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Expeditionary Fast Transport (PM8)

Expeditionary Fast Transport

The Expeditionary Fast Transport program contains T-EPFs are high-speed, shallowdraft ships capable of intra-theater personnel and cargo lift for the armed services.

Each T-EPF has a reconfigurable 20,000 square-foot mission bay that can quickly adapt to provide high-speed, agile lift capability to deliver operationally ready units to small, austere ports and flexibly support a wide range of missions including humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, theater security cooperation, maritime domain awareness and noncombatant evacuations. The design features a flight deck capable of landing a CH-53 helicopter, a stern ramp for vehicle access to the mission deck, and seating for 312 passengers. Able to reach speeds of more than 35 knots, they enable the rapid transit and deployment of conventional and special forces, equipment and supplies in support of maneuver and sustainment operations.

These vessels are crewed by civilian mariners while military personnel embark as required by mission sponsors. Eleven of the planned 12 EPFs have been delivered to MSC.

High-speed transport vessels recently acquired by the Navy also belong to MSC. USNS Guam (HST 1), formerly MV Huakai, replaced the high-speed vessel Westpac Express, whose mission is to transport military personnel and cargo for the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force between Okinawa and other U.S. Pacific Command training sites. HST 2, formerly MV Alakai, is currently on an Enhanced Use Lease in Nova Scotia.

Ship Photos

USNS Trenton (T-EPF 5) transits the Mediterranean Sea.
The U.S. Navy’s twelfth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, USNS Newport (EPF 12), successfully competed Integrated Sea Trials, July 30. (Courtesy Austal USA)
U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines prepare to embark multiple High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems aboard the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) during Exercise Noble Jaguar 2021 at Naha Port, Okinawa, Japan.
USNS Yuma
USNS Carson City
USNS City of Bismarck
Marines serving with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Southern Command board the Spearhead-class USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., Sept. 26, 2020.
USNS Guam (T-HST-1)

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