This paper details the integration of modular concepts in NASSCO's Expeditionary Transfer Dock (ESD) and Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) ships currently in production and operating in the US Navy fleet. The ESD was successfully adapted from a commercial tanker design; two ESD ships are currently operating in the Military Sealift Command. Later, NASSCO modified the design to the ESB, two ships of which are operating in the fleet today, with one more in production and additional follow-on ships in development. The keys to the flexibility of this platform are sufficient structural integrity and stability margins that accommodate large reconfigurable spaces, and an integrated electric drive power plant capable of directing electrical service anywhere in the ship. The start of this series of government ships was itself a modular approach and modular methods have enhanced each of these ships for specific missions.
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