US Navy accepts USNS Miguel Keith
The US Navy accepted delivery of USNS Miguel Keith on 15 November for Military Sealift Command.
The navy's third Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) vessel, Miguel Keith was constructed by General Dynamics NASSCO and completed acceptance trials in October.
ESBs are flexible, modular platforms designed to support a variety of maritime-based missions including special operations force and airborne mine countermeasures support operations, in addition to humanitarian support and sustainment of traditional military missions.
The vessels include a four-spot flight deck and hangar and a versatile mission deck and are designed around four core capabilities: aviation facilities, berthing, equipment staging support and command and control assets.
Capt Scot Searles, Strategic Sealift and Theater Sealift program manager, Program Executive Office Ships, said: ‘The navy and industry team overcame significant setbacks in the construction of this ship, and I'm extremely proud of the urgency and determination displayed on everyone's part to deliver a high-quality ship that will support our operational requirements in the 7th Fleet area of operations.'
General Dynamics NASSCO is under contract for detail design and construction of ESBs 6 and 7, with an option for ESB 8.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract
The multi-award contract will support the scheduled repair and maintenance of nuclear-powered attack submarines at the US Navy’s primary public shipyards.
-
DSEI 2025: Skana’s new autonomous maritime platforms signal company’s shift towards scalable assets
The Israeli defence technology company has taken the wraps off two autonomous vessels ahead of DSEI as it sets its sights on scalability and cost reduction.
-
Which countries could the US rely on to progress with its shipbuilding programmes?
The US Navy and US Coast Guard (USCG) are in critical need of support to build icebreakers, surface vessels and submarines.
-
Royal New Zealand Navy outlines modernisation goals
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) has a crunch time coming up as it looks to refresh its fleet before 2040, and prepares to begin operating Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters, although it is at the back of a long ordering queue. A key part of any solution is looking at what neighbouring Australia is buying.
-
US Coast Guard awards contracts for the construction of up to 150 aids to navigation vessels
Agreements with Inventech Marine Solutions and North River Boats cover the acquisition of trailerable aids to navigation boats and cutter boats - aids to navigation – small.