US Navy USS Tripoli LHA 7 America-class amphibious assault ship arrives at its new homeport.

According to pictures released by the U.S. Navy on September 18, 2020, the U.S. Navy's newest America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrives at its new homeport at Naval Base San Diego. Tripoli is the second America-class amphibious assault ship to join the U.S. Navy fleet.
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The U.S. Navy's newest America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arrives at its new homeport at Naval Base San Diego on September 18, 2020. (Picture source U.S. Navy)

The USS Tripoli (LHA-7) is the second America-class amphibious assault ship built for the United States Navy. Tripoli was built by Ingalls Shipbuilding (Huntington Ingalls Industries) at the company's shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Fabrication of ship components began in July 2013, and the ship's keel was laid in a ceremony on 20 June 2014 in Pascagoula. The ship was commissioned in Pascagoula, Miss., July 15, 2020.

The LHA 7 incorporates key components to provide the fleet with a more aviation-centric platform. Tripoli’s design features 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. The ship is the first LHA replacement ship to depart the shipyard ready to integrate the entire future air combat element of the Marine Corps, to include the Joint Strike Fighter.

The LHA 7 incorporates the fuel-efficient gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution, and electric auxiliary systems first installed on USS Makin Island (LHD 8). LHA 7 will be 844 feet in length, will have a displacement of approximately 44,971 long tons, and is capable of operating at speeds of over 20 knots.

The USS Tripoli is an America class landing helicopter assault (LHA) type amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy (USN). The class is designed to put ashore a Marine Expeditionary Unit using helicopters and MV-22B Osprey V/STOL transport aircraft, supported by AV-8B Harrier II or F-35 Lightning II V/STOL aircraft and various attack helicopters.  The ships also included a floodable bay and voluminous parking area to ferry Marine armored and logistics vehicles as the M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to the beach.

The USS Tripoli is powered with a hybrid mechanical-electric propulsion system. The system consists of two LM2500+ gas turbines and two 5,000 hp. auxiliary propulsion motors. Each gas turbine is rated at 35,290shp and provides speeds in excess of 22 kt.

The armament of the USS Tripoli includes two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, two Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launchers, two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS mounts and seven twin .50 BMG machine guns