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Navy/USMC

EPF-13 Finishes Acceptance And Unmanned Prototype Trials

Friday, September 9th, 2022

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EPF-13 Finishes Acceptance And Unmanned Prototype Trials

The Navy’s twelfth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, USNS Newport (EPF-12), successfully competed Integrated Sea Trials on July 30, 2020. (Photo: U.S. Navy)

The future Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) successfully finished Acceptance Trials and Unmanned Logistics Prototype Trials, the Navy said on Sept. 9. Whereas the acceptance trials consisted of a standard series of in-port and at-sea demonstrations to allow the shipbuilder, Austal USA, and the Navy to assess ship systems and readiness before delivery, the unmanned trials are a new feature for this specific vessel. In 2021 the Navy awarded Austal USA a $44 million contract modification…

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