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Austal USA Secures $867.6M Contract for Cutting-Edge Bethesda Class Expeditionary Medical Ships
By Sea and Coast | 24/12/2023
Austal USA Secures $867.6M Contract for Cutting-Edge Bethesda Class Expeditionary Medical Ships
  
Austal USA recently secured a substantial $867.6 million contract for the final design and construction phase of the new U.S. Navy hospital ships, marking a pivotal step towards replacing the longstanding vessels, USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy, operational since the mid-1980s. Leveraging its Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) platform, Austal USA plans to fabricate these vessels on its American aluminum manufacturing line following the completion of the last EFT, initiated in 2022 and under construction since October 2023.
Termed the Expeditionary Medical Ship, this innovative design, a variant of the EPF platform, introduces a fresh perspective for Navy hospital ships. Engineered for agility with a shallow draft, the catamaran configuration promises increased stability, ideal for medical operations. Notably, the Bethesda Class ships aim for enhanced reach, enabling access to remote ports, facilitated by a flight deck capable of handling various military aircraft, including Ospreys and Sikorsky crafts.
These next-gen hospital ships, boasting speeds exceeding 30 knots and a range of 5,500 miles, will accommodate over 220 personnel and offer advanced medical facilities akin to onshore naval hospitals. Austal's CEO, Paddy Gregg, underscores the vessels' capability to perform intricate medical procedures at sea, elevating the Navy's global medical and surgical support.
Moreover, Austal USA, having delivered 13 EPFs to the Navy, is currently focusing on EPS Flight II, with the USNS Cody as its inaugural vessel. The Cody, equipped with comprehensive medical amenities, will support medical patients and embarked forces, setting the stage for subsequent Flight II vessels before the advent of the Bethesda Class EMS.
 
Sea And Coast , @seaandcoast1 , seaandcoast1 , Sea and coast , www.seaandcoast.in
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