View source for Expeditionary Transfer Dock

{{Short description|Class of cargo ship}}
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|Ship image=USNS John Glenn (T-MLP-2) underway in January 2014.jpg
|Ship caption=[[USNS John Glenn (T-ESD-2)|USNS ''John Glenn'' (T-ESD-2)]] sea trials in 2014
}}{{Infobox ship class overview
|Builders=[[General Dynamics]]
|Operators=[[United States Navy]]
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|Total ships building=4
|Total ships planned=5
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship tonnage=>60,000 metric dwt<ref name=MLP2naming>{{cite web |format=pdf |url=http://www.nassco.com/news-center/galleries/usn-dc/mlp-galleries/mlp-pdfs/MLP-2-Program.pdf#page=14 |pages=14–16 |title=USNS John Glenn (MLP 2) Christening Ceremony |date=1 February 2014 |publisher=General Dynamics NASSCO |access-date=28 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085912/http://www.nassco.com/news-center/galleries/usn-dc/mlp-galleries/mlp-pdfs/MLP-2-Program.pdf#page=14 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Ship length={{convert|785|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=MLP2naming />
|Ship beam={{convert|164|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=MLP2naming />
|Ship draft={{convert|39.37|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=MLP2naming />
|Ship propulsion=*4 × MAN/B&W medium speed diesels
*24&nbsp;MW diesel electric plant, twin screw propellers
*2&nbsp;MW azimuth bow thruster<ref name=MLP2naming />
|Ship speed=>{{convert|15|kn|lk=in}}<ref name=MLP2naming />
|Ship range={{convert|9500|nmi|lk=in}} at 15 knots<ref name=MLP2naming />
|Ship complement=
|Ship troops=
|Ship boats=3 [[Landing Craft Air Cushion|LCAC]]
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
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|Ship aircraft facilities=ESB variant: Hangar for 2 × CH-53 and large flight deck
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}}
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An '''Expeditionary Transfer Dock''' ('''ESD'''), formerly the '''Mobile Landing Platform''' ('''MLP'''), is designed to be a semi-[[submersible]], flexible, modular platform providing the [[US Navy]] with the capability to perform large-scale logistics movements such as the transfer of vehicles and equipment from sea to shore. These ships significantly reduce the dependency on foreign ports and provide support in the absence of port availability. The class also houses a sub-class variant called the '''Expeditionary Mobile Base''' ('''ESB'''), formerly the '''Afloat Forward Staging Base''' ('''AFSB''').

The ESD and ESB are part of a new ship class added in 2015 with an E as a new designator, similar to the L-class amphibious ships, S-class submarines, A-class auxiliaries and more. These three E-class ships were previously listed as seabasing ships in the ''[[Naval Vessel Register]]''. In May 2011, [[General Dynamics]] [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company|NASSCO]] received a $744 million contract modification to fully fund the construction of the first two ships of the class, {{USNS|Montford Point|T-ESD-1|6}} (ESD-1) and {{USNS|John Glenn|T-ESD-2|6}} (ESD-2). Additional funding of $115 million for long lead time material and advanced design was awarded in August 2011. 

The first ship of the ESD program, USNS ''Montford Point'' (ESD-1) was delivered in May 2013, and the second ship, USNS ''John Glenn'' (ESD-2), was delivered March 12, 2014. In 2012, a third MLP, {{USS|Lewis B. Puller|ESB-3|6}} (ESB-3), was added to the contract and reconfigured as an Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB), or formerly known as an MLP Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB). All three ships have been delivered to the U.S. Navy.

