Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) launched the USN’s new San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) on 28 March in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
A rail car system was used to move the ship to HII’s dry dock which was then flooded after it was moved away from the pier leaving it to float in the dock.
The vessel is 684ft long and 105ft wide and is designed to land and embark Marines, equipment and military supplies using an air cushion or conventional landing craft or amphibious assault vehicles. It is powered by a MAN Diesel & Turbo PC2.5 STC marine engine.
HII also suggests that LPD 28 may be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions alongside maritime security carried out by a Marine Air Ground Task Force.
The company is constructing a total of 26 San Antonio class ships including 13 Flight I and 13 Flight II models.
Delays in the construction of the Polar Security Cutter – the future substitute for the Polar Star – are likely to prolong the ageing icebreaker’s service time even more, putting the USCG in a risky position.
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
The presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf means additional naval and aerial capabilities, which provides the US with multiple attacking options.
The US Navy’s acceleration of its laser weapon development initiatives reflects a decisive shift towards ultimately having a “laser on every ship” across tomorrow’s surface fleet.
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.
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