| Revision as of 02:26, 13 January 2011 editSaberwyn (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers36,616 edits copyedit and tweaks, save progress← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:04, 13 January 2011 edit undoSaberwyn (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers36,616 edits expand, sectionise, add citation needed tagsNext edit → | ||
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| {{Infobox ship image | {{Infobox ship image | ||
| |Ship image=] | |Ship image=] | ||
| |Ship caption={{USNS|Watkins}} (back) and heavy lift ship ] moor side-by-side off ] during a Mobile Landing Platform |
|Ship caption={{USNS|Watkins}} (back) and heavy lift ship ] moor side-by-side off ] during a demonstration of the Mobile Landing Platform concept in 2005. | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{Infobox ship class overview | {{Infobox ship class overview | ||
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| |Ship armor= | |Ship armor= | ||
| |Ship aircraft= | |Ship aircraft= | ||
| |Ship aircraft facilities= |
|Ship aircraft facilities= | ||
| |Ship notes= | |Ship notes= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| The '''Mobile Landing Platform''' is a |
The '''Mobile Landing Platform''' (MLP) is a type of ] currently being planned for the ], with the first ship due to enter service in 2015. It will act as a staging position between large cargo ships and the smaller craft, such as ]s, which are designed to land directly on beaches, and will be based loosely on the design of the ]. | ||
| ==Design== | ==Design== | ||
| The Mobile Landing Platform concept calls for a large auxiliary support ship to facilitate the ']' of an ] force by acting as a floating base or transfer station that can be prepositioned off the target area.<ref name=DID/><ref name="global security"/> Troops, equipment, and cargo would be transferred to the MLP by large-] ships, from where it can be moved ashore by shallower-draft vessels, landing craft like the ], or helicopters.<ref name=DID/><ref name="global security"/> | |||
| The proposed ships will have a ] of {{convert|34544|MT|lk=on}} and a length of {{convert|800|ft}}.<ref name="global security"/> They will be capable of sailing at {{convert|20|kn|lk=on}}, with a maximum range of {{convert|9000|nmi|lk=on}}.<ref name=DID/> Although the size of the ship's crew is unknown, the vessels will be capable of hosting 1,112 ] and their equipment.<ref name="global security"/> | The proposed ships will have a ] of {{convert|34544|MT|lk=on}} and a length of {{convert|800|ft}}.<ref name="global security"/> They will be capable of sailing at {{convert|20|kn|lk=on}}, with a maximum range of {{convert|9000|nmi|lk=on}}.<ref name=DID/> Although the size of the ship's crew is unknown, the vessels will be capable of hosting 1,112 ] and their equipment.<ref name="global security"/> | ||
| ⚫ | The MLP will also include ample space for the equipment used by troops aboard, including jeeps, helicopters, and mobile assault vehicles.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} It may also be able to accommodate future high-speed beach landing craft, currently being planned by the United States Navy.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} Using the ship, a US ] brigade could be deployed to a hostile country within a few days, including the {{convert|15000|-|20000|t|LT ST}} of equipment needed to support such a brigade.{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} | ||
| The class will be based around the idea of ']', where US troops would be based aboard the ship. Because of this, the ship is expected to be fitted with the ability to land helicopters, and to transfer large amounts of cargo and vehicles from its hold to another vessel berthed alongside. This will be accomplished using a simple ramp system which can be used in calm seas. It will not be able to operate in rough seas, or in areas where there are hazards to large shipping, such as mines or underwater obstacles. | |||
| ==Concept testing== | |||
| ⚫ | The |
||
| In September 2005, the United States Navy approved trials of the MLP concept, to test the feasibility of ] for an ].<ref name="global security">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/mlp.htm |title=Mobile Landing Platform |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |accessdate=13 January 2011}}</ref> The ] ] served as the substitute for the MLP, while the ] vessel {{USNS|Watkins|T-AKR-315|6}} played the role of a planned type of transport ship for the United States ].<ref name="global security"/> The first part of the trial consisted of the two ships transferring cargo between themselves while anchored in ].<ref name="global security"/> After successfully completing this, the vessels sailed to ], where cargo was transferred from ''Watkins'' to ''Mighty Servant 1'', then taken ashore by LCACs; slightly submerging the deck of the heavy lift ship allowed the LCAC hovercraft to "'fly' aboard".<ref name="global security"/> | |||
| A second series of tests was conducted off ] in September and October 2006, with {{USNS|Red Cloud}} and ].<ref name=DID/> This time, the ships were moored together while underway, during which vehicles drove from ''Red Cloud'' onto '"Mighty Servant 3'', then embarked aboard LCACs.<ref name=DID/> In February 2010, ''Mighty Servant 3'' joined {{USNS|Sonderman}} for further trials in the Gulf of Mexico, during which personnel and a wide range of vehicles, from ]s to ] tanks, in conditions up to ] 4.<ref name=DID/> | |||
| ==Testing== | |||
| The navy tested the concept of a Mobile Landing Platform with {{USNS|Red Cloud}} and ] off the coast of ] in 2010.<ref name="global security">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/mlp.htm|title=GlobalSecurity.org|accessdate=11 January 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ==Construction== | ==Construction== | ||
Revision as of 03:04, 13 January 2011
 USNS Watkins (back) and heavy lift ship MV Mighty Servant 1 moor side-by-side off San Diego during a demonstration of the Mobile Landing Platform concept in 2005.