In September 2015, the Navy decided to redesignate the MLP as the Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) and the AFSB as the Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB).<ref>[http://www.navytimes.com/story/defense/2015/09/03/navy-ship-designations-jhsv-mlp-afsb-joint-high-speed-vessel-afloat-forward-staging-base-mobile-landing-platform-mabus-greenert/71642184/ "A New Class of Ship – 'Expeditionary Support{{'"}}]. ''Navy Times'', 3 September 2015</ref>  The Navy plans to procure six Expeditionary Mobile Bases (ESBs) in total, with a fourth (ESB-6) ordered in FY2018, a fifth (ESB-7) ordered in FY2019, and the sixth and final ship (ESB-8) with an order date yet to be determined.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RS22478.pdg|title=Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress|publisher=fas.org|date=28 February 2019|access-date=2 March 2019}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

In mid-2022, the Marine Corps announced its intention to retire both ESD ships<ref name="defensenews20june22">[https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-marine-corps/2022/06/20/marines-still-have-big-plans-for-seabasing-ships-as-2-head-for-mothballs/ "Marines still have big plans for seabasing ships as 2 head for mothballs"]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 20 June 2022.</ref> after less than a decade of active service, but this was rejected by Congress in December 2022.<ref name="navytimes.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.navytimes.com/opinion/commentary/2022/12/15/congress-is-building-a-stronger-fleet-than-the-navy/|title=Congress is building a stronger fleet than the Navy|publisher=navytimes.com|date=15 December 2022|access-date=17 December 2022}}</ref> The ships were subsequently placed in reduced operating status.

==Design==
[[File:Computer-generated picture of Mobile Landing Platform.jpg|thumb|A computer-generated image depicting the Expeditionary Transfer Dock design]]

The Expeditionary Transfer Dock concept is a large auxiliary support ship to facilitate the '[[seabasing]]' of an [[amphibious warfare|amphibious landing]] force by acting as a floating base or transfer station that can be prepositioned off the target area.<ref name="DID">{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/The-US-Navys-Mobile-Landing-Platform-Ships-06525/ |title=The US Navy's Mobile Landing Platform Ships |date=18 August 2010 |work=Defense Industry Daily |publisher=Watershed Publishing |access-date=12 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="global security"/> Troops, equipment, and cargo would be transferred to the ESD by large-[[draft (ship)|draft]] ships, from where they can be moved ashore by shallower-draft vessels, landing craft like the [[Landing Craft Air Cushion]] (LCAC), or helicopters.<ref name=DID/><ref name="global security"/> For transferring vehicles from the larger ships to the ESD, the vessels were originally to be fitted with a Vehicle Transfer System: a ramp connecting the two ships alongside and able to compensate for the movements of both vessels while underway.<ref name=Scott/>

[[File:USNSJohnGlennMLP2ChristeningFeb2014.JPG|thumb|USNS ''John Glenn'' (T-ESD-2) naming, Feb 2014]]
A preliminary design by [[General Dynamics]] envisioned a ship that carried six LCACs, with the ability to turn around (dock, unload or load, then launch) two landing craft simultaneously from the stern.<ref name=Scott>{{cite journal |last=Scott |first=Richard |date=30 September 2010 |title=Floating world: US Navy eyes Mobile Landing Platform as sea base pontoon |journal=International Defence Review |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}</ref> The ESDs were to host a [[brigade]]-size force, sail at {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}}, and have a maximum range of {{convert|9000|nmi|lk=in}}.<ref name=Scott/> Each ship was to cost US$1.5 billion to build,<ref name=Scott/> but cutbacks to defense spending planned for the [[Fiscal Year#United States|fiscal year]] 2011 budget forced the downscaling of the design in mid-2009.<ref name=Scott/>

