Austal USA christens USNS Lansing, the final EPF

The final U.S. Navy Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship — the future USNS Lansing (EPF 16) — was christened April 10 at Austal USA’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The christening marked a major milestone in the Spearhead-class EPF program, which has delivered vital high-speed, shallow-draft transport capability to the U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command. Since the inception of the EPF program, Austal USA has built and delivered a fleet of fast transport vessels that provide agile intra-theater personnel and cargo movement, rapid response support, and enhanced operational flexibility around the globe.

This christening event was unique in that two sponsors christened the ship: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, and Rep. Lisa McClain (R. Mich.), who broke bottles of champagne simultaneously on the bow of the ship after which they jointly exclaimed, “For the United States of America, I christen thee Lansing. May God bless this ship and all who sail in her!”.

“I was especially honored to witness this tradition that means so much to our Navy and our Nation with the christening of the last ship of this great fleet,” said Michelle Kruger, president, Austal USA. “The Flight II Expeditionary Fast Transport ships represent a significant increase in naval auxiliary capability, designed to support a wide range of missions including medical operations, logistics, and troop transport. These ships are built by an exceptional team of dedicated men and women who consistently strive to be the best in the industry, delivering the most capable and cost-effective vessels to our superior Navy.”

The future USNS Lansing is the first Navy ship named after the capital of Michigan. There have been 32 naval ships named after some aspect of Michigan. This includes the first iron-hulled ship in the Navy, named after the state and commissioned in 1844.

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. The EPF’s catamaran design provides inherent stability to allow surgeons to perform underway medical procedures in the ship’s operating suite. Enhanced capabilities to support V-22 flight operations and launch and recover 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boats complement the ship’s medical facilities. These Flight II upgrades along with EPF’s speed, maneuverability and shallow water access are key enablers for mission support of future distributed maritime operations and expeditionary advanced base operations around the world. Flight II retains the capability of the Flight I to support other missions including core logistics. EPF is one of four shipbuilding programs under serial production at Austal USA.

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