Spearhead-class (EPF)

The program emerged from a 2004 requirement to combine the Army’s Theater Support Vessel and the Navy and Marine Corps’ High Speed Connector programs. Initially designated as the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), the class was conceived to provide rapid intra-theater transport. The lead vessel was launched in 2011 and delivered the following year. In 2015, the class was redesignated as Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF). The design is a derivative of a commercial superferry, adapted for military logistics and sealift operations. While initially a joint-service endeavor, all vessels were eventually transferred to the Navy for operation under the Military Sealift Command.

This class utilizes an aluminum twin-hull catamaran configuration designed for high-speed transit and shallow-draft operations. The vessel features a large, convertible mission bay and a stern-mounted loading ramp capable of supporting heavy vehicle throughput at austere piers. For aerial operations, the ship includes a flight deck and parking area suitable for various heavy-lift helicopters. Internally, the platform provides airline-style seating for embarked forces along with dedicated racks for weapons and equipment. Subsequent variants, designated Flight II, incorporate enhanced medical facilities, including operating rooms and intensive care units, to serve as expeditionary medical ships. However, the aluminum hull has demonstrated structural vulnerability to slamming pressures in rough seas, and the vessel's stability is notably compromised at high speeds or in elevated sea states.

Primary mission sets involve the rapid deployment of company-sized units, equipment, and supplies within a theater of operations. Its shallow draft allows access to degraded or underdeveloped ports inaccessible to larger combatants. Beyond logistics, the Navy has utilized the platform for drug interdiction missions, embarking specialized law enforcement detachments, and for counter-piracy operations. While the vessel lacks organic heavy armament or defensive systems, it serves as a platform for special operations resupply and humanitarian assistance. Limitations have been noted in amphibious assault roles due to the absence of a well deck and the inability of the current ramp to launch vehicles directly into the sea. Recent developments focus on utilizing the platform's speed for medical evacuation and autonomous operations.