USNS Montford Point, the First MLP, Delivered

The 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.

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.

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.

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.

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Press Release, May 16, 2013