Yuma, Ariz. Mayor Douglas Nicholls, left, etches his initials into the keel plate of the future expeditionary fast transport ships USNS Yuma (EPF 8) with the help of Austal USA welder Courtney Cagle as part of a keel authentication ceremony. (Photo Credit: U.S. Navy)
Open architecture on the Expeditionary Fast Transport ships allows U.S. Navy to cost-effectively upgrade technology in a rapidly advancing marketplace.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. The keel-laying ceremony for the future Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel Yuma (EPF 8) was held on March 29, in Mobile, Alabama. Designed to be fast, flexible and maneuverable, this AUSTAL-built vessel is the eighth ship under a 10-block buy contract. General Dynamics Mission Systems integrates open architecture computing infrastructure (OPEN CI) on these EPF vessels from the knowledge it gained from the same system integration on the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
OPEN CI allows the U.S. Navy to deliver mission capability when and wherever its needed, as well as streamlining the deployment of new and updated technology as it advances. OPEN CI provides fast and flexible solutions for increasingly complex missions at a cost effective price. Among other features, OPEN CI allows EPF personnel to display information on any monitor throughout the ship.
The EPF vessels with their open architecture system provide adaptable and highly capable command & control, allowing the ship to transport troops and equipment through the spectrum of traditional logistics missions. The EPFs ability to access small, minor and degraded ports with minimal external support provides unique options to fleet and combatant commanders for inter-theater lift, engagement, humanitarian assistance/ disaster relief missions, as well as special operations support.
Click here to see Austal USA's full press release.
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