HII begins fabrication of Flight I America class LHA USS Fallujah.

According to information published by the US DoD on December 20, 2022, Huntington Ingalls Industries - Ingalls Shipbuilding (HII-Ingalls) division started fabrication on the future USS Fallujah (LHA 9).
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Artist rendering of the Flight I America class amphibious assault ship USS Bougainville. (Picture source: HII)

The start of fabrication signifies the shipyard is ready for sustained production after a successful production readiness review. This milestone is marked by the first 100 tons of steel being cut for the ship and that the shipyard is ready to move forward with the construction of the ship.

The LHA Replacement Program, also known as USS America (LHA 6) class, is replacing the original five Tarawa-class LHAs, which have all been decommissioned.

The America-class is a multi-functional and versatile ship that is capable of operating in a high density, multi-threat environment. LHA 9 will be the second Flight I ship and will retain the aviation capability of the America-class design, while adding the surface assault capability of a well deck and a larger flight deck configured for F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey aircraft. It will also provide additional cargo stowage capacities and enable a broader, more flexible command and control capability.

With a displacement of about 45,000 long tons (46,000 t), is similar in size to the French Charles de Gaulle and the Indian Vikramaditya fixed-wing aircraft carriers.

Also, while more than 124 feet (38 m) shorter, America class ships are of comparable displacement to the former US Navy Midway-class aircraft carriers.

The amphibious assault ships are engineered with a (CODLOG) hybrid-electric propulsion system derived from the one used on Makin Island. The ships can use gas turbines for high speeds and diesel-electric engines when required.

The armament of the ship 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