Austal successfully completed acceptance trials on Burlington, Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF 10), last week, in the Gulf of Mexico. Burlington is slated for delivery to the U.S. Navy in the Fall and is the tenth ship in Austal’s 12-ship portfolio valued at over $1.9 billion.
The U.S. Navy's tenth Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, Burlington (EPF 10), successfully completed acceptance trials. Austal file picture.
“Another trial completed for the incredibly successful EPF program,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said. “I am so proud of our dedicated workforce and how they keep achieving these milestones staying on schedule and budget.”
These trials involved the execution of intense comprehensive tests by the Austal-led industry team while underway, which demonstrated to the Navy the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. Acceptance trials are the last milestone before delivery of the ship.
“We are so excited to hear about the great things these ships are doing around the world,” stated Perciavalle. “From rescuing refugees in the Mediterranean, to conducting mine countermeasure exercises in the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic, the EPF fleet is proving to be a great asset to our future 355-ship Navy.”
Austal’s EPF program is very mature with nine ships delivered and three more under construction at the Mobile, Ala. facility. The 338-ft Spearhead-class EPF is currently providing high-speed, high-payload transport capability to fleet and combatant commanders. The EPF’s large, open mission deck and large habitability spaces provide the opportunity to conduct a wide range of missions from engagement and humanitarian assistance or disaster relief missions being conducted today – recently assisting in the Hurricane Irma and Maria relief missions - to the possibility of supporting a range of future missions including special operations support, command and control, and medical support operations. With its ability to access austere and degraded ports with minimal external assistance, the EPF provides unique options to fleet and combatant commanders.
In addition to the EPF program, Austal has also received contracts for 15 Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy with a combined value of over $4 billion. Eight LCS have been delivered while an additional six are in various stages of construction.
