Keel Laid for the Future USNS Lansing

Keel Laid for the Future USNS Lansing

By Team Ships Strategic Operations

MOBILE, Ala. - The keel for the future USNS Lansing (EPF 16), an Expeditionary Fast Transport, the third of the Spearhead-class EPF Flight II configuration, was laid Sept. 6 at Austal USA.

A keel laying ceremony represents the joining together of the ship's modular components at the land level. During the ceremony, the keel is authenticated when a welder etches the initials of the ship sponsor into the keel plate. The ship's sponsor is the Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.

"This ship highlights the success and importance of our Maritime Statecraft initiative, encompassing a national, whole-of-government effort to restore the comprehensive maritime power of our Nation," said Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro. "The future USS Lansing is named for the capital city of the state that is a leader in developing the techno-industrial workforce we need to build and assemble the ships, munitions, parts, and pieces our Naval fleet requires, and where, last month, the sponsor, Gov. Whitmer and I announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) initiative."

The Flight II EPF is a modified configuration that allows the ship to deploy as a fast transport or with Role 2 enhanced (2E) medical capability, or both. Medical capability includes an intensive care unit, ward beds, limited X-ray, laboratory, and dental support. Additional capabilities that support the ship's medical mission include V-22 flight operations and the ability to deploy 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats.

"A keel laying ceremony is the start of a ship's journey," said Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager Tim Roberts. "We look forward to working with our industry partners during the construction process and getting another player on the field for the fleet."

PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense's largest acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, auxiliary ships, special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.