The Navy awarded Austal USA an $868 million undefinitized contract modification on December 21 to perform the detail design and construction of three more expeditionary medical ships (EMS)
The Spearhead-class Expeditionary Medical Ships are modified versions of the Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship with additional medical capabilities.
The EMS has a shallow draft allowing it to operate in austere ports, a flight deck for helicopters, and a full range of medical capabilities.
The announcement said the vast majority of the construction work will occur at Austal’s aluminum manufacturing line at its shipyard in Mobile, Ala. The work is expected to be finished by May 2030.
The company said it will manufacture these EMS after it finishes the last Expeditionary Fast Transport ship, EPF-16.
“This award is further evidence of the Navy’s confidence in Austal USA to produce highly-capable, shallow-draft aluminum multi-hull vessels,” acting Austal USA President Michelle Kruger, said in a statement.
Austal previously delivered 13 traditional EPFs. It is getting ready to deliver the first EPF Flight II ship, the future USNS Cody (EPF 14), which has Role 2E medical capabilities. Two other EPF Flight II ships are under construction.
Navy officials in the past have compared an EMS to an ambulance while the two Mercy-class ships are akin to hospitals.
The EMS is expected to travel up to 30 knots with a range of 5,500 nautical miles.