USNS John Glenn (MLP 2) successfully completed Final Contract Trials (FCT) off the coast of Manchester, Washington, July 31.
During the trials, the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey along with the ship’s crew tested the vessel’s various hull, mechanical, and electrical systems to demonstrate that the ship meets Navy standards and requirements, and is materially ready to perform all of its slated in-service missions.
John Glenn, the second of the Navy’s Mobile Landing Platforms (MLP), was constructed by General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO). Since delivering to the Navy from NASSCO in March, her crew has moved onboard and begun training on the ship’s systems in preparation for these trials. The ship is designed to facilitate the transfer of vehicles, supplies, equipment and personnel from large Maritime Pre-Positioning Force ships to on-shore locations using Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC).
John Glenn leverages float-on/float-off technology allowing it to partially submerge to support and execute a broad range of military missions including humanitarian support and sustainment of traditional military missions. With its core capability set, MLP 2 features 25,000 square feet of vehicle and stowage space, a vehicle transfer ramp, large mooring fenders, and space for up to three LCAC. The platform’s open, reconfigurable mission deck will serve as an important flexible and transformational asset to the Navy as it can be reconfigured to support a wide variety of future operations.
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