Future expeditionary fast transport USNS Yuma (T-EPF-8) successfully completed acceptance trials January 26, 2017 after two days of underway evaluation in the Gulf of Mexico.

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 the ship met all criteria required for final acceptance. «The EPF program continues to be a successful model of serial ship production», said Captain 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». Expeditionary fast transports are versatile, noncombatant 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-loading/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. As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft.  

SPECIFICATIONS

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Material	Hull and superstructure – aluminium alloy
Length overall	103 m/337.9 feet
Beam overall	28.5 m/93.5 feet
Hull draft (maximum)	3.83 m/12.57 feet
MISSION BAY
Area (with tie-downs)	1,863 m2/20,053 feet2
Clear Height	4.75 m/15.6 feet
Turning diameter	26.2 m/86.0 feet
ISO TEU (Twenty Equivalent Units) Stations	6 Interface Panels
ACCOMMODATIONS
Crew	41
Single SR	2
Double SR	6
Quad SR	7
Troop Seats	312
Troop Berths	Permanent: 104
	Temporary: 46
Galley and Messing	48
PROPULSION
Main Engines	4 × MTU 20V8000 M71L Diesel Engines 4 × 9.1 MW
Gear boxes	4 × ZF 60000NR2H Reduction Gears
Waterjets	4 × Wartsila WLD 1400 SR
PERFORMANCE
Average Speed	35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h @ 90% MCR with 635 mt (700 st) payload
Maximum Speed	43 knots/50 mph/80 km/h without payload
Maximum Transit Range	1,200 NM/1,381 miles/2,222 km
Self-Deployment Range	5,600 NM/6,444 miles/10,371 km
Survival Through	SS-7
AVIATION FACILITIES
NAVAIR Level 1 Class 2 Certified Flight Deck for one helicopter
Centreline parking area for one helicopter
NAVAIR Level 1 class 4 Type 2 Certified VERTREP (Vertical Replenishment)
Helicopter Control Station
AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
Active Ride Control	Transcom Interceptors
	Foils: 3.24 m2/34.9 feet2 each, forward on inboard sides of demi-hulls
Vehicle Ramp	Articulated Slewing Stern Ramp
	Straight aft to 45 Starboard
Telescoping Boom Crane	12.3 mt @ 15 m, 18.2 mt @ 10 m/13.6 Lt @ 49.2 feet, 20.1 Lt @ 32.8 feet

 

Ships

USNS Spearhead (EPF-1), Delivered USNS Choctaw County (EPF-2), Delivered USNS Millinocket (EPF-3), Delivered USNS Fall River (EPF-4), Delivered USNS Trenton (EPF-5), Delivered USNS Brunswick (EPF-6), Delivered USNS Carson City (EPF-7), Delivered USNS Yuma (EPF-8), Completed acceptance trials USNS Bismark (EPF-9), Under construction USNS Burlington (EPF-10), Under construction USNS Puerto Rico (EPF-11), Under construction USNS EPF-12, On order