Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS Puerto Rico
Stay informed with our
free newsletters

Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS Puerto Rico

The Navy accepted delivery of its 11th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, the future USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF 11), from Austal USA Dec. 10.

Delivery marks the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy.  EPF 11 will be owned and operated by Military Sealift Command.

"We are excited to accept delivery of another versatile ship, further expanding the advantage of our civilian mariners at sea," said Capt. Scot Searles, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "Delivery of our 11th ship is a testament to the inherent flexibility of the EPF class."

Main Battle Tanks - Market and Technology Forecast to 2032

Main Battle Tanks - Market and Technology Forecast to 2032

Market forecasts by Region, Platform, and Contract Type. Country Analysis, Market and Technology Overview, Opportunities and Scenario Analysis, and Leading Company Profiles

Download free sample pages More information

EPFs are shallow-draft, all-aluminum, commercial-based catamarans that are capable of intra-theater personnel and cargo transport, which provide combatant commanders high-speed sealift mobility. EPFs enable rapid projection, agile maneuver and transport of personnel, equipment and supplies over operational distances with access to austere and degraded offload points.

As versatile, non-combatant vessels, EPFs provide increased operational flexibility for a wide range of activities including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations, and flexible logistics support. These vessels are capable of interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and on/off-loading a combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank. EPFs include a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations and airline-style seating for 312 embarked forces, with fixed berthing for 104.

Austal USA is also currently in production on the future USNS Newport (EPF 12) and USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), and is under contract to build the future USNS Cody (EPF 14).

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.


Publishdate:
Dec 12, 2019

Maritime ISR Conference 2025

Maritime ISR Conference 2025

London, United Kingdom
Oct 28 - 29, 2025

View agenda
Seabed Security Conference 2025

Seabed Security Conference 2025

Troia, Portugal
Sep 30 - Oct 1, 2025

View agenda