Expeditionary fast transport USNS Yuma completes acceptance trials
NewsFebruary 08, 2017
MOBILE, Ala. U.S. Navy officials announced the future expeditionary fast transport USNS Yuma (EPF-8) completed acceptance trails after two days underway evaluation in the Gulf of Mexico.
"The EPF program continues to be a successful model of serial ship production," says Capt. Henry Stevens, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships. "The class continues to grow and advance the U.S. Navy, expanding U.S. presence across the maritime theater. I look forward to seeing EPF 8 deliver this year and the continued success of the program.”
Navy officials say, the ship returned to the Austal USA shipyard after demonstrating the readiness of its equipment and system operations for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. By conducting numerous tests, both dockside and underway, surveyors were able to evaluate and determine that the ship met all criteria required for final acceptance.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announces the name of the next joint high speed vessel as USNS Yuma (JHSV 8) during a press conference in Yuma, Ariz. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy photo/ Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Arif Patani.
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Expeditionary fast transports are versatile, non-combatant vessels designed to operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways. They provide increased operational flexibility for a wide range of activities including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, flexible logistics support, or as the key enabler for rapid transport.
They are capable of interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, as well as on/off-loading vehicles such as a fully combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank. Each vessel includes a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations. Yuma will have airline-style seating for 312 embarked forces with fixed berthing for 104.
