C4I suite installed on Navy's newest Mobile Landing Platform ship

PANAMA CITY, Fla., June 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has installed a C4I suite aboard its newest Mobile Landing Platform ship, the USNS Lewis B. Puller.

The installation of the command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence suite on the Puller, an afloat forward staging base variant of the MLP, follows the ship's recently completed acceptance trials. It was performed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division

"We integrated expeditionary C4I on this variant to provide the U.S. Navy with a mobile sea base with added command-and-control capability," said Project Engineer Richard Childress.

The AFSB variant of the MLP is managed by the Strategic Sealift Program Office in Program Executive Office, Ships. The variant is based on the design of the Alaska-class oil tanker and includes a flight deck for maritime air operations.

The USNS Puller is slated to replace the USS Ponce (AFSB 1), the U.S. Navy's interim AFSB in the Arabian Gulf.

"The versatile MLP ships support military sea-basing and transport missions," said Brad Babinski, NSWC PCD tactical systems branch head. "Now, with robust C2 networks on the AFSB variant, the warfighter has effective decision making tools to support mine counter-measures and special operations force missions.

"We implemented many innovative solutions to successfully install C4I networks aboard (the) ship. With them, the U.S. Navy has just extended its reach across the world."