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Austal USA Awarded $44M to Develop Autonomous Version of Spearhead-class EPF
June 9, 2021 6:25 PM
Expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) departs Naval Base Guam, passing the MSC expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) and marking the start of Pacific Partnership 2019. Navy photo
The builder of the Navy’s Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) has won a $44 million contract to develop an autonomous version of the aluminum catamaran, according to a June 7 Pentagon contract announcement.
The modification to the future USNS
Apalachicola (EPF-13) will allow the 1,500-ton ship the option to operate either autonomously or in a manned configuration, according to a statement from Austal USA.
Unclear on unmanned: The US Navy’s plans for robot ships are on the rocks David Larter
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One of the two prototypes purchased by the Office of the Secretary of Defense s Strategic Capabilities Office for its Ghost Fleet Overlord program, aimed at fielding an autonomous surface ship capable of launching missiles. (U.S. Defense Department)
This is the first of a three-part series on the Navy’s struggles to develop unmanned ships and systems. WASHINGTON – After a bruising, year-long fight with Congress, part of the Navy’s plan to field unmanned ships appears to be on life support, making 2021 a crucial year for plotting a path forward.