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Austal USA to Design, Construct Navy’s Autonomous Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship

Austal USA to Design, Construct Navy's Autonomous Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship - top government contractors - best government contracting event
Contract award

Austal USA has secured a $44 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy for the design and construction of an expeditionary fast transport ship and its demonstration as an autonomous platform.

The company said Wednesday it will conduct automated machinery plant enhancements to transform the USNS Apalachicola vessel as an autonomous prototype as part of the Expeditionary Fast Transport program.

A perception and autonomy control suite will be installed on the ship. Following the modernization efforts, EPF 13 is expected to be capable of both autonomous and manned operations.

“The potential of the EPF to operate unmanned opens the door to a range of new missions for the EPF ranging from logistics support to mine warfare and strike operations using vertical launch systems,” said Rusty Murdaugh, interim president of Austal USA.

The company is constructing two EPF ships at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard. Another ship is awaiting its start of construction.

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Written by Christine Thropp

oversees day-to-day content production for ExecutiveBiz, a publication under Executive Mosaic's media group covering government contracting industry news. She also writes about executive movements and commentaries, M&A activities, contract awards and technology and service offerings of medium-sized businesses and other GovCon companies. Prior to assuming her current responsibilities with EBiz, Thropp produced daily competitive intelligence briefings for the company's GovCon customers.

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