The US Navy has unveiled the names of new expeditionary fast transport (EPF) and littoral combat ships.
Richard V. Spencer, Secretary of the Navy, announced on February 13 that the next Freedom and Independence variant littoral combat ships will be named USS Nantucket (LCS 27) and USS Savannah (LCS 28), while a new expeditionary fast transport is to be named USNS Newport (T-EPF 12).
The future USS Nantucket (LCS 27), a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, will be the third commissioned US Navy ship to honor the maritime history of Nantucket.
The future USS Savannah (LCS 28), an Independence-variant littoral combat ship, is the sixth ship to bear the name of the oldest city in Georgia.
Nantucket will be built by Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. Savannah will be built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.
The future expeditionary fast transport USNS Newport (T-EPF 12) is the fourth ship to bear the name honoring the Rhode Island city. Newport is home to several navy activities, including Naval Station Newport and the Naval War College.
The expeditionary fast transport (EPF), formerly named the joint high speed vessel (JHSV), is a shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamaran that is designed for high speed intra-theater surface Lift and serves in a variety of roles for the military branches to include support of overseas contingency operations, conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions and supporting special operations forces.
Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, will build the new EPF, which will be 338 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 93.5 feet, displace approximately 2,362 tons and operate at speeds of approximately 35-plus knots.