Austal USA, Mobile, Ala., and the Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program team successfully completed acceptance trials on the future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15) May 21. Completion of acceptance trials means the ship is now ready for delivery to the Navy.
“I am excited for the hard-working Austal USA shipbuilding team who are responsible for the successful achievement of these trials,” Austal USA Vice President of Surface Ship Programs Dave Growden, said in a statement announcing completion of the sea trials. “With the help of our EPF program suppliers, Navy partners, and the Port of Mobile representatives involved in these trials, Point Loma is headed toward her final milestone delivery.”
These trials involved the execution of intense comprehensive tests by the Austal USA-led industry team which demonstrated to the Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment while underway.
Point Loma's main propulsion comes from four 20V8000 Rolls-Royce diesel engines hooked up to four Wärtsilä steerable, reversing waterjets through four ZF 60000 NRTH gearboxes, giving the new EPF a speed of 33 knots with 380 metric tonnes of cargo and 10 knots in sea state 5.
Point Loma is slated for delivery later this month and will be the second EPF Flight II vessel Austal USA has delivered to the Navy, following USNS Cody which was delivered to the Navy in January 2024. EPF Flight II vessels feature enhanced naval medicine afloat capabilities and will provide critical combat care in austere and contested operating environments.
Austal USA has delivered 14 EPFs and has two more EPFs, both Flight II vessels, under construction, including EPF 15.
