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GD NASSCO Successfully Launched 1st Afloat Forwarding Staging Base (AFSB) variant MLP

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Naval Industry News - USA
 
 
 
GD NASSCO Successfully Launched 1st Afloat Forwarding Staging Base (AFSB) variant MLP
 
The U.S. Navy's third Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), Lewis B. Puller successfully completed launch and float-off at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) shipyard Nov. 6. Lewis B. Puller is the first afloat forwarding staging base (AFSB) variant of the MLP. The ship is designed around four core capabilities - aviation, berthing, equipment staging area, and command and control - and optimized to support a variety of maritime missions.
     
The U.S. Navy's third Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), Lewis B. Puller successfully completed launch and float-off at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) shipyard Nov. 6. Lewis B. Puller is the first afloat forwarding staging base (AFSB) variant of the MLP. The ship is designed around four core capabilities - aviation, berthing, equipment staging area, and command and control - and optimized to support a variety of maritime missions. The Lewis B. Puller successfully completed launch and float-off at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) shipyard Nov. 6. Picture: NASSCO
     
"The maturity and stability of the Mobile Landing Platform shipbuilding program has allowed for the smooth transition to the afloat forward staging base variant," said Capt. Henry Stevens, Strategic and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office, Ships. "Even with the design changes to accommodate the increased capability, this ship is on track deliver on cost and on schedule."

The design of the AFSB variant adds a flight deck, berthing, fuel storage, equipment storage, and repair spaces. With a rotating crew of civilian mariners and military personnel the ship can operate forward almost continuously, providing a base of operations for everything from counter-piracy/smuggling, maritime security, and mine clearing to humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
     
The U.S. Navy's third Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), Lewis B. Puller successfully completed launch and float-off at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) shipyard Nov. 6. Lewis B. Puller is the first afloat forwarding staging base (AFSB) variant of the MLP. The ship is designed around four core capabilities - aviation, berthing, equipment staging area, and command and control - and optimized to support a variety of maritime missions. The ship is designed around four core capabilities - aviation, berthing, equipment staging area, and command and control - and optimized to support a variety of maritime missions. Picture: NASSCO
     
During float-off, the launching dock was slowly flooded with water until the ship could freely float for the first time. Following launch, the ship will complete its construction and then go to sea in 2015 to complete a series of at-sea test and trials prior to delivery in 2015.

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.
     
The U.S. Navy's third Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), Lewis B. Puller successfully completed launch and float-off at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) shipyard Nov. 6. Lewis B. Puller is the first afloat forwarding staging base (AFSB) variant of the MLP. The ship is designed around four core capabilities - aviation, berthing, equipment staging area, and command and control - and optimized to support a variety of maritime missions. The AFSB current design could be modified in order to accomodate MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft
     
Speaking to Navy Recognition during the Sea-Air-Space 2014 exposition, Tom Wetherald (Director of Business Development at GD NASSCO) explained that there is an accommodation block located forward for up to 250 personnel for the flight crew or other mission personnel such as Navy Seals or Marines. This space also features a hangar capable of fitting two MH-53 helicopters plus aviation maintenance and mission specific spaces.

The ship retains the capability of ballasting down. Eventhough the ship is configured for air mine countermeasure missions with MH-53 helicotpers, NASSCO believes the US Navy is about to order a study on the ability of AFSB to handle the MV-22. It should not be a significant job to modify the existing design in order to handle the MV-22. AFSB will have an endurance of over 9,500 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots.