NASSCO: MLP 2 Performs Exceptionally at Sea Trials

The USNS John Glenn (MLP 2) successfully completed the builder’s Sea Trials on Jan. 13.

During the week of sea trials the shipbuilder, General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO), conducted comprehensive tests to demonstrate the performance of all of the ship’s major systems.

USNS John Glenn is the second ship of the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) class. Using the commercially designed Alaska-class crude oil carrier as its base, the Navy’s Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Office (PMS 385) worked in conjunction with NASSCO to develop a design that supports the Navy’s core capabilities while maintaining low costs.

MLP has a maximum speed of 15 knots and range of 9,500 nautical miles. The ship has tankage for 100,000 gallons of potable water and can hold 380,000 gallons of JP-5 jet fuel.

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 in support of a variety of missions including humanitarian support and sustainment of traditional military missions.

Following builder’s trials, the ship will be inspected by the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey during a series of Acceptance Trials.

Delivery of the ship to the Navy is expected in March 2014.

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Press Release, January 17, 2014