The
U.S. Navy May 31st awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries a $2.38 billion
fixed-price-incentive contract for the detail design and construction
of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7). The ship
will be built at the company's Ingalls Shipbuilding division.
"Large-deck amphibious ship construction is an important component
of our business plan, and we are pleased to have reached agreement with
the Navy on this contract," said Ingalls Shipbuilding President
Irwin F. Edenzon. "We are also pleased to continue providing such
an important asset to the sailors and Marines who are being called on
to perform an ever-increasing list of tough missions. Ingalls shipbuilders
understand the importance of building these ships safely and efficiently
while all the while focusing on delivering a quality product. LHA 7
will be a great ship built by great shipbuilders." |
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LHA 7 and LHA 6 are the first two ships in the new
America class of amphibious assault ships. Tripoli will be 844 feet
long and 106 feet wide and will displace 44,971 long tons. The fuel-efficient
gas turbine propulsion system will drive the ships in excess of 20 knots.
She will accommodate 1,059 crew (65 officers) and 1,687 troops. She
will be capable of carrying a Marine Expeditionary Unit, including Marine
helicopters, MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and F-35B Joint Strike
Fighter (JSF) aircraft. Carrying a complement of F-35s allows her to
serve the role of a small aircraft carrier, as demonstrated by LHD-class
ship operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"We have an excellent build plan in place for LHA 7, and we will
continue to develop fresh ideas through the knowledge and experience
our shipbuilders have in large-deck construction," said Brian Cuccias,
Ingalls' vice president, large deck amphibious ships. "The multi-mission
capability of these ships has been proven in the fleet, and LHA 7 will
further the technological advancements set forth by previous ships."
Like the future USS America (LHA 6), LHA 7 has an increased aviation
capacity to include an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion
of the aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available
stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel
capacity. Similar to its predecessors, the ship will be able to operate
as the flagship for an Expeditionary Strike Group. Ingalls has built
five Tarawa (LHA 1) class ships as well as eight Wasp (LHD 1) class
ships. The first of the America class (LHA 6) is currently under construction
and is scheduled to launch in June.
Tripoli will be the third ship to bear the name which commemorates the
capture of Derna in 1805 by a small force of U.S. Marines and approximately
370 soldiers from 11 other nations. The battle, memorialized in the
Marines' Hymn with the line "to the shores of Tripoli" brought
about a successful conclusion to the combined operations of the First
Barbary War.
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