Future USNS Yuma launched
The future USNS Yuma, the eighth Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, has been launched at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, it was announced on 19 September.
Yuma is scheduled for delivery to the US Navy in early 2017.
The Spearhead-class is designed for intra-theatre transportation of equipment, military vehicles and troops. It can transport up to 600 short tons across a maximum range of 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35kts.
EPFs feature an off-load ramp and a flight deck for helicopters and vehicles to quickly access ports and quays, and a 15ft shallow draft. They can interface with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities and access deteriorated or austere piers. These vessels can support a wide range of operations including disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and non-combatant evacuation operations.
Capt Henry Stevens, strategic theatre and sealift program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships, US Navy, said: ‘With Yuma in the water, we can begin working with our shipbuilders on the final outfitting for the ship. This milestone brings us a step closer to activating the ship systems and getting her out to sea for trials.’
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