal USA. “We are proud to provide this innovative critical care capability to the men and women who defend our county.”
The Expeditionary Medical Ship is a variant of the Expeditionary Fast Transport, designed as a dedicated medical ship for stabilization, evacuation and transport of patients. It is a shallow-draft ship, allowing direct access to ports. The flight deck can handle aircraft such as the V-22 and H-53K helicopters.
Austal has already delivered 13 Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships to the Navy, is about to deliver EPF 14 with special medical capabilities and has two more under construction.
