Ingalls Shipbuilding obtains LHA 9 modification
USS America. (Photo: USN/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Huynh)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has announced on 19 April that its shipbuilding division signed a contract modification from the USN for the America-class amphibious assault ship LHA 9.
The $107 million modification includes long-lead-time material and advance procurement activities.
Ingalls Shipbuilding president Kari Wilkinson stated that the amphibious warship production line is a ‘critical component’ of the US defence industrial base.
The shipyard delivered its first amphibious assault ship in 1966 and most recently delivered its second America-class amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli, in 2020.
The USN has received two America-class vessels to date with nine more on order, Shephard Defence Insight notes.
Amphibious warships are designed to support the USMC tenets of Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS) and Ship to Objective Maneuver (STOM).
LHAs can support VTOL, STOL and STOVL aircraft operations, as well as tiltrotor and rotary-wing aircraft.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
LHA Replacement Programme [USN]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
HMS Agamemnon: details of the dive and what the Astute-class signifies for the UK Royal Navy
As HMS Agamemnon moves closer towards joining the UK’s in-service submarine fleet, how does the sixth Astute-class fit into the Royal Navy’s defence strategy?
-
French Navy frigates to align with Hellenic Navy after Aster missile enhancement
The FDI frigates will have an enhanced warfare capability that matches the configuration of ships ordered by Greece.
-
Khabarovsk submarine launch reflects Russia’s nuclear modernisation progress
The nuclear-powered vessel, which could carry the Poseidon autonomous torpedo – dubbed the “doomsday missile” – marks another step forward in Russia’s maritime defence push.
-
US Coast Guard seeks national and foreign suppliers for light and medium icebreakers
Contracts for new light and medium cutters are expected to be awarded in mid-2026.
-
Anduril Australia shows first Ghost Shark for RAN at factory opening
The new underwater vehicle has been described as an “important deterrent” thanks to its ability to operate undetected for extended periods of time.
-
First Canadian Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker is “on track” for keel laying in late 2026
Canadian Coast Guard Ship Arpatuuq construction is in the block manufacturing phase. Once built, it will be the largest vessel in the Coast Guard’s inventory.