The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) 12, soon to be the USNS Newport, completed sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico and is ready for delivery to the U.S. Navy, Austal USA announced this week.
“I can’t begin to express how proud I am of the success of our team and this ship,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said. “The ability to overcome the challenges presented to conduct something as complicated as vessel sea trials in these unprecedented times proves the value of hard work and dedication.”
Sea trials, a series of tests of all the vessel’s components and systems, are the last milestone before delivery of the ship. The Newport is slated for delivery to the U.S. Navy later this summer and is the twelfth ship in Austal USA’s growing 14-ship portfolio.
“We’re proud of the contributions these ships are making to maritime operations around the world,” said Perciavalle. “From serving as a mother ship to test drones in the Atlantic to providing humanitarian assistance and participating in global military training exercises enhancing the lifestyle and naval capabilities of third world nations, the EPF fleet is proving to be a great asset to our future 355-ship Navy.”
Built at Austal’s shipyard on the Mobile River in downtown Mobile, the 388-foot Spearhead class EPF features an open deck and large habitability spaces, allowing it to fill varied roles for the Navy.
