Ingalls Shipbuilding has been awarded a $1.43 billion contract for design and construction of LPD 29, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship.
The as-yet unnamed LPD 29 will be the 13th in its class. Thus far, Ingalls has delivered 11 LPD’s, with a 12th — the Fort Lauderdale — currently under construction and expected to launch in the first quarter of 2020. The Portland (LPD 27) is set for commissioning on April 21 in Portland, Ore.
“This contract is further recognition of the confidence the Navy/Marine Corps team has in the great work our shipbuilders are doing in the LPD program,” said Ingalls president Brian Cuccias. “This efficient work is proven through our hot production line keeping the work going in the shipyard and through our nationwide network of suppliers.
“We are excited to build this additional ship and in providing our sailors and Marines with the best amphibious ships in the world.”
The 684-foot-long, 105-foot-wide San Antonio-class ships are used to embark and land Marines, and bring equipment and supplies ashore via air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey.
The ships support a Marine Air Ground Task Force across the spectrum of operations, conducting amphibious and expeditionary missions of sea control and power projection to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the first half of the 21st century.
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