With the goal of enhancing its deterrent capabilities, the United States Navy (US Navy) is preparing to award a new contract for the construction of four new amphibious assault ships, with an estimated value of $11.5 billion, according to a notification from naval authorities to the U.S. Congress.
Dated August 14, the notification indicates that the US Navy will acquire three San Antonio-class LPD Batch II amphibious ships and one America-class LHD to be constructed between fiscal years 2025 and 2027 as part of a “multi-ship procurement” project, approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, according to USNI News.
According to statements by US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, “The ships acquired as part of this contract will support amphibious assault missions and special operations for the U.S. Marines, transporting them to the theater of operations and supporting humanitarian and contingency missions.” He also added that “This award demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to maintaining 31 amphibious warships and prudent use of taxpayer funds.”
Based on the information provided to Congress by the Navy, the LPD-33 would be acquired in fiscal year 2025 for an estimated value of $2.2 billion, while the LPD-34 in fiscal year 2027 for $2.3 billion, and the LPD-35 in fiscal year 2029 for $2.4 billion. The agreement would also include the purchase of an America-class LHD named Helmand Province (LHA-10) for $4.6 billion, to be built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
In terms of amphibious ships, Ingalls Shipbuilding is contracted for the San Antonio-class ships Harrisburg (LPD-30), Pittsburgh (LPD-31), and Philadelphia (LPD-32). The shipyard is also constructing the amphibious ships Bougainville (LHA-8) and Fallujah (LHA-9).
About the America-class LHD and San Antonio-class LPD
The America-class is the new generation of U.S. amphibious assault ships of the LHD type (Landing Helicopter Dock). With a full-load displacement of approximately 45,000 tons, it is intended to replace the already decommissioned Tarawa-class units and complement the more modern Wasp-class. It has a length of 260 meters, and its crew consists of 1,200 personnel. It features a flight deck designed to operate a wide range of helicopters as well as short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft, such as the F-35B.
To date, the U.S. Navy has already commissioned two units of this class: the USS America (LHA-6) since 2014, and the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) commissioned in July 2020. A total of eleven amphibious assault ships of this class are expected to be built.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio-class LPDs (Landing Platform Dock) are the new generation of amphibious transport ships built for the US Navy. They have a full-load displacement of 25,300 tons and are the replacement for the previous Austin-class LPDs, as well as for the now-retired Newport and Charleston-class transports.
One of their main features is their flight deck, which is capable of operating MV-22 Osprey aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps. Their transport capabilities include up to 14 amphibious assault vehicles or two LCAC hovercraft. In terms of force projection, they can carry up to 700 personnel.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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