Sea Platforms
NASSCO delivers modified MLP to US Navy
Grace Jean, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Navy International
19 June 2015
The US Navy's third Mobile Landing Platform and first Afloat Forward Staging Base variant Lewis B Puller (MLP 3/AFSB 1), on sea trials in April 2015. Source: General Dynamics NASSCO
General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) has handed over to the US Navy (USN) a third Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) - the first MLP to be configured as an Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB).
Lewis B Puller (MLP 3/AFSB 1) was delivered earlier in June at NASSCO's San Diego, California shipyard. The 223 m vessel, based on the Alaska-class tanker design, was modified to include a 52,000 ft 2 flight deck, designed to support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters, along with repair spaces, storage for fuel and equipment, and magazines. The AFSB configuration also includes accommodation and mission planning areas for up to 250 personnel. In addition, the navy is planning to upgrade the flight deck to enable the operation of US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.
AFSB is also meant to support mine countermeasures (with deck cargo space for four Mk 105 minesweeping sleds), patrol craft, and special operations forces in regions where the USN does not have sufficient shore basing.
Lewis B Puller is expected to deploy to the Gulf area of operations in the 2016 time frame to replace USS Ponce (AFSB (I)-15), the interim afloat staging base that has been operating in the region.
Two MLPs are in commission under the auspices of the US Military Sealift Command: USNS Montford Point (MLP 1) and USNS John Glenn (MLP 2).
http://www.janes.com/article/52423/nassco-delivers-modified-mlp-to-us-navy
