A EPF costs less than a frigate, has a smaller crew demand of 22 compared to 200 for a frigate, and is capable of embarking a Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET). In terms of accommodation, a Spearhead-class EPF like the USNS Newport is home to around 20 crew members, although its capacity is pegged at around 40 mariners. The Navy awarded Phase One preliminary design contracts in early 2008, and a detail design and construction contract in the 4th Quarter of FY08. Navy.mil Home Page. USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) is the Navy's first joint high-speed vessel, owned and operated by Military Sealift Command. In addition, Austal is under contract to build Independence-class littoral combat ships (LCS) for the US Navy. USNS Spearhead is the first ship in the Spearhead -class Joint High Speed Vessel to be operated by the Military Sealift Command and christened on 17 September 2011. [12], On 12 June 2014, the Spearhead was conducting routine testing off the coast of Key West. It used to operate a daily service at a speed of 35 knots (65 km/h) between the islands of Oahu and Maui. "[10][11] The vessels are a part of Military Sealift Commands Sealift Program. Alakai has a capacity of 866 passengers and up to 282 subcompact cars. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ford Williams/Released. Spearheadis planned for non-combat missions, such as transportation of troops or equipment. [2], The U.S. 4th Fleet has expressed interest in using the EPF as a low-cost ship for performing drug interdiction missions around Central and South America. On 23 March 2010, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced in Fall River, Massachusetts that the fourth Joint High Speed Vessel will be named USNS Fall River. [14] Vehicles and cargo are loaded and unloaded by a ramp that can support up to 100 tons of weight. [2] At the time, Spearhead was intended for service with the US Army in the 7th Sustainment Brigade as USAV Spearhead. Although designed for a military crew of 46, the ships usually have a crew of just 26 mariners. The US Navy's pickup truck of the sea is a catamaran The first ship in its class. Though the ships are non-combatants, they were chosen for their available cargo and topside space and schedule flexibility. On 30 June 2011, Austal was awarded construction contracts for EPF-6 and EPF-7. The EPF will reach speeds of 35–45 knots (65–83 km/h; 40–52 mph) and will allow for the rapid transit and deployment of conventional or special forces as well as equipment and supplies. [26][27], Marine Corps General John M. Paxton, Jr. has called the EPF "a very capable ship" for certain missions, but in consideration for serving as an alternate platform for Marines to use in amphibious operations as substitutes for amphibious assault ships, he claims several deficiencies including ability to operate in difficult sea states, ability to remain survivable in contested waters, a flight deck that cannot handle the heat of an MV-22 Osprey's engines during take-off and landing, lack of a well deck to launch amphibious vehicles at sea, as well as current lack of a "splash capability" where the ramp can allow vehicles to be driven off it into the sea. [15] This allows for a maximum speed of 43 knots (49 mph) and a service speed of 35 knots (40 mph). This page was last modified on 11 January 2016, at 07:50. She was launched at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. At 10 knots in calm sea states, the hull can rock up to four degrees to each side, while conventional ships would roll very little, which would increase if the ship goes faster in rougher conditions, raising the possibility of seasickness. The initial critical design review (ICDR) was completed by May 2009. The ramp is suitable for the types of austere piers and quay walls common in developing countries. When deploying a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV), the EPF's stern-mounted crane could launch it in up to sea state 3 conditions, but support surface craft were needed to get divers into the underwater vehicle, which could only be launched in sea state 2.[17]. [15], Media related to IMO 9647992 at Wikimedia Commons, This article is about the expeditionary fast transport. USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1) (formerly JHSV-1) is the first Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport to be operated by the Military Sealift Command. [5] Spearhead, after delivery to the Navy in early 2012, will undergo sea trials and tests, and in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 is planned to begin operations, homeported at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek. The Spearhead Class Expeditionary Fast Transport shipbuilding program to provide “a platform intended to support users in the Department of the Navy and Department of the Army. [17], As of late 2014, a EPF costs $180 million to build and has an annual operating cost of $26 million. At sea state 4 it can travel up to 15 knots, travel only 5 knots in sea state 5, and has to hold position in any sea state higher; while this might be seen as an operational limitation that can delay its arrival to port facilities, the ship was intended to operate closer to shore rather than in blue water conditions. Designed and built by Austal USA, Spearhead is 103 meters (338 ft) long and 28.5 meters (94 ft) in beam. Both are to be delivered by 2016. Operated by the U.S. Military Sealift Command, USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1) (formerly known JHSV-1 for Joint High Speed Vessel) is the first Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship. The USNS Newport (T-EPF-12) is the twelfth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport and is operated by the Military Sealift Command. ", "Delay in JHSV Delivery Will Ripple Into 2017", "New Navy high-speed catamaran to make 1st deployment", "Spearhead Hosts Joint Familiarization Exercise in Monrovia", "Marines conduct crisis response exercise from USNS Spearhead. [47], In 2013 a Frost & Sullivan report predicted that sales could be made to APAC countries. [15] A vessel has 104 permanent berthing spaces. [9], The design is 70 percent in common with the Hawaii Superferry, also built by Austal USA. This is a list of Military Sealift Command ships.The fleet includes about 130 ships in eight … USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1) (formerly JHSV-1) is the first Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport to be operated by the Military Sealift Command. The Navy awarded Phase One preliminary design contracts in early 2008, and a detail design and construction contract in the 4th Quarter of FY08. [7] To achieve its top speed, the ship has to be traveling in waters not exceeding sea state 3 (waves up to 1.25 m (4.1 ft) high). [5], The EPF has no weapons or defensive systems to fulfill combat missions, but the