The ninth Austal USA-built Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel, the USNS City of Bismark (EPF-9) finished builder’s trials last Thursday, the Navy said.

The tests, which occurred over two days while the vessel was in the Gulf of Mexico, demonstrated various ship systems including calibration of communication and navigational systems, ship propulsion, ride control, and pollution control. This also includes maneuverability trials where the ship went through a series of high-speed turns to demonstrate the stability and utility of its catamaran hull form.

The U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel USNS City of Bismark (EPF-9) is launched in Mobile, Ala. On June 7, 2017. (Photo: David Stoltz, U.S. Navy).
The U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel USNS City of Bismark (EPF-9) is launched in Mobile, Ala. On June 7, 2017. (Photo: David Stoltz, U.S. Navy).

EPFs are non-combat vessels operated by the Military Sealift Command meant to operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways to increase the operational flexibility for actions like maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small/damaged ports, flexible logistics support, or enabling rapid transport. They are primarily geared towards transporting troops, military vehicles, and cargo.

EPFs also include a flight deck to support aircraft launch and recovery operations.

The Navy highlighted the EPF vessels have an off-load ramp to interface with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities and on/off-load vehicles like a combat loaded General Dynamics [GD] Abrams Main Battle Tank. The City of Bismark will have seating for 312 embarked forces and fixed berthing for 104. It has a crew size of 22 and travels at an average speed of 35 knots.

Next, the ship prepares for the Navy’s acceptance trials with the service’s Board of Inspection and Survey, which will inspect and evaluate the ship to certify its readiness for delivery.

“This is a major step towards delivering City of Bismarck to the Navy,” Capt. Scot Searles, Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager, Program Executive Office Ships, said in a statement.

City of Bismarck performed very well during Builder’s Trials, which is a testament to the combined efforts of industry and Navy.  The Navy will benefit from EPF 9’s delivery later this year as the need for versatile ships continues to grow,” he added.