The
U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the first Mobile Landing Platform, USNS
Montford Point (MLP 1), from General Dynamics-NASSCO on May 14, in San
Diego, Calif. The Mobile Landing Platform is a new class of ship and
highly flexible platform that will provide capability for large-scale
logistics movements such as the transfer of light and heavy vehicles
and equipment from sea to shore.
"MLP 1 has gone from concept to delivery in under five years, a
remarkable feat reflecting the diligent work of the Navy and shipbuilding
team from design through testing and trials," said Capt. Henry
Stevens, PEO Ships' program manager for strategic and theater sealift.
"With its open, reconfigurable mission deck, USNS Montford Point
will deliver innovation and exceptional flexibility to future Fleet
operations." |
Delivery
of Montford Point represents the official transfer of the ship from
the shipbuilder to the Navy and is a major milestone in the ship's transition
to operational status. Delivery follows the successful completion of
Acceptance Trials, evaluating the ship's major systems and equipment.
Named in honor of the 20,000 African-American Marine Corps recruits
trained at Montford Point Camp, N.C., MLP 1 is a modular, adaptable
platform that may be used across a broad range of military operations
supporting multiple operational phases. 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. |
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. MLP 1 has a maximum speed of 15 knots and range of 9500
nautical miles.
Following delivery, the ship will undergo test and trials period to
install and incorporate the ship's Core Capabilities Set in Portland,
Ore. The CCS includes modules that support a vehicle staging area, sideport
ramp, large mooring fenders and up to three landing craft, air cushioned
(LCAC) vessel lanes. With this set of capabilities, MLP 1 is able to
easily transfer personnel and vehicles from other vessels such as the
large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships (LMSRs) onto LCAC vehicles
and transport them ashore.
The ship is owned by U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) and
operated by a 34-person civilian-mariner crew under contract to MSC.
The Navy plans to integrate an MLP into each of MSC's Maritime Prepositioning
Ship Squadrons. These ships, coupled with a Maritime Prepositioning
Force (MPF) Auxiliary Dry Cargo/Ammunition Ship (T-AKE) and legacy platforms,
provide a first step in crafting a sea-based capability and illuminating
future seabasing requirements.
MSC operates approximately 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships
that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically
preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo
and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.
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. |