General Dynamics identified the civilian {{sclass|Alaska|oil tanker}} (built by the subsidiary [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]]) as a suitable basis for an "ESD 'Lite'", with the design modified into a float-on/float-off vessel that could be built for US$500 million per ship.<ref name=Scott/> As part of the cost trade-off, the Vehicle Transfer System was scrapped in favor of skin-to-skin mooring of a host ship alongside the ESD, and the LCAC complement was reduced to three.<ref name=Scott/> The new design is {{convert|785|ft}} long, with a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|164|ft}}, a top speed of over {{convert|15|kn}}, and a maximum range of {{convert|9500|nmi}}.<ref name=MLP2naming /> [[Converteam]] supplies an integrated power system and vessel automation system for the ESD.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.converteam.com/majic/pageServer/12040001bb0000/en/20110803-US-Navy-Mobile-Landing-Platform.html |title=20110803 US Navy Mobile Landing Platform |access-date=2011-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310002841/http://www.converteam.com/majic/pageServer/12040001bb0000/en/20110803-US-Navy-Mobile-Landing-Platform.html |archive-date=2012-03-10 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===USS ''Ponce''===
In March 2013 Chief of Naval Operations [[Jonathan Greenert]] showed [[PowerPoint]] of the ESD-[[Expeditionary Mobile Base]] (ESD-ESB), a proposed variant of the ESD with increased accommodation, a [[hangar]] and large [[flight deck]] on piers above the semi-submersible deck,<ref name=aol20130312>{{cite web |url=http://defense.aol.com/2013/03/12/cno-adm-greenert-emphasizes-fleets-bright-future-not-budget-c/ |title=CNO Adm. Greenert Emphasizes Navy's Bright Future, Not Budget Crisis |first=Sydney J. |last=Freedberg Jr. |publisher=AOL Defense |date=12 March 2013 |access-date=21 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323025134/http://defense.aol.com/2013/03/12/cno-adm-greenert-emphasizes-fleets-bright-future-not-budget-c/ |archive-date=23 March 2013 |url-status=dead}} Has image of the MLP-AFSB</ref><ref name=Cavas20130317>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130317/DEFREG02/303170001/U-S-Navy-Weighs-Halving-LCS-Order |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410180532/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130317/DEFREG02/303170001/U-S-Navy-Weighs-Halving-LCS-Order |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 10, 2013 |title=U.S. Navy Weighs Halving LCS Order |date=17 March 2013 |first=Christopher P. |last=Cavas |publisher=Defense News}}</ref> This was first proposed in January 2012, around the time of the sudden announcement that {{USS|Ponce|LPD-15|6}} would be converted as an interim AFSB(I) (ESB).<ref name=Cavas20120127>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120127/DEFREG02/301270010/New-Floating-Base-Ships-Coming-U-S-Navy |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121081753/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120127/DEFREG02/301270010/New-Floating-Base-Ships-Coming-U-S-Navy |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |title=New Floating Base Ships Coming for U.S. Navy |date=27 January 2012 |first=Christopher P. |last=Cavas |publisher=Defense News}}</ref> The ESD-ESB could be used to support special forces and intelligence gathering<ref name=gpo20120307>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112shrg29104503/html/CHRG-112shrg29104503.htm |title=Senate Hearings 112 - DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 |date=7 March 2012 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}</ref> as a base for helicopters, [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|MV-22 Osprey]] tiltrotors and even the [[F-35B]] stealth fighter,<ref name=aol20130312 /> but the main role of the ''Ponce'' will be operating minesweeping [[MH-53E Sea Dragon]] helicopters.<ref name=Cavas20120127/> {{As of|March 2013}} "a number of variations" of the ESD were being considered;<ref name=Cavas20130317 /> the ESB can fulfill many of the roles of a $2.5 billion "big deck" amphibious ship at a quarter of the price.<ref name=aol20130312 />

===Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB) variants===
[[File:USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB-3) at Naval Station Norfolk on 20 April 2016.JPG|thumb|ESB variant {{USS|Lewis B. Puller|ESB-3|6}}]]

Unlike the first two Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD), the '''''Lewis B. Puller'''''-class, or sub-variant, of Expeditionary Mobile Base (ESB) vessels serve to support [[United States special operations forces|special forces missions]], [[Piracy#1990s–2010s|counter-piracy/smuggling operations]], [[maritime security operations]], and [[minesweeping|mine clearance]], as well as [[humanitarian aid]] and [[disaster relief]] missions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.usni.org/2014/07/07/document-navys-30-year-shipbuilding-plan-fiscal-year-2015 |title=Document: Navy's 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan for Fiscal Year 2015 |date=7 July 2014 |website=news.usni.org |publisher=US Navy |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> In order to support these extended roles, the ESBs will have military detachments in addition to the civil service mariners.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seapowermagazine.org/stories/20150610-afsb.html |title=New Afloat Forward-Staging Base Ships to Have Mixed CIVMAR, Sailor Crews |last1=Burgess |first1=Richard R. |date=10 June 2015 |work=SEAPOWER Magazine |access-date=10 June 2015}}</ref>

