Austal USA has received a US$867.6 million (A$1.28 billion) definitized contract award (UCA) for the final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) from the US Navy.
The EMS is based on Austal’s expeditionary fast transport ship (EPF) platform and will be manufactured in Austal USA’s aluminium manufacturing line following the completion of the last expeditionary fast transport (EPF 16).
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the contract enables the final detailed design for the Expeditionary Medical Ship to be completed and construction of three vessels to commence.
“The new Expeditionary Medical Ship further extends the capabilities of the proven Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) platform, designed and constructed by Austal, to enable more complex medical procedures and operations to be performed onboard, at sea and underway,” Gregg said.
The expeditionary medical ship, an expeditionary fast transport (EPF) variant, is a dedicated medical ship optimized to provide patient holding, stabilization, evacuation and transport in support of Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO).
The EMS design features a shallow draft which enables greater reach and allows for direct access to austere ports. The flight deck will accommodate military aircraft, including the V-22 Osprey and CH-53K heavy-lift cargo helicopter.
Austal USA has delivered 13 EPF’s, a predecessor to the EMS design, to the US Navy. The company is preparing to deliver the first EPF Flight II, the future USNS Cody (EPF 14), which features enhanced Role 2E medical capability, and has two more Flight II vessels under construction.
The vessel was christened in February this year.