Navy eyes autonomous capability for Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel

摘要

U.S. Navy shipboard electronics experts are introducing autonomous capability in the expeditionary fast transport ship, which is designed for rapid intratheater transport of medium-sized cargo payloads. Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington have announced a $44 million order to Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., to design, install, and demonstrate autonomous capability in the Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Apalachicola (T-EPF-13), which is under construction in Mobile, Ala. The EPF provides high speed, shallow-draft transport capability to move as much as 600 tons of personnel, supplies, and equipment as far as 1,200 nautical miles within military theaters at top speeds between 35 and 45 knots.