ESB vessels are designed to support low-intensity missions, allowing more expensive, high-value [[amphibious warfare ships]] and [[Surface combatant|surface combatant warships]] to be re-tasked for more demanding operational missions for the U.S. Navy.<ref name=USNprogramGuide2013>{{Cite web| title= U.S. Navy Program Guide 2013 |url= http://www.navy.mil/navydata/policy/seapower/npg13/top-npg13.pdf |publisher=[[United States Navy]] |date= 6 November 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013|quote=See pages 101–102}}</ref> These ESB variants are slated to operate in the Middle East and the Pacific Ocean.<ref name=USNI11062013>{{Cite web| title= Updated: Keel Laid for First Dedicated Afloat Forward Staging Base |url= http://news.usni.org/2013/11/06/keel-laid-first-dedicated-afloat-forward-staging-base| work=USNI News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |date= 6 November 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref>

Like the first two Expeditionary Transfer Dock, the overall design of the T-ESB-3 and T-ESB-4 is based on the hull of the civilian {{sclass|Alaska|oil tanker}}.<ref name=USNI11062013/> Both ESB variants will be outfitted with support facilities for its mine-sweeping, special operations, and other expeditionary missions. An accommodation barge will also be carried to support up to 298 additional mission-related personnel.<ref name=USNprogramGuide2013/> Their aviation facilities include a {{convert|52000|ft2|m2|abbr=on}} flight deck<ref>{{cite web |url=http://navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2017/july-2017-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/5383-expeditionary-sea-base-usns-lewis-b-puller-begins-first-operational-deployment.html |title=Expeditionary Mobile Base USNS Lewis B. Puller Begins First Operational Deployment |website=navyrecognition.com |date=12 July 2017 |access-date=24 November 2020}}</ref> with landing spots for two heavy-lift transport [[Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion|CH-53]] helicopters, as well as additional deck space for two more CH-53s. ''Lewis B. Puller'' will also have a helicopter hangar, an ordnance storage [[Magazine (artillery)#Naval magazines|magazine]], underway replenishment facilities, and deck space for mission-related equipment storage.<ref name=USNprogramGuide2013/> The addition of a flight deck makes the ship more top-heavy, and so less stable in heavy seas. The deck is made with two operating spots and two parking spots, plus room to store two in the hangar. The mission deck's ability to submerge to launch landing craft was disabled and instead a crane, capable of carrying {{convert|11|MT|ST}} and moving a {{convert|41|ft|m|abbr=on}} boat in up to sea state 3, carries watercraft, towed arrays, and unmanned vehicles into the water.<ref name="usni2nov15">{{cite web |url=http://news.usni.org/2015/11/02/expeditionary-mobile-base-chesty-puller-may-receive-sof-upgrades-before-5th-fleet-deployment |title=Expeditionary Mobile Base Chesty Puller May Receive SOF Upgrades Before 5th Fleet Deployment |website=USNI.org |date=2 November 2015 |access-date=24 November 2020}}</ref>

The United States Navy ordered T-ESB-3 in February 2012 as part of the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013|Fiscal Year 2013]] [[Appropriation (law)|appropriation]] for the [[U.S. Department of Defense]] via the National Defense Sealift Fund (NDSF).<ref name=USNprogramGuide2013/><ref>{{Cite web| title= Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) – Afloat Forward Staging Base |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/mlp-afsb.htm |work=Military |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |date= 15 November 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref>  The keel-laying ceremony for MKP-3 took place at the [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company|General Dynamics NASSCO]] shipyard in [[San Diego]], California, on 5 November 2013.<ref>{{Cite web| title= Keel Laid for Future USNS ''Lewis B. Puller'' |url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=77482 |work=NNS131105-20 |publisher=[[Naval Sea Systems Command]] Office of Corporate Communications |date= 5 November 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title= NASSCO Lays Keel of Third U.S. Navy Platform Ship |url= http://www.marinelink.com/news/platform-nassco-third360615.aspx |work=MarineLink.com |publisher=Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. |date= 5 November 2013 |access-date=5 December 2013}}</ref>

