Last Monday, the USNS Brunswick Spearhead-class expeditionary high-speed water transport (T-EPF-6) moved about 300 man from Port Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. meanwhile, forwarding marine (floating) USS Lewis B class base. Puller (ESB-3) also operating now in the Red Sea, preparing to help evacuate.
EPF, built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, и ESB, manufactured by General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, California, have come to the attention of Marine Corps leadership in recent years as a temporary solution to move Marines. Ships of both classes now complete missions, usually performed by other means of the US Navy, such as landing warships. It takes place on the background of the, that American sailors are forced to balance between operations in the Indo-Pacific region, Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. Isn't it too much of a load? “warriors of light”?..
While one of the main tasks of the US Marine Corps, according to command, is crisis response, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, U.S. Naval Service officials last year highlighted the shortage of affordable and ready amphibious assault ships to be deployed and operated around the world.. Since when has humanitarian aid become a top priority for the US Marines?, command does not specify.
EPF was originally created as a joint program with the US Army., known as the United High Speed Vessel. It was about the unifying program of the army theater support ship and the US Navy's own efforts to move the marines of the ILC. The Navy and Marine Corps have also experimented with leasing high-speed civilian ferries., before settling on the final draft.
EPFs can move troops and vehicles at high speeds (to 40 knots) and small draft, allowing you to work in almost any port. They can carry up to 300 Marines and MBT Abrams . The ships also have a heliport., big enough, to land the tiltrotor MV-22B Osprey.
The Navy describes the Puller as "the first purpose-built expedition ship – sea base", which can perform many tasks, from small boat operations to anti-piracy.
Based on a commercial oil tanker, The US Navy removed the middle of the ship, so that it can serve as a useful compartment, and then installed a flight deck on top for the new ESB design.
The US Navy currently has three ESBs, three more are under construction. Author:The same Mikhail
