US Navy USS Tripoli LHA 7 amphibious assault ship departs Huntington Ingalls for its San Diego homeport.

According to information released by the U.S. Navy, on July 24, 2020, the U.S. Navy’s newest amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), departed Huntington Ingalls Industries-Ingalls Shipbuilding Division’s shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., July 24, for its San Diego homeport.
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The future amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) transits the Gulf of Mexico during builder's trials, July 15, 2019. (Picture source U.S. Navy)

The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) during a ceremony in Pascagoula, Mississippi on July 15 2020.

The USS Tripoli (LHA-7) is the second America-class amphibious assault ship built for the United States Navy. the ship 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 America class is a ship class of landing helicopter assault (LHA) type amphibious assault ships 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.

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.

Along with its pioneering aviation element, LHA 7 incorporates gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution, and fuel-efficient electric auxiliary propulsion systems first installed on USS Makin Island (LHD 8). LHA 7 is 844 feet in length, has a displacement of approximately 44,000 long tons, and will be capable of operating at speeds of over 20 knots.

USS Tripoli is assigned to the Pacific Fleet battle force and will operate with Expeditionary Strike Group 3.