The US Navy has christened its Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, the future USNS Cody (EPF 14).
As informed, the naming ceremony took place at Austal’s shipyard in Alabama on 25 February. The ship is the first EPF Flight II as well as the first US Navy vessel to honor the City of Cody.
EPF Flight II provides a Role 2E (expanded) medical capability which includes, among other capabilities, basic secondary health care built around primary surgery; intensive care unit; ward beds; and limited x-ray, laboratory and dental support.
The EPF’s catamaran design will provide inherent stability to allow surgeons to perform underway medical procedures in an on-board operating suite. Enhanced capabilities include the support of V-22 flight operations and the launch and recovery of 11 meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats complementing the ship’s medical facilities.
These Flight II upgrades along with EPF’s speed, maneuvrability and shallow water access are key enablers for mission support of future Distributed Maritime Operations and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations around the world.
Flight II retains the capability of Flight I to support other missions including core logistics capabilities.
The USNS Cody is one of two EPF Flight II ships under construction at Austal USA with a third under contract. EPF Flight II ships will augment the future Expeditionary Medical Ships which will be capable of comprehensive, multidisciplinary hospital operations.
The navy’s Military Sealift Command will operate the future USNS Cody.