On 16 January 2014, at the Surface Naval Association's national symposium, the head of [[NAVSEA]]'s Strategic and Theater Sealift program, Captain Henry Stevens, announced that the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft would be evaluated for potential operations on board the Expeditionary Mobile Base ESD variant. The testing and certification of MH-53E helicopters for minesweeping operations from ESB support ships was slated to begin during fiscal year 2016. Additionally, Captain Stevens noted that the F-35B [[STOVL]] strike fighter was not then being considered for ESB operations because of exhaust heat from F-35B damaging the flight decks of U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships.<ref name="Muñoz">{{Cite web| first= Carlo |last=Muñoz |title= SNA 2014: Navy Eyes Osprey Flights for AFSB Fleet |url= http://news.usni.org/2014/01/16/sna-2014-navy-eyes-osprey-flights-afsb-fleet |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |date= 16 January 2014 |access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref> Some outfitting and specialized equipment specific to the V-22 was needed to support it, but little engineering work or modifications to the ship needed to be done;<ref name="usni2nov15"/> upon ''Lewis B. Puller''{{'}}s deployment, it had been upgraded to support V-22 operations by Special Operations Forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2017/07/12/expeditionary-sea-base |title=Expeditionary Sea Base USNS Lewis B. Puller Departs for Maiden Deployment |last=Eckstein |first=Megan |website=USNI.org |date=12 July 2017 |access-date=24 November 2020}}</ref>

On 19 December 2014, U.S. Navy's [[Naval Sea Systems Command]] awarded a US$498M contract to General Dynamics NASSCO for the construction of second ESB variant, the as-yet unnamed T-ESB-4. This vessel will be built at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, California, with a scheduled completion date of 2018.<ref name=LaGrone12192014>{{Cite web |first= Sam |last=LaGrone |title= NASSCO Awarded $498 Million for Second Afloat Forward Staging Base |url= http://news.usni.org/2014/12/22/nassco-awarded-498-million-second-afloat-forward-staging-base |work=USNI News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |date= 22 December 2014 |access-date=22 December 2014}}</ref>

On 15 January 2021, [[Secretary of the Navy]] Kenneth J. Braithwaite announced that ESB-7 will be named USS ''Robert Simanek'' in honor of [[Private first class#United States Marine Corps|PFC]] [[Robert E. Simanek|Simanek]], a Marine who was awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] during the [[Korean War]].<ref name="esb7">{{Cite web|date=2021-01-15|title=SECNAV Names Future Vessels while aboard Historic Navy Ship|url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2474454/secnav-names-future-vessels-while-aboard-historic-navy-ship/|access-date=2021-01-16|website=United States Navy|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Concept testing==
[[File:Mobile Landing Platform.jpg|thumb|{{USNS|Watkins|T-AKR-315|6}} (back) and heavy lift ship [[Mighty Servant 1|MV ''Mighty Servant 1'']] moored side-by-side off [[San Diego]] during a demonstration of the Expeditionary Transfer Dock concept in 2005.]]

