A unit for the future aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) rests on the assembly platen at Newport News Shipbuilding, Va. US Navy Photo
The following is the June 20, 2014 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
USNS John Glenn underway. NASSCO Photo
U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC) took delivery of the second Mobile Landing Platform, USNS John Glenn (MLP-2) on Tuesday, according to an announcement of builder General Dynamics NASSCO. Read More
USNI News polled its writers, naval analysts, and service members on what they consider the most important military and maritime stories in 2013. Read More
An artist’s conception of the Afloat Forward Staging Base. USMC Photo
Clarification: A previous version of this post included an out-of-date artist’s conception of the Lewis B. Puller.
General Dynamics NASSCO laid the keel for the U.S. Navy’s first dedicated design for an afloat forward staging base (AFSB) on Tuesday in the company’s San Diego, Calif. shipyard, according to the company. Read More
USNS Montford Point (T-MLP 1) is floated out of General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard on Nov. 12, 2012. US Navy Photo.
USNS Montford Point (MLP-1) has left NASSCO’s San Diego, Calif. shipyard to begin contract trials under the auspices of the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), Military Sealift Command officials told USNI News on Thursday.
The first Mobile Landing Platform is expected to arrive Friday at Naval Station Everett, Wash. to conduct contract acceptance trails that will extend into September. Read More
Two Oliver Hazard Perry-class (FFG-7) frigates undergo maintenance at NASSCO’s San Diego shipyard. NASSCO Photo
This story was updated from a previous version to include a statement from NASSCO.
Shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO could lay off as many as 730 at its San Diego, Calif. shipyard and maintenance facility in Mayport, Fla. by late April due to pending Department of Defense budget cuts, read a NASSCO statement provided to USNI News on Thursday. Read More
Proceedings, Jan. 2013
The U.S. Navy’s 14th and final Lewis and Clark –class dry-cargo/ammunition ship was delivered on 24 October. Built by General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, the USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14), pictured here while still under construction, was launched on 5 May.
NASSCO Photo
Named for the Mexican-American activist, the 689-foot ship has a beam of 105.6 feet and a draft of 30 feet and is operated by the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The 14 ships of the class are tasked primarily with transporting and delivery of logistics supplies to include ammunition, food, fuel, repair parts, and ship-store items to U.S. and allied vessels at sea. The Cesar Chavez and her sisters each displace roughly 41,000 tons and can carry more than 10,000 tons of cargo. The Lewis and Clark class forms a sizable percentage of the 34 ships that make up Military Sealift Command’s Combat Logistics Force.
