Vigor Marine to deliver MLP core capability set

Portland, Oregon-based ship repair group Vigor Marine has been selected by the US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to design, build, and integrate the Core Capability Set (CCS) equipping the US Navy's (USN's) three new Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) float-on/float-off (flo-flo) sea-basing support vessels.

NAVSEA awarded the company a USD35 million firm fixed-price contract for CCS detail design, construction, installation, and systems verification on 16 November.

The CCS is a suite of mission components that can be installed and removed from the mission deck – extending from the forecastle to the deckhouse and spanning the width of the vessel – of an MLP ship. Its function is to enable the transfer of vehicles and equipment at-sea from Large Medium-Speed Ro-Ro (LMSR) ships, and to interface with surface connector craft, including the Landing Craft Air-Cushion (LCAC), the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), and the Improved Navy Lighterage System, which can then deliver vehicles and materiel ashore.

Part of the USN's Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future), and described as a 'sea base surface interface hub', the MLP is in essence an at-sea transfer station that will enable cargo to be transferred from LMSRs to landing craft.