In September 2005, the United States Navy approved trials of the ESD concept, to test the feasibility of [[seabasing]] for an [[amphibious warfare|amphibious operation]].<ref name="global security">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/mlp.htm |title=Mobile Landing Platform [MLP] |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=13 January 2011}}</ref> The [[heavy lift ship]] [[Mighty Servant 1|MV ''Mighty Servant 1'']] served as the substitute for the ESD, while the [[roll-on/roll-off]] vessel {{USNS|Watkins|T-AKR-315|6}} played the role of a planned type of transport ship for the United States [[Maritime Prepositioning Force]].<ref name="global security"/> The first part of the trial consisted of the two ships transferring cargo between themselves while anchored in [[Puget Sound]].<ref name="global security"/> 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 hovercraft to "'fly' aboard".<ref name="global security"/>

A second series of tests was conducted off [[Norfolk, Virginia]] in September and October 2006, with {{USNS|Red Cloud|T-AKR-313|6}} and [[Mighty Servant 3|MV ''Mighty Servant 3'']].<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|Soderman|T-AKR-317|6}} for further trials in the Gulf of Mexico.<ref name=DID/> During these, personnel and a wide range of vehicles, from [[Humvee]]s to [[M1 Abrams]] tanks, were transferred to, then launched from ''Mighty Servant 3'', in conditions up to [[Sea State]] 4.<ref name=DID/> The transferring cargo was later reduced to Sea State 3 conditions, after some design changes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-us-navys-mobile-landing-platform-ships-06525/|title=The US Navys Mobile Landing Platform Ships (MLP)|work=Defense Industry Daily|access-date=2018-09-17}}</ref>

==Construction==
[[File:USNSJohnGlennNASSSCOFeb2014.JPG|thumb|ESD ''John Glenn'' at NASSCO, in [[San Diego]] ]]

In August 2010, the [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company]] in San Diego was awarded a US$115 million contract to design the Mobile Landing Platform, and build the first ship.<ref name=DID/><ref name="Union-Tribune">{{cite web |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/aug/14/ggeneral-dynamics-gets-115-million-design-new-ship/ |title=General Dynamics gets $115M for 'pier at sea' |last=Robbins |first=Gary |date=14 August 2010 |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=10 January 2011}}</ref> Construction on the first vessel began in July 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Construction Begins on First Mobile Landing Platform|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61345|publisher=[[United States Navy]]|date=30 June 2011|access-date=3 July 2011}}</ref>

By January 2016, the names for the four ships were announced:<ref>Military Sealift Command Press Release: [http://www.msc.navy.mil/N00p/pressrel/press12/press01.htm Navy Names First Three Mobile Landing Platform Ships] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221094138/http://www.msc.navy.mil/N00p/pressrel/press12/press01.htm |date=2013-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=92664 |title=Secretary of the Navy Names Expeditionary Sea Base Ship |website=www.navy.mil |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424201050/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=92664 |archive-date=24 April 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The name for the fifth ship was announced in November 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2017/11/05/secnav-spencer-names-first-ship-vietnam-war-marine-miguel-keith|title=SECNAV Spencer Names First Ship|date=6 November 2017|publisher=usni.org|access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref>

===List of ships===
{|class="wikitable"
!Prefix
!Name
!Hull No.
!Notes
|-
|colspan=6|{{center|'''''Montford Point''-class''' (ESD-variant)}}
|-
|USNS
|{{USNS|Montford Point||2}}
|T-ESD-1
|Inactive, Reduced Operating Status, 23 February 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nvr.navy.mil/SHIPDETAILS/SHIPSDETAIL_ESD_1.HTML|title=USNS Montford Point (T-ESD-1)|publisher=nvr.navy.mil|date=5 May 2022|access-date=17 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
|USNS
|{{USNS|John Glenn||2}}
|T-ESD-2
|Inactive, Reduced Operating Status, 10 January 2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nvr.navy.mil/SHIPDETAILS/SHIPSDETAIL_ESD_2.HTML|title=USNS John Glenn (T-ESD-2)|publisher=nvr.navy.mil|date=5 May 2022|access-date=17 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
|colspan=6|{{center|'''''Lewis B. Puller''-subclass''' (ESB-variant)}}
|-
|USS
|{{USS|Lewis B. Puller|ESB-3|2}}
|ESB-3
|Commissioned: 17 August 2017
|-
|USS
|{{USS|Hershel "Woody" Williams||2}}
|ESB-4
|Commissioned: 7 March 2020
|-
|USS
|{{USS|Miguel Keith||2}}
|ESB-5
|Commissioned: 8 May 2021
|-
|USS
|{{USS|John L. Canley||2}}
|ESB-6
|Commissioned: 17 February 2024
|-
|USS
|{{USS|Robert E. Simanek||2}}
|ESB-7
|Delivered: 12 September 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Robert E. Simanek |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3905797/navy-accepts-delivery-of-future-uss-robert-e-simanek/ |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=United States Navy |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|USS
|{{USS|Hector A. Cafferata Jr.|ESB-8|2}}
|ESB-8
|Under construction: 8 August 2023
|}