Navy is looking to expand its roles to include re-supplying special operations forces and conducting humanitarian assistance missions. On 5 December 2012, the first ship in the class, USNS Spearhead, was delivered to Military Sealift Command in Mobile, Alabama. The preliminary design contract for the EPF programme was awarded in February 2008. Spearhead, as well as other ships of her class, are built to a modular design that allows them to be rapidly refitted with various equipment within a 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) bay depending on the mission at hand. A EPF is essentially an aluminum twin-hull catamaran shell containing four … The passenger room contains reclining seats with overhead televisions and racks for weapons and equipment. [23] The Navy has since decided to mount the experimental railgun on USNS Trenton (T-EPF-5) instead. [8], Spearhead was formally delivered to the Navy on 5 December 2012, eight months late and $31 million over budget. The HSSV has a similar catamaran hull design as the EPF and supports naval operations including helicopter operations, rapid deployment of military personnel and cargo, and search and rescue missions. USNS Newport is the 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship to be delivered to the United States Navy – and brings the total number of ships delivered to the Navy by Austal USA to 24 in ten years, including three this year. [12] The class was previously designated as "Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV)", but was changed to (EPF) in September 2015. One disadvantage of the ship's design is stability in rough seas and at high speeds. [7] Spearhead is planned for non-combat missions, such as transportation of troops or equipment. The interior is spacious and berthing areas have private features like toilet stalls, outlets, air conditioning, and even thermostats; there is no gym on board. [22] The General Dynamics OPEN CI is also used on the Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS), also built by Austal. The first thr… The EPF program received Milestone A approval in May 2006. [24], The USMC is investigating changes to the EPF ramp to allow it to place Amphibious Combat Vehicles into the water near the shore. In May 2013, the HSV-2 Swift conducted a drug interdiction patrol, showing an aluminum catamaran was capable of performing the role. [15] She is powered by four MTU 20V8000 M71L engines, each with a power of 9.1 megawatts (12,200 hp), driving four Wärtsilä WLD 1400 SR waterjets through ZF 60000NR2H reduction gears. (Redirected from USNS Millinocket (JHSV-3)) USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3), (formerly JHSV-3), (ex- Fortitude) is the third Spearhead -class expeditionary fast transport, which is part of the United States Military Sealift Command and was built in Mobile, Alabama. After delivery, each service will be responsible for manning, maintaining, and providing full lifecycle support for its vessels. [15] She has space for 41 crewmembers, though under normal conditions will sail with 22,[16] as well as sleeping accommodations for up to 150 people and an additional 312 seats for troop transport. It even has a flight deck for helicopter operations. [15] There are also facilities for one helicopter. [3], Spearhead was launched on 8 September 2011, though she did not enter the water until several days later; her launch was the moving of the vessel from the shed where she was constructed onto a floating drydock. The Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) is a United States Navy-led shipbuilding program to provide "a platform intended to support users in the Department of the Navy and Department of the Army. [50], From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core, High Speed Vessels of the United States Navy, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, "Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs", Civilian-crewed vessels see larger role in amphibious ops, "Austal Delivers Fifth Joint High Speed Vessel", http://www.defensenews.com/article/20141212/DEFREG/312120029/, Low Cost Ship Options for U.S. Navy’s Drug War, Marines conduct crisis response exercise from USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), Joint High-Speed Vessel turns heads during Bold Alligator, Joint High Speed Vessel: Great Potential, But Questions Remain, Joint High Speed Vessels Support Marine Corps Missions, http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/inventory.asp?var=PM5, A New Class of Ship – 'Expeditionary Support', Navy’s Newest Ship Is Pickup Truck of the Sea, Navy explores new roles with first-in-class USNS Spearhead, "DOT&E: JHSV Effective At Intra-Theater Transport But Challenged In Other Missions", "Navy Considers JHSV for Special Operations Missions", "Retiring frigates may leave some missions unfilled", USNS Spearhead returns from maiden deployment, USNS Choctaw County Starts Concept Trial at Naval Weapons Station Cheatham, "General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems to Integrate Ship Mission System for Austal Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV)]", NAVSEA Details At Sea 2016 Railgun Test on JHSV Trenton, "Marines Seek New Tech To Get Ashore Vs. Missiles; Reinventing Amphib Assault", Amos rejects recent critique of amphibious combat vehicle, Future Marine Corps Missions Depend on New Ship-To-Shore Connectors, USMC’s Paxton: Potential Marine Deployments On LCS And JHSV Carry Risks, SNA: Surface Leaders Make the Case for the Modified Littoral Combat Ship, "Objective Theater Support Vessel (OTSV)", "Navy's First Joint High-Speed Vessel Christened", "Unusual ship visits Mayport after 6-month deployment to African waters", "Army Transfers High Speed Vessels to Navy", "Navy Awards Construction Contracts for JHSV 6, 7", "Navy Exercises Tenth JHSV Construction Option", "Military Sealift Command News: CIVMARs To Operate JHSV", http://www.defensenews.com/article/20141212/DEFREG/312120029/Navy-Gains-Ship-15-Growlers-Defense-Bill, "Austal Celebrates Keel Laying for JHSV2 - the "Choctaw County, "Secretary of the Navy Names Joint High Speed Vessel USNS Millinocket", "Future USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) completes builder's sea trials", "Secretary of the Navy Names Multiple Ships", "Joint High-Speed Vessels May Answer the Changing Logistics Needs of Navies, Finds Frost & Sullivan", Austal contract for two 72m High Speed Support Vessels is for the Royal Navy of Oman, List of auxiliaries of the United States Navy, https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Spearhead-class_expeditionary_fast_transport&oldid=4688729, Articles with dead external links from September 2010, Pages with citations using unsupported parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, About Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core. 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