USNS Carson City (EPF 7)Completes Acceptance Trials (Photo Credit: Austal USA)
Mobile, Ala. Austal successfully completed acceptance trials on USNS Carson City, Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF 7), May 25th, in the Gulf of Mexico. Carson City is slated for delivery to the U.S. Navy by the end of the year and is the seventh ship in Austal's 10-ship $1.6 billion block-buy contract awarded by the U.S. Navy in 2008.
The successful completion of acceptance trials for EPF 7 is further proof of how mature and efficient this program has become, said Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA's president. These great ships, built by an extraordinary team of talented Austal shipbuilders, are proving their flexibility and potential in improving international relations worldwide.
This milestone achievement 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 ships major systems and equipment. Acceptance trials are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship.
Austal's EPF program is steadily maturing with six 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 EPFs 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 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 is also building 11 Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy under a contract worth over $3.5 billion. Three LCS have been delivered while an additional seven are in various stages of construction.
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About Austal and General Dynamics Mission Systems
Austal, as prime contractor, is teamed with General Dynamics Mission Systems for the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program. As the ship mission system integrator, General Dynamics designs, integrates and tests the ships electronic systems including an open architecture computing infrastructure (OPEN CI), internal and external communication, electronic navigation, aviation and armament systems. Learn more here
Austal is a global defense prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defense and commercial ships. For more than 25 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for Governments, Navies and Ferry operators around the world. More than 250 vessels have been delivered in that time.
Click here to see Austal USA's full press release.
Austal Media Contact: uspress@austalusa.com