Orders for the second and third vessels were made in the 2013 and 2015 fiscal years.<ref name=Scott/>  The keel for the first ''Montford Point''-class Expeditionary Transfer Dock was laid on 19 January 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Keel Laid for Navy's First Mobile Landing Platform |url= http://www.defencetalk.com/keel-laid-for-navys-first-mobile-landing-platform-39937/ |publisher=Defense talk |date=23 January 2012 |access-date=31 January 2012}}</ref> Construction of ''John Glenn'' begin on 17 April 2012,<ref name=flotprom>{{Cite web|url=http://flotprom.ru/news/?ELEMENT_ID=109824|title=Начато строительство второго корабля типа MLP для ВМС США}}</ref> by which time the ''Montford Point'' was 48% complete.<ref name=flotprom/> The ''Montford Point'' was christened in San Diego on March 2, 2013. ''Montford Point'' completed final contract trials on 13 September 2013; ''John Glenn'' was floated off on 15 September and construction began on ''Lewis B. Puller'' on 19 September 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.defensenews.com/intercepts/2013/10/8761/ |title=New Ship News – Sub launched, Carrier prepped, LCS delivered |first=Christopher |last=Cavas |publisher=Defense News |date=3 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131004220151/http://blogs.defensenews.com/intercepts/2013/10/8761/ |archive-date=4 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hlad|first=Jennifer|date=2017-08-22|title=Aboard the Navy's new sea base Lewis B. Puller, named for legendary Marine|url=https://www.navytimes.com/news/2017/08/21/aboard-the-lewis-b-puller/|access-date=2021-01-16|website=Navy Times|language=en-US|quote=The U.S. Navy recently commissioned a first-in-its-class Expeditionary Sea Base to be named after the most storied Marine in the Corps' history.}}</ref>

In March 2012, the USN requested a fourth ship in the FY14 budget of the National Defense Sealift Fund, and proposed that both T-ESB-3 and T-ESB-4 would be ESD-ESB variants.<ref name=gpo20120307 /> Congress rejected both requests on the grounds that ''Ponce'' could do the job and ESBs should in any case be funded out of the main Navy account.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpquery/?&sid=cp11284yHn&r_n=hr493.112&dbname=cp112&&sel=TOC_220561& |title=Committee Reports 112th Congress (2011-2012) House Report 112-493 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2013 |publisher=Library of Congress}}{{Dead link|date=August 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> {{As of|March 2013}} the [[Chief of Naval Operations]] was still planning to buy two ESD and two ESD-ESB variants despite the uncertainty caused by the [[sequester (2013)|sequester]],<ref name=aol20130312 /> in fact the late-2012 "Vision for the 2025 Surface Fleet" by the head of Naval Surface Forces envisages buying more MLP variants as a cheap alternative to traditional amphibious ships.<ref name=Cavas20130317 />

On 19 December 2014, U.S. Navy's [[Naval Sea Systems Command]] announced the construction of the second ESB variant, the then-unnamed T-ESB-4. This vessel would be built at the [[National Steel and Shipbuilding Company|NASSCO]] shipyard in San Diego, California, with a scheduled completion date of 2018. It was anticipated that T-ESB-4 would be assigned to the Pacific Ocean, and like the other ESD ships, will be operated by the [[Military Sealift Command]].<ref name="LaGrone12192014"/> In January 2016, it was announced that T-ESB-4 would be named USNS ''Hershel "Woody" Williams'', after a World War II Marine Corps infantryman who earned a [[Medal of Honor]] in the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=92664 |title=Secretary of the Navy Names Expeditionary Sea Base Ship |publisher=US Navy |date=14 January 2016 |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref> Construction of the ship began in October 2015.<ref name="esb5"/> It was christened on 21 October 2017 and delivered to Military Sealift Command on 22 February 2018 and entered service the same day.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=104463|title=Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams|publisher=United States Navy|id=NNS180223-22|date=23 February 2018|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref>

