NASSCO Unveils Next-Gen Vessel for Navy’s Expeditionary Sea Base Program
General Dynamics NASSCO has commenced the construction of a fifth ship for the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD)/Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) program.
Designed to provide increased flexibility and operational capabilities for maritime-to-land missions, the new ESB will feature a 52,000 square-foot flight deck, provisions for fuel and equipment, maintenance zones, ammunition storage, mission planning facilities, and accommodations for up to 250 personnel. Serving as a ‘pier at sea,’ this 784-foot vessel is built to support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters as well as MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft.
Referred to as ESB 5, this vessel represents the fifth installment in a contract between NASSCO and the U.S. Navy, which originally included two Expeditionary Transfer Docks: USNS Montford Point (T-ESD 1) and USNS John Glenn (T-ESD 2).
The first two crafts, formerly known as Mobile Landing Platforms (MLPs), were developed and manufactured by NASSCO to support vehicle staging and transfers alongside the operation of LCAC crafts. In 2012, a third ship, the USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3), was added to the agreement and reconfigured into an ESB, previously identified as an MLP Afloat Forward Staging Base, to support a wide range of military operations. All three vessels have been delivered to the U.S. Navy, and in October 2015, NASSCO began work on ESB 4, known as the USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams.
NASSCO is the largest shipyard on the Pacific coast of the United States, focusing on the design, building, and repair of ocean-going vessels. Over the last decade, NASSCO has provided more than 30 maritime vessels to governmental and commercial customers, including the world’s first LNG-powered container ships and numerous additional lead vessels.
