U.S. Navy Christens USNS Lansing, Sixteenth Spearhead-Class Fast Transport Ship for Expeditionary Operations
The U.S. Navy has christened the USNS Lansing, the sixteenth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessel. Built by Austal USA, Lansing measures approximately 103 meters in length and is designed for rapid transport of troops and medical support in contested maritime areas.
It features a reconfigurable mission bay of around 20,000 square feet, a flight deck for large helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, and is powered by four MTU diesel engines allowing speeds over 35 knots. The Flight II configuration reduces cargo capacity to enhance medical and aviation capabilities.
Lansing supports a crew of civilian mariners and can accommodate up to 155 personnel for various missions. The ship's keel was laid in September 2024, and it emphasizes the manufacturing history of Lansing, Michigan. The christening highlights the role of Military Sealift Command in naval logistics, with Lansing enhancing U.S. operational capabilities in both the Indo-Pacific and European theaters.