ESB-5, the fifth vessel in the class, and the third ESB variant, began construction in January 2017 at NASSCO.<ref name="esb5">{{cite web |url=http://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=24923:nassco-starts-construction-of-esb-5&Itemid=223 |title=NASSCO starts construction of ESB 5 |publisher=Marine Log |date=27 January 2017 |access-date=28 January 2017}}</ref>

==Ship re-designation==
Effective 4 September 2015, [[U.S. Secretary of the Navy]] [[Ray Mabus]] officially announced the creation of a new ship designation, "E" for expeditionary support.  [[Joint High Speed Vessel]] (JHSV) will be called Expeditionary Fast Transport, or EPF; the Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) will be called Expeditionary Transfer Dock, or ESD; and the Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) variant of the MLP will be called Expeditionary Mobile Base, or ESB. The new designation was pursuant to a memorandum sent to Secretary Mabus from [[Chief of Naval Operations]] Admiral [[Jonathan Greenert]] dated 31 August 2015.<ref name=USNI09042015>{{Cite web| title= Navy Renames Three Ship Classes, Creates 'Expeditionary' Designator in Naming System |url= http://news.usni.org/2015/09/04/navy-renames-three-ship-classes-creates-expeditionary-designator-in-naming-system |work=USNI News Blog |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |date= 4 September 2015 |access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref>

==Commissioning==
In January 2020, the Navy announced that it will commission all ESBs as warships, meaning they will carry the prefix USS, following the 2017 commissioning of ''Lewis B. Puller''. As a result, they will be crewed by a mix of Navy sailors and civilian mariners from Military Sealift Command. Navy spokesman Lieutenant Tim Pietrack told USNI News: "This re-designation provides combatant commanders greater operational flexibility to employ this platform in accordance with the laws of armed conflict. The Secretary of the Navy approved the commissioning of all ESBs following feedback from the employment of ESB-3 and expected employment of subsequent ships of the class. Prior to commissioning, the ESB class was limited to defensive actions during times governed by the laws of armed conflict. Post-commissioning, these ships have greater mission flexibility throughout the [range of military operations].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eckstein |first1=Megan |title=Navy Will Commission All Expeditionary Sea Bases as USS Warships |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/01/21/navy-will-commission-all-expeditionary-sea-bases-as-uss-warships |website=USNI News |publisher=United States Naval Institute |date=21 January 2020 |access-date=30 January 2020 |ref=USNI21012020}}</ref>

===Proposed ESD retirement===
In mid-2022, the Marine Corps announced its intent to retire the two ESD ships. Although they were cheap to buy compared to amphibious assault ships and demonstrated seabasing concepts, they are limited to connecting with sealift vessels at wave heights below three feet, and payload, fuel capacity and accommodation space were reduced to cut costs. This led to the decision to retire the ships to prioritize other vessels, such as the more successful ESBs.<ref name="defensenews20june22"/> The proposed retirement of the two ESDs was rejected by Congress in December 2022.<ref name="navytimes.com"/>

==See also==
* [[IRIS Makran]] - an Iranian forward base ship
* [[MV Ocean Trader]] - an American forward base ship used by special forces
* {{USS|Inchon|LPH-12|6}} - amphibious ship converted in 1996 to something like an ESB.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Montford Point class expeditionary transfer dock}}
{{Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base}}{{Active ship classes of the United States Navy}}
[[Category:Montford Point-class mobile landing platforms]]
[[Category:Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base]]
[[Category:Amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]