NASSCO to launch first Mobile Landing Platform ship

Written b Gary Robbins
8:30 a.m., Oct. 25, 2012



NASSCO is preparing to launch the USNS Montford Point, the lead ship of a newly designed class of Navy auxiliary vessels that will each serve as a "pier-at-sea", making it easier for the military to move supplies and personnel back and forth from shore. NASSCO

General Dynamics NASSCO has chosen Nov. 13th as the date that it will launch Montford Point, the lead ship in a new class of cargo vessels that the Navy will use to transport supplies and personnel between ships and the shore. All three MLPs are scheduled to be built at NASSCO in a $1.3 billion deal. NASSCO last launched a ship in May, when it guided the dry cargo vessel Cesar Chavez into San Diego Bay.

NASSCO formally delivered the Chavez to the Navy on Wednesday.
NASSCO also is doing repairs and upgrades on the littoral combat ship Independence. The work is scheduled to be completed on Dec. 22.

Here's an expanded list of existing and upcoming work at local yards, provided by the Navy's Southwest Regional Maintenance Center:
NASSCO
The cruiser Cape St. George will enter dry-dock on Jan. 7 for work that will last until Feb. 22. And the 840-foot amphibious assault ship Essex will enter dry-dock on Feb. 27 for an overhaul expected to cost more than $100 million.

BAE SAN DIEGO SHIP REPAIR
The destroyer Howard, which has been in dry-dock since Aug. 3, will leave the dock on Nov. 16th. Three days later, on Nov. 19th, the cruiser Bunker Hill will enter dry dock and remain there until Feb. 14. On the same day, the destroyer Milius will dock at BAE for work that will last until May 2.
BAE is already at work on the amphibious warship New Orleans, the destroyer John Paul Jones, the cruiser Chancellorsville, and the mine-countermine vessel Chief.

CONTINENTAL MARITIME
The destroyers Kidd and Comstock are currently at dock. The yard has not announced when the work will be completed.

NASSCO delivers the Cesar Chavez to the Navy

Navy christens San Diego-bound warship America

NASSCO to launch first Mobile Landing Platform ship | UTSanDiego.com