Tag Archives: General Dynamics NASSCO

Navy

The lead ship

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the lead ship of its new class of fleet replenishment oilers, USNS John Lewis (T-AO-205), July 26.

USNS John Lewis (T-AO-205)
The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the lead ship of its new class of fleet replenishment oilers, USNS John Lewis (T-AO-205), July 27. T-AO 205’s delivery follows the completion of Acceptance Trials with the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey to test the readiness and capability of the craft and to validate requirements

T-AO 205’s delivery follows the completion of Acceptance Trials with the U.S. Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) to test the readiness and capability of the craft and to validate requirements.

«USNS John Lewis (T-AO-205) will provide much needed capability to the fleet as the primary fuel pipeline at sea», said John Lighthammer, program manager, Auxiliary and Special Mission Shipbuilding Program Office. «This is the first of a 20-ship class providing the Sailors and merchant mariners another tool to support at-sea operations».

The new John Lewis-class T-AOs will be operated by Military Sealift Command to provide diesel fuel and lubricating oil, and small quantities of fresh and frozen provisions, stores, and potable water to Navy ships at sea, and jet fuel for aircraft. The new T-AOs will add capacity to the U.S. Navy’s Combat Logistics Force and become the cornerstone of the fuel delivery system.

NASSCO is currently in production on USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO-206), USNS Earl Warren (T-AO-207), and USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO-208). The future USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO-209) and USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO-210) are under contract.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft.

Navy

Keel Laying for «Woody»

On Tuesday, August 2, General Dynamics NASSCO hosted a keel laying ceremony for the future USNS Hershel «Woody» Williams (T-ESB-4), the U.S. Navy’s second Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) currently under construction at the company’s San Diego shipyard.

3D Model USNS Hershel «Woody» Williams (T-ESB-4)
3D Model USNS Hershel «Woody» Williams (T-ESB-4)

The ship’s namesake, Hershel Woodrow «Woody» Williams, spoke at the ceremony, and his two daughters, Travie Ross and Tracie Ross, welded their initials onto the keel of the ship. Williams, a retired U.S. Marine, received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. He is the last surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor from that battle.

Many dignitaries and fellow Medal of Honor recipients attended the ceremony, including retired Marine Corps Colonel Robert Modrzejewski, a Medal of Honor recipient recognized for his conspicuous gallantry during the Vietnam War; Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward Byers, Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient recognized for his efforts during a hostage rescue in Afghanistan; and Brigadier General William M. Jurney, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego.

«The story of Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams is remarkable. It’s a story of valiant devotion, extraordinary courage and American heroism», said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager for General Dynamics NASSCO. «We have the distinct honor of constructing a ship that will reflect the strength and fearlessness of its namesake and will provide global, advanced capabilities for future generations of Marines and sailors to come».

Ms. Travie Ross welds her initials onto the keel
Ms. Travie Ross welds her initials onto the keel

USNS Hershel «Woody» Williams (T-ESB-4) is the Navy’s second ESB ship. The 784-foot-long/239-meter-long ship will serve as a flexible platform to support a variety of missions, including air mine countermeasures, counter-piracy operations, maritime security and humanitarian missions.

The ship will provide for accommodations for up to 250 personnel, a 52,000-square-foot/4,831-square-meter flight deck, fuel and equipment storage, and will also support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters with an option to support MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft. The ship is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

General Dynamics NASSCO has delivered three ships in the class to the U.S. Navy: USNS Montford Point (ESD-1), USNS John Glenn (ESD-2) and USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB-3). USNS Hershel «Woody» Williams (T-ESB-4) is the fourth ship to be constructed by NASSCO shipbuilders under the program and a fifth ship is currently under contract for advanced procurement.

NASSCO maintains a bi-coastal ship maintenance and repair operation with locations in San Diego; Mayport, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; and Bremerton, Washington.

Colonel Robert Modrzejewski, USMC (Ret), Medal of Honor Recipient; CWO-04 Hershel «Woody» Williams, USMC (Ret), Medal of Honor Recipient; and Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward Byers, Jr., Medal of Honor Recipient
Colonel Robert Modrzejewski, USMC (Ret), Medal of Honor Recipient; CWO-04 Hershel «Woody» Williams, USMC (Ret), Medal of Honor Recipient; and Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward Byers, Jr., Medal of Honor Recipient
Navy

Mobile Landing Platform

On June 12, 2015 General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (GD), delivered the U.S. Navy’s newest ship, the USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1). The ship is named in honor of the late U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Lewis «Chesty» Puller, the most decorated Marine and the only one to be awarded five Navy Crosses. Construction on the USNS Lewis B. Puller began in 2013.

The USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1) sails past Point Loma during its Builders Trials on April 9th, 2015
The USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1) sails past Point Loma during its Builders Trials on April 9th, 2015

«Today’s delivery of the USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1) to the U.S. Navy symbolizes an immense culmination of efforts made by the hard-working men and women of the General Dynamics NASSCO shipbuilding team», said Kevin Mooney, vice president of operations at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard. «At NASSCO we are building and delivering affordable ships that are providing new and revolutionary capabilities for America’s Navy and Marine Corps».

The Afloat Forward Staging Base (ASFB) modifications add a 52,000 square-foot/4,831 square-meter flight deck, fuel and equipment storage, repair spaces, magazines, mission planning spaces and accommodations for up to 250 personnel. The ship is capable of supporting multiple missions including Air Mine Counter Measures (AMCM), counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations, humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions and Marine Corps crisis response. The ship is designed to support MH-53 and MH-60 helicopters, and will be upgraded to support MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft.

Earlier this year, NASSCO shipbuilders christened the ship with a ceremony at the company’s shipyard in San Diego. The commandant of the Marine Corps, General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., was the ceremony’s principal speaker. Ms. Martha Puller Downs, daughter of General Puller, served as the ship’s sponsor.

The U.S. Navy has awarded NASSCO a contract for the detail design and construction of a fourth Mobile Landing Platform (MLP), to be configured as another Afloat Forward Staging Base. Construction of the fourth MLP-4/AFSB-2 is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1) undergoes Builders Trials April 9th, 2015
The USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1) undergoes Builders Trials April 9th, 2015

 

General Characteristics

Builder:                                              NASSCO

Propulsion:                                      Commercial Diesel Electric Propulsion

Length:                                              785 feet/239.3 m

Beam:                                                 164 feet/50 m

Displacement:                               78,000 tons (fully loaded)

Draft:                        29.5 feet/9 m (fully loaded); 39 feet/12 m (load line)

Speed:                                                15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h

Range:                      9,500 nautical miles/10,932 miles/17,594 km

Crew:                                                 34 Military Sealift Command personnel

Accommodations:                      250 personnel

 

Ships:

USNS Montford Point (MLP-1)

USNS John Glenn (MLP-2)

USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1)

USNS (MLP-4/AFSB-2) – Under construction

General Dynamics NASSCO Delivers USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1)
General Dynamics NASSCO Delivers USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3/AFSB-1)