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | General Dynamics |
| Operators | United States Navy |
| Planned | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 34,544 metric tons (33,998 long tons; 38,078 short tons) |
| Length | 800 feet (240 m) |
| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) |
| Range | 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi) |
| Troops | 1,112 marines |
| Complement | Unknown |
The Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) is a type of amphibious assault ship currently being planned for the United States Navy, with the first ship due to enter service in 2015. It will act as a staging position between large cargo ships and the smaller craft, such as LCACs, which are designed to land directly on beaches, and will be based loosely on the design of the Alaska class oil tanker.
Design
The Mobile Landing Platform concept calls for a large auxiliary support ship to facilitate the 'seabasing' of an amphibious landing force by acting as a floating base or transfer station that can be prepositioned off the target area. Troops, equipment, and cargo would be transferred to the MLP by large-draft ships, from where it can be moved ashore by shallower-draft vessels, landing craft like the LCAC, or helicopters.
The proposed ships will have a displacement of 34,544 metric tons (33,998 long tons; 38,078 short tons) and a length of 800 feet (240 m). They will be capable of sailing at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph), with a maximum range of 9,000 nautical miles (17,000 km; 10,000 mi). Although the size of the ship's crew is unknown, the vessels will be capable of hosting 1,112 marines and their equipment.
The MLP will also include ample space for the equipment used by troops aboard, including jeeps, helicopters, and mobile assault vehicles. It may also be able to accommodate future high-speed beach landing craft, currently being planned by the United States Navy. Using the ship, a US Stryker brigade could be deployed to a hostile country within a few days, including the 15,000–20,000 tonnes (15,000–20,000 long tons; 17,000–22,000 short tons) of equipment needed to support such a brigade.
Concept testing
In September 2005, the United States Navy approved trials of the MLP concept, to test the feasibility of seabasing for an amphibious operation. The Heavy lift ship MV Mighty Servant 1 served as the substitute for the MLP, while the Roll-on/roll-off vessel USNS Watkins played the role of a planned type of transport ship for the United States Maritime Prepositioning Force. The first part of the trial consisted of the two ships transferring cargo between themselves while anchored in Puget Sound. After successfully completing this, the vessels sailed to San Diego, where cargo was transferred from Watkins to Mighty Servant 1, then taken ashore by LCACs; slightly submerging the deck of the heavy lift ship allowed the LCAC hovercraft to "'fly' aboard".
A second series of tests was conducted off Norfolf, Virginia in September and October 2006, with USNS Red Cloud and MV Mighty Servant 3. This time, the ships were moored together while underway, during which vehicles drove from Red Cloud onto '"Mighty Servant 3, then embarked aboard LCACs. In February 2010, Mighty Servant 3 joined USNS Sonderman for further trials in the Gulf of Mexico, during which personnel and a wide range of vehicles, from Humvees to M1 Abrams tanks, in conditions up to Sea State 4.
Construction
In August 2010, General Dynamics in San Diego was awarded a US$115 million contract to design the Mobile Landing Platform, and build the first ship. Construction is due to begin in July 2011. The United States Navy initially plans to acquire three vessels, with the first operational by 2015.
References
- ^ "The US Navy's Mobile Landing Platform Ships". Defense Industry Daily. Watershed Publishing. 18 August 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ "Mobile Landing Platform [MLP]". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
- Robbins, Gary (14 August 2010). "General Dynamics gets $115M for 'pier at sea'". San Diego Union-Tribune. The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC. Retrieved 10 January 2011.