The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the USNS Point Loma (EPF 15), the second of the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Flight II configuration, from shipbuilder Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., June 24.
This delivery will enhance the Navy’s ability to transport troops, cargo, heavy equipment, and vehicles to shallow-draft ports, according to a statement from the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The EPF transports with their 338’x96.5’x12.5’ catamaran hulls can travel at an average 35 knots.
“The delivery of USNS Point Loma marks the second Flight II EPF delivered to the Navy, providing essential fast-transport and enhanced medical capabilities to combatant command areas of operation.” said Tim Roberts, strategic and theater sealift program manager and Program Executive Office, Ships (PEO Ships).
The ship recently completed a formal acceptance trial “with excellent scores overall and no significant deficiencies, a testament to the high level of completion, quality, and ship readiness,” according to MSC officials.
The Flight II EPF vessels add Role 2 enhanced medical mission afloat capabilities with two operating rooms, and support for up to 147 patients. The ships can also transport approximately 419 short tons and travel 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 33 knots.
Each vessel can support flight operations and are capable of on- and off-loading heavy equipment, cargo, and tactical vehicles, including Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR) and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV).
PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense’s acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, and auxiliary ships, including special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.
