HII successfully launches 3rd America class LHA Bougainville.

According to a PR published by HII on October 6, 2023, the Navy's third America-class amphibious assault ship, Bougainville (LHA 8), was successfully launched into the Pascagoula River.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

US Navy's America class amphibious assault ship. (Picture source: HII)

Earlier on Sept. 9, the ship was moved from land to the company's floating dry dock with the aid of translation railcars. Once in the dry dock, final preparations for the launch were executed by the Ingalls team.

Notably, Bougainville is the inaugural ship in its class to feature a well deck. While retaining its aviation capabilities, the ship has been enhanced with the surface assault potential of a well deck and an expanded flight deck designed for F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey aircraft. Additionally, the ship boasts state-of-the-art medical facilities, complete with comprehensive operating suites and triage capabilities.

Landing Helicopter Assault

The vessel has a full load displacement of 44,971 long tons, stretching to a length of 844 feet and a beam of 106 feet. It's powered by two gas turbines that drive two shafts, producing a total of 70,000 bhp. Additionally, there are two auxiliary propulsion engines, each delivering 5,000 hp. This combination allows the ship to achieve speeds exceeding 20 knots.

The ship's crew consists of 65 officers and 994 enlisted personnel, and it can accommodate 1,687 Marines. In terms of its sensory and processing systems, the ship is equipped with the AN/SPS-49 2-D Air Search Radar, AN/SPS-48G 3-D Air Search Radar, AN/SPQ-9B Surface Search Radar, AN/USG-2 Cooperative Engagement Capability, and the SSDS MK2.

For electronic warfare and defense, the vessel uses the AN/SLQ-32B(V)2 and has two Mk53 Nulka decoy launchers. Its armament is robust, featuring two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, two Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launchers, two Phalanx CIWS, three Mk 38 Machine Gun Systems, and seven dual .50 caliber machine guns.