US Navy christens final Flight II Spearhead-class EPF

The US Navy has christened the future USNS Lansing (EPF 16), the final Flight II Spearhead-class EPF, during a ceremony held at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.

The ship, which was christened on January 10, 2026, is named after Lansing, the capital city of Michigan, which has supplied military materials since the Civil War. 

 USNS Lansing is the first ship to be named after the city, a manufacturing hub that has produced supplies for our nation’s military since the Civil War.

The christening of the future USNS Lansing symbolizes the navy’s 250-year commitment to innovation and maritime dominance.

EPF 16, as the final Flight II ship of the Spearhead class, will be able to deploy as an expeditionary fast transport, as a Role 2 medical-capable platform, or as a combination of both. 

The unit is currently designated to be crewed by 31 civilian mariners and is capable of embarking up to 155 embarked forces, or an expeditionary medical unit as required. 

“As we christen the future USNS Lansing, we celebrate another symbol of the unbreakable linkage that ties the workmanship of our shipyard workers to those of our American mariners who will man these ships. This also marks the pivotal transition from construction to the rigorous test and trials phase to ensure these platforms are ready to answer the call,” said Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao.

Last summer, the US Navy welcomed the expeditionary fast transport USNS Point Loma (EPF 15).