Future EPF 13 milestones

The future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), the Navy’s 13th Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport recently completed Acceptance Trials and Unmanned Logistics Prototype Trials. Acceptance Trials consists of a series of in-port and at-sea demonstrations that allow the Navy and the Mobile, Ala., shipbuilder, Austal USA, to assess the ship’s systems and readiness prior to delivery to the Navy. The completion milestone is another win for our Navy and industry partners,” said Tim Roberts, program manager, Strategic & Theater Sealift, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. EPF 13 also completed Unmanned Logistics Prototype trials assessing autonomous capabilities integrated into the shipboard configuration, demonstrating that a large ship can become a self-driving platform. In transit from Mobile to Miami, Florida, Apalachicola’s autonomous system completed a stress test in high-traffic coastal areas by taking appropriate ship-handling actions while operating around other ships, boats, sailboats, and craft. Overall, the ship was in autonomous mode for approximately 85 percent of the multiple day at-sea period. Development of autonomous capability is the culmination of collaborative efforts with shipbuilding and industry partners, -Austal USA, L3 Harris and General Dynamics. USNS Apalachicola is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy later this year. (Source: US Navy 09/09/22) The future USNS Apalachicola Achieves Milestones with Acceptance Trials and Completion of Unmanned Logistics Prototype Trials > United States Navy > News-Stories