USNS Point Loma Successfully Concludes Navy Acceptance Trials Ahead of Upcoming Delivery

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A recent publication by austal USA reveals that the company has wrapped up acceptance trials for the upcoming USNS Point Loma (EPF 15). These trials took place on May 21, in collaboration with the Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program team.

With these trials now behind them, Point Loma is set too be delivered to the Navy in June 2025.A senior executive at austal USA expressed gratitude towards their dedicated shipyard workforce. Dave Growden, Vice President of Surface Ship Programs, highlighted that this achievement was made possible through the collective efforts of their team, support from EPF program suppliers, and contributions from Navy partners and representatives from the Port of Mobile.During its sea trials, Point Loma underwent rigorous testing while navigating open waters. The goal was to demonstrate that all major systems and equipment were operating effectively under real-world conditions. This hands-on approach ensures that when it joins the fleet, it will meet operational demands seamlessly.

USNS Point Loma (EPF 15) marks a significant addition as it is the second vessel in Austal USA’s EPF Flight II series; its predecessor, USNS Cody, was handed over to the Navy earlier this year in January 2024.

The Flight II variant introduces enhanced medical support capabilities tailored for challenging environments. These ships are designed not just for transport but also provide advanced combat care—making them essential assets during missions requiring swift medical intervention.

To date, Austal USA has successfully delivered a total of 14 EPF vessels to the Navy. Currently, two additional Flight II ships are being constructed at their facility located in Mobile, Alabama.

The completion of these sea trials brings USNS Point Loma one step closer to enhancing naval operations with improved transport and maritime medical support capabilities.