AMO Currents - NASSCO begins work on mobile landing platform for U.S. Navy

AMO Currents - Posted: June 14, 2011

NASSCO begins work on mobile landing platform for U.S. Navy

General Dynamics NASSCO, based in San Diego, Calif., has started construction on a Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), the U.S. Navy's newest class of vessel. When completed, the MLPs will be manned by contract civilian merchant mariners.

The shipyard won a contract last month for the construction of two MLPs, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2013. The contract includes the option for the construction of a third vessel.

Each of these new Navy vessels will serve as a "pier at sea" and will become central to Navy and Marine Corps seabasing operations, according to NASSCO, as reported by the Port of San Diego. The MLPs will serve as transfer stations and improve the military's ability to move equipment and cargo from ship to shore without the use of port facilities.

"With the Mobile Landing Platform Program, NASSCO will continue our tradition of building high-quality ships for the U.S. Navy," said Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO.