USNS John Glenn’s Christening Set for Tomorrow

The U.S.Navy’s future USNS John Glenn (MLP 2), the second ship of the Montford Point-Class, will be christened tomorrow in San Diego, Calif.

 
USNS John Glenn completed Builder’s Sea Trials on January 13 passing all tests with flying colors at its shipbuilder General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO).

Once delivered to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC), John Glenn will be designated as a United States Naval Ship (USNS).

During the ceremony, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, will deliver the principal address, while Lyn Glenn, daughter of John Glenn, will serve as the ship’s sponsor.

The future USNS John Glenn (MLP 2), has been named in honor of John Glenn, the legendary astronaut who is the last surviving member of the Mercury 7 crew. He was the first American to orbit the Earth on Friendship 7 and even flew aboard the Discovery space shuttle at the age of 77.

The ship will feature float-on/float-off technology, allowing John Glenn to partially submerge, facilitating easy transport of crew, cargo and craft. MLP has a maximum speed of 15 knots and range of 9,500 nautical miles. At 785 feet long, MLPs displace more than 78,000 tons when fully loaded.

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Naval Today Staff, January 31, 2014; Image: US Navy