Austal receives build contract for final Spearhead vessel
Spearhead-class programme is operating on schedule, with last vessel to be delivered by March 2024.
Austal USA is working on detailed design and construction of the 15th and final ship in the Spearhead class of Expeditionary Fast Transport (ETF) vessels for the USN.
The shipbuilder received a $235 million contract modification from Naval Sea Systems Command on 26 February.
Work will be performed in Mobile (63%) and other locations in the US, for completion by March 2024.
The EPF class provides a high-speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support intra-theatre deployment of personnel, supplies and equipment for the US Army, USMC and USN.
The vessels are operated by USN Military Sealift Command. Shephard Defence Insight reports that the programme is operating on schedule and under its $3.3 billion budget, with 12 vessels delivered as of March 2021.
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