Austal launches US Navy’s expeditionary fast transport USNS Point Loma

Austal USA has launched the U.S. Navy’s 15th expeditionary fast transport (EPF) USNS Point Loma at the company’s shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Alabama.

According to Austal, during the launch process, self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT) lifted the ship almost three feet and moved it approximately 400 feet onto a deck barge moored adjacent to the final assembly bay. The barge then moved the ship downriver to Austal’s West Campus repair yard where it was placed in a floating dry dock. The ship was submerged in the dry dock, enabling it to float for the first time, and was returned back upriver to Austal’s new construction facility.

The EPF USNS Point Loma is now docked pier side for final outfitting and system activation in preparation for sea trials later in 2024.

Dave Growden, Austal USA’s Vice President of New Construction Programs, said: “The continued success of this launch process is a testament to the value of teamwork and applying lessons-learned to everything we do. Our test and activation, crane and rigging, and safety teams work methodically alongside our Navy partners and key vendors such as Berard Transportation and E.N. Bisso & Son tug services. These partnerships allow us to continually examine our process, identify opportunities for improvement, and more effectively achieve these major ship milestones.”

To remind, the ship, which is the second of the Spearhead-class EPF Flight II configurations and one of 16 EPFs the US Navy has contracted Austal to build, was christened at a ceremony in Mobile at the beginning of August 2024.

EPF Flight II provides a Role 2E (enhanced) 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.