USNS John Glenn is the second ship of the Mobile Landing
Platform (MLP) class. Using the commercially designed Alaska-class
crude oil carrier as its base, the Navy's Strategic and Theater Sealift
Program Office (PMS 385) worked in conjunction with NASSCO to develop
a design that supports the Navy's core capabilities while maintaining
low costs.
MLP has a maximum speed of 15 knots and range of 9,500
nautical miles. The ship has tankage for 100,000 gallons of potable
water and can hold 380,000 gallons of JP-5 jet fuel. 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 in support of a
variety of missions including humanitarian support and sustainment
of traditional military missions.
Following Builder's Trials, the ship will be inspected
by the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey during a series of Acceptance
Trials. Delivery of the ship to the Navy is expected in March 2014.
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 nation's maritime strategy.
