Lewis B. Puller-class (ESB)

The USS Lewis B. Puller was integrated into naval procurement in 2012. Originally conceived as a Mobile Landing Platform, the vessel was reconfigured during its development phase to serve as an Expeditionary Mobile Base. The keel was laid in late 2013, following the delivery of earlier Expeditionary Transfer Dock variants. It represents a shift in naval architecture toward utilizing modified civilian tanker designs to provide cost-effective auxiliary support for maritime prepositioning. The ship was officially commissioned into service in August 2017, transitioning from a purely auxiliary designation to a commissioned warship to allow for broader operational parameters under the laws of armed conflict.

The vessel utilizes a modified civilian oil tanker hull, designed as a semi-submersible, modular platform. Its primary structural feature is a sprawling flight deck elevated above a mission deck, providing aviation facilities including a hangar and dedicated spots for heavy-lift transport helicopters. Unlike earlier variants in its class, the Lewis B. Puller does not utilize a submersible mission deck for landing craft; instead, it employs a high-capacity crane to launch and recover watercraft, towed arrays, and unmanned systems. The platform includes integrated ordnance storage, underway replenishment systems, and an accommodation barge to house large mission-specific detachments. The propulsion system relies on a diesel-electric plant paired with an azimuth bow thruster to facilitate station-keeping during logistics transfers.

Deployed primarily to the Middle East and the Pacific Ocean, the ship serves as a floating staging base for low-intensity maritime operations. Its functional profile includes supporting special operations forces, mine countermeasures, and counter-piracy missions. By acting as a sea-based transfer point for troops and equipment, the vessel reduces dependency on foreign ports and allows high-value surface combatants to be redirected toward more demanding combat roles. It is operated by a hybrid crew of military personnel and civilian mariners, a configuration intended to maximize mission flexibility. Following specialized upgrades, the platform also supports the operation of tilt-rotor aircraft, extending its utility as a forward-deployed intelligence and logistics hub.