The
U.S. Navy's first Mobile Landing Platform, USNS Montford Point (MLP)
1, successfully completed Acceptance Trials on April 19, in San Diego,
Calif. Built by General Dynamics-NASSCO, MLP is a highly flexible platform
that will provide capability for large-scale logistics movements such
as the transfer of vehicles and equipment from sea to shore. |
The Navy's
Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) found the ship to be well-built
and inspection-ready. The trials evaluated the ship's major systems
and equipment to include a full power run, ballasting, and demonstrations
of the ship's control, navigation, and communication systems.
"MLP 1 performed extremely well during these trials with no major
issues or deficiencies identified. This is an unprecedented result for
a first-of-class ship and is a testament to the dedication, preparation
and effort of the entire Navy-Industry shipbuilding team," said
Capt. Henry Stevens, PEO Ships' program manager for Strategic and Theater
Sealift. "This ship will deliver exceptional capability and flexibility
to the Fleet, supporting a broad range of military operations." |
Acceptance
trials represent the cumulative efforts following a series of in-port
and underway inspections conducted jointly by the MLP Program Office,
SUPSHIP Bath - San Diego detachment, INSURV and, GD-NASSCO, throughout
the build, test and trials process. The trials are the last significant
shipbuilding milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy, expected
to occur later this spring.
The 83,000 ton, 785-foot ship will leverage float-on/float-off
technology, allowing Montford Point to partially submerge, facilitating
easy movement of cargo and craft. Additionally, the ship's size allows
for 25,000 square feet of vehicle and equipment stowage space and 380,000
gallons of JP-5 fuel storage.
With this set of capabilities, the ship is able to easily transfer personnel
and vehicles from other vessels such as the large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off
ships (LMSRs) onto landing craft air cushioned (LCAC) vehicles and transport
them ashore. The platform's open, reconfigurable mission deck will serve
as an important flexible and transformational asset to the Navy as it
can be reconfigured to support a wide variety of future operations.
Acting as a mobile seabase, MLP will be part of the critical access
infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to
provide prepositioned equipment and supplies with flexible distribution.
As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations,
PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement
of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships,
and special warfare craft. Delivering high-quality war fighting assets
- while balancing affordability and capability - is key to supporting
the Navy's Maritime Strategy.
from : Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications
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