General Dynamics Nassco has started construction on the US Navy’s second expeditionary base mobile (ESB) ship.
The new 784ft-long vessel will feature 52,000f² flight deck, fuel and equipment storage, repair spaces, magazines, and mission planning spaces.
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With a capacity to accommodate up to 250 personnel, the new ESB ship will support multiple missions, such as air mine counter measures (AMCM), counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations, humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions and US Marine Corps crisis response.
In addition, the vessel will be capable of supporting MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters, with an option for future upgrades to support MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft.
In 2011, the US Navy awarded Nassco a contract to construct two mobile landing platforms (MLP), the USNS Montfod Point and USNS John Glenn.
The MLPs were later reclassified as Expeditionary Transfer Docks (ESD).
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By GlobalDataThe navy added another MLP, the USNS Lewis B Puller, to the contract and it was reconfigured as an ESB, formerly known as a MLP afloat forward staging base (AFSB).
Having started construction in 2013, Nassco delivered USNS Lewis B Puller in June this year.
The vessel was named in after Lieutenant General Lewis B Puller, a distinguished combat veteran of World War II and the only marine to be awarded five navy crosses.
In April, Nassco secured a $24.1m contract from the US Navy for the sustainment execution of littoral combat ships (LCS), when they are home-ported in or visiting San Diego.
Under the contract, NASSCO will plan, furnish material, and provide support and facilities to maintain and modernise twelve LCS ships.
Image: The US Navy’s ESB ship will support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters. Photo: courtesy of General Dynamics.
