The Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula has received a $1.3 billion grant from the U.S. Navy for the procurement of the detail design and construction of amphibious transport dock LPD 32.
The ship will be the 16th in the San Antonio class and the third Flight II LPD.
“Our shipbuilders are dedicated to delivering these ships to our Navy and Marine Corps partners, having done so for over two decades,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “This program is strong and has enabled the Department of Navy and Ingalls to establish a formidable capability based on a mature design, an ever-increasingly efficient production line, and a team of shipbuilders that keep the Navy’s critical industrial base network across the country strong.”
Less than one year ago, Ingalls was awarded a $240 million advance procurement contract for LPD 32 from the Navy to provide long-lead-time material and advance construction activities.
The funds from the contract allowed Ingalls to begin purchasing long-lead-time material and major equipment across a supplier network of nearly 400 companies in 30 states.
At this time, Ingalls is the sole builder of the entire San Antonio class of ships and currently has three LPDs under construction.
LPD Flight II is the next generation amphibious ship to replace Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) classes of dock landing ships.
Amphibious transport docks are a major part of the Navy’s 21st-century expeditionary force deployed with a U.S. Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force for amphibious and expeditionary crisis response operations that range from deterrence and joint-force enablement to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
