Amphibious Transport

NAVSEA Awards Contract for Fifth San Antonio-Class Ship

By David Caskey, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs Naval Sea Systems Command recently awarded Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Avondale Operations, New Orleans a $171,050,850 contract modification to a previous contract for long-lead time materials for the fifth San Antonio-class ship, LPD 21. Work will be performed in Avondale, La., and will be completed by February 2003. The Shipbuilding Construction (SCN) contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships will be used to transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked landing craft or amphibious vehicles augmented by helicopters in amphibious assault. These versatile ships will perform the mission of amphibious transports, amphibious cargo ships and the older dock landing ships by incorporating both a flight deck and a well deck that can be ballasted and deballasted to support landing craft. The San Antonio-class will replace four retiring ship classes. These ships will be the most survivable amphibious vessels that have ever put to sea. The design will minimize the radar signature by streamlining the topside and incorporating an enclosed mast that surrounds the ship's radars and communications antennas. These features will give these ships a very distinctive profile.

Eye on the Navy

Dec. 6, 2008, a landing craft air cushion approaches the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18). New Orleans is on a certification exercise as part of the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker) (Source: Navy News Service)

DoD Certifies LPD-17 Program

The LPD-17 Amphibious Transport Dock Ship program is one of six acquisition projects the Defense Department recently certified to Congress under the Nunn-McCurdy Law. The certification allows the programs to move forward, said Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Pete Aldridge, during a press roundtable May 2. The LPD-17, a program of Naval Sea Systems Command's Program Executive Office for Expeditionary Warfare

Eye on the Fleet: Assault Craft Unit

On Dec. 24, in the Persian Gulf, a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 prepares to embark aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17). San Antonio is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Goodwin.

USS Anchorage Maiden Voyage Panama Canal Transit

Amphibious ship 'USS Anchorage' (LPD 23) transits the Panama Canal while in 4th Fleet's area of operations for the first time. USS Anchorage departed the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Shipbuilding site in Avondale, La. Oct. 30, 2012 to sail to her future homeport of San Diego. 

 With a beam measuring 105 feet, Anchorage, a San Antonio-class LPD, is among the largest class of ships able to safely pass through the canal, whose locks measure 110 feet

Multiple U.S. Navy Ships Named

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announces the names of 7 new ships. “As secretary of the Navy, I have the great privilege of naming ships that will represent America with distinction as part of the fleet for many decades to come,” Mabus said.  “These ships were all named to recognize the hard working people from cities all around our country who have contributed in so many ways to our Navy and Marine Corps team.”

Construction of LPD 21 New York Progresses

The amphibious transport dock ship Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) under construction in Northrop Grumman Ship the shipyard. It is the fifth ship to be built in the San Antonio-class of amphibious ships. The bow stem is made of steel from the World Trade Centers and weighs 7.5 metric tons. New York is scheduled to be commissioned in the fall of 2008. U.S. photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Santos Huante

San Antonio Makes Inaugural Transit Through Suez Canal

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) made its first transit through the Suez Canal as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Sept. 23. 's first transit through the Suez Canal marked its entry into the 5th Fleet area of operations. relied on the skill and expertise of its Sailors to successfully maneuver the 's navigational challenges.

USS San Antonio Deck Puts New Assets to Work

While deployed in support of maritime security operations (MSO), the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio's (LPD 17) Deck Department is using new technology and assets that impacts daily shipboard operations. One of these features is 's complement of three -- rather than two -- ridged-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) at their disposal. Maritime security operations in the 5th area of responsibility place a demand on small boat operations

USS Denver - 40 Years of Service

The crew of USS Denver (LPD 9) celebrated the ship's 40th birthday Oct. 26 during the annual Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) off the coast of the Philippines. The entire crew gathered on the mess decks to celebrate the 40 years since Denver's commissioning as a U.S. Navy warship in 1968. Current USS Denver commanding officer, Capt. Kent D. Whalen offered some historical prospective. "There's a lot of history associated with the two previous hulls that carried the name