General Dynamics NASSCO has begun construction of the US Navy’s sixth Expeditionary Sea Base vessel, the USNS Hector Cafferata Jr. (ESB 8), in San Diego, California.
ESB ships have features similar to Expeditionary Transfer Docks and are used for various missions supporting operational phases.
The 239.3-meter (785-feet) vessels serve as mobile installations and are considered vital access infrastructure for force and supply deployments to maintain flexible sustainment and equipment distribution at sea.
“The ESB platform has demonstrated they have not only the flexibility, but the capability the fleet needs while protecting our warfighting advantage,” US Navy Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager Tim Roberts stated.
“The ship will support a variety of mission sets while focusing on its core capabilities of aviation facilities, berthing, special operations, equipment staging support, and command and control operations.”
The USNS Hector Cafferata Jr.
US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro revealed the name of ESB 8 in July.
It was named after a US Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his contributions at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.
The ESB 8 is the first ship to bear his name.
“For the next 40 years and hopefully beyond, there will be 60,000 tons of American fighting power sailing the seas under the name Cafferata,” US Marine Corps Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said during the ship’s naming ceremony.
“The Cafferata name joins our legends and is now forever ingrained in the blood, sweat, and history of your United States Marine Corps.”
The option to build the Cafferata was included in the 2019 construction award for the ESB 6 and 7.
General Dynamics was awarded $1.63 billion for the development of all three ships.