Navy awards Austal USA $57.8 million contract for EPF

By Mallory Shelbourne / October 19, 2018 at 10:59 AM

The Navy has awarded a $57.8 million contract to Austal USA for the Expeditionary Fast Transport 13, according to a Thursday Pentagon announcement.

The contract is for long-lead-time material including reduction gears, diesel engines and water jets, Austal said in a press release.

"The EPF class provides high-speed, shallow-draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army," the Defense Department announcement reads.

The Pentagon said it estimates the vessel will be finished by November 2021.

The Navy has received nine EPF ships from Austal since the company won the contract to build the first vessel in 2008.

The funds for the EPF 13 were awarded using an undefinitized contract action, meaning the terms of the contract have not yet been set.

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