The US Navy has accepted delivery of its newest Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) ship, the future USNS City of Bismarck (EPF 9).

The 338ft-long ship is the ninth unit a 12-vessel fleet of non-combatant EPFs and was initially launched in June.

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USNS City of Bismarck was built by Austal USA and is set to be owned and operated by the Military Sealift Command.

"With the delivery of EPF 9 to the fleet, the navy continues to provide a variety of capabilities to US operations around the globe."

The shipbuilding company is currently under contract for the development of three additional EPFs.

EPF 9 has been designed to provide warfighters with an adaptable vessel that can be configured and reconfigured to conduct a wide range of missions.

Programme Executive Office (PEO) Ships Strategic and Theater Sealift programme manager captain Scot Searles said: “EPFs continue to be excellent additions to the US Navy force.

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“With the delivery of EPF 9 to the fleet, the navy continues to provide a variety of capabilities to US operations around the globe.”

EPFs are shallow draft, all-aluminium, commercial-based catamarans that are capable of transporting both intra-theatre personnel and cargo loads.

The vessels are able to provide enhanced operational flexibility for a number of activities such as manoeuver and sustainment, relief operations and flexible logistics support.

Furthermore, the Spearhead-class ships feature a flight deck to support the day and night launch of a CH-53 helicopter, in addition to recovery operations.