TIM
TIM eMagazine
eMagazine Vol.2
Vol.1 Issue
Issue 2 5
Austal Delivers Eighth
Expeditionary Fast Transport
‘USNS Yuma’ To US Navy
A
ustal Limited (Austal) is pleased to announce the
United States Navy (USN) has accepted delivery
of USNS Yuma (EPF 8) during a ceremony held
aboard the ship at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile,
Alabama, USA.
USNS Yuma, named after the City of Yuma,
Arizona, is the eighth Expeditionary Fast Transport
(EPF) vessel designed and constructed by Austal
for the USN, under a contract for twelve vessels
worth in excess of US$1.9 billion.
Announcing the vessel delivery, Austal Chief Executive Officer David
Singleton said the EPF program is a clear demonstration of Austal’s ability
to design, construct and support innovative defence vessels.
“The EPF platform continues to impress both operators and end-users
with its unique, multi-mission capabilities and is now leading US Navy and
YUMA Austal US Navy
other humanitarian missions, traditionally led by single- purpose logistics
vessels,” Singleton said.
“USNS Yuma is the latest addition to a growing fleet of ‘smart ships’ that
Austal is delivering globally, on-time and on-budget,” Singleton added.
The EPF platform provides the USN with a high-speed, intra-theatre
transport capability. The 103 metre long Yuma is an all-aluminium military
catamaran capable of transporting troops, vehicles and cargo up to 1,200
nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. With a shallow draft, the
vessel is designed to operate in austere ports and waterways, providing
added flexibility to the USN. The EPF’s flight deck can also support flight
operations for a wide variety of aircraft, including a CH-53 Super Stallion.
Three Spearhead-class