
The Navy awarded Austal USA an $868 million undefinitized contract modification on December 21 to perform the detail design and construction of three more expeditionary medical ships (EMS) The Spearhead-class Expeditionary Medical Ships are modified versions of the Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship with additional medical capabilities. The EMS has a shallow draft allowing it to operate in austere ports, a flight deck for helicopters, and a full range of medical capabilities. The announcement said the vast majority of the construction…