HII Launches first Flight II San Antonio-class amphibious ship Harrisburg LPD 30.

According to a PR published by HII on October 8, 2024, the firm recently launched the first San Antonio-class Flight II amphibious transport dock Harrisburg, LPD 30 at HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding facility.
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Launching of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Harrisburg. (Picture source: HII)

The launch process involved moving the Harrisburg from land to a floating dry dock using specialized translation railcars, followed by preparatory work for the ship's transition into the water.

The Harrisburg is the latest addition to the San Antonio-class, which serves the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by supporting amphibious operations and transporting equipment and troops.

This launch follows a recent contract announcement for the construction of three additional San Antonio-class ships (LPD 33-35) and an America-class amphibious assault ship (LHA 10). Ingalls currently has two Flight II vessels, including Harrisburg and Pittsburgh (LPD 31), under construction, while pre-construction work has begun for Philadelphia (LPD 32), the 16th ship in the class.

San Antonio-class

The San Antonio-class Flight II amphibious transport docks represent the U.S. Navy's effort to modernize its amphibious capabilities, replacing the older Whidbey Island and Harpers Ferry-class ships. These vessels are designed to support amphibious operations by transporting Marines, landing craft, and equipment.

The Flight II ships maintain the core design of the original San Antonio-class but incorporate modifications to reduce costs and improve efficiency. They feature a smaller well deck and enhanced command and control facilities, making them suitable for multiple mission profiles, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

These new ships will be equipped with advanced technology such as the AN/SPY-6 radar, enhancing their capability to detect and track threats in the maritime environment.

USS Harrisburg

The USS Harrisburg is a naval vessel with a full displacement of 25,000 tons. The ship measures 208.5 meters (684 feet) in length overall, with a waterline length of 201.4 meters (661 feet). Its beam spans 31.9 meters (105 feet) at the widest point and narrows to 29.5 meters (97 feet) along the waterline. The draft of the ship is 7 meters (23 feet).

The propulsion system comprises four Colt-Pielstick diesel engines driving two shafts, generating a total output of 40,000 horsepower (30 megawatts). This setup enables the USS Harrisburg to achieve a top speed of 22 knots (41 kilometers per hour).