Austal expects contract awards for EPF 13 and 14 within the next two months

Austal expects the Navy to issue contract awards for two Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels within "the next month or two," according to a company executive.

Larry Ryder, Austal's senior director of business development and customer affairs, told Inside the Navy Jan. 17 that EPF 13 and 14 will both include "an enhanced medical capability."

"So it's not going to be a full-up hospital ship, but it's going to have a significant level of core medical capability built into the in-line construction phase," Ryder said.

Inside the Navy previously reported on Austal's concept for an EPF medical variant that would include capability for two V-22 Ospreys.

The Navy issued Austal a $57.8 million contract in October for EPF 13 long-lead-time materials and a $40.3 million contract in December for EPF 14 long-lead-time materials.