US Navy progresses construction of San Antonio LPD
The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio, pictured above, first entered service in 2005. (Photo: US Navy)
Huntington Ingalls Industries has received a $240 million, cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract from the US Navy to provide advance construction activities for amphibious transport dock LPD 32.
LPD 32 will be the third Flight II amphibious ship in the San Antonio class. LPD Flight II is the next generation vessel to replace Whidbey Island and Harpers Ferry classes of dock landing ships.
Ingalls has delivered 12 San Antonio-class ships to the USN and has two more under construction including Richard M. McCool Jr (LPD 29) and Harrisburg (LPD 30). Fabrication of Pittsburgh (LPD 31), the 15th San Antonio class, will begin later this year.
The ship will be the 16th in the San Antonio-class of LPDs constructed at Ingalls Shipbuilding.
Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson explained the funds will be used ‘to purchase long lead time material and major equipment across supplier network of nearly 400 companies in 30 states.'
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the ships displace 25,000t and measure 208m in length, have a beam of 32m and a draft of 7m. The ships have a crew of 386 and have space for a landing force of up to 700 troops.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.