The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract
valued at $109.6 million to Northrop Grumman Corporation for
advanced planning, long-lead material and systems engineering on the LHA(R)
amphibious assault ship program. The total contract value, if all options are exercised, will be $264 million.
This is the first LHA(R) construction-
related contract awarded and the funds will go toward purchasing major
equipment and material, as well as advanced planning and systems engineering.
The LHA(R) will replace the LHA 1 class of amphibious assault ships, and
will have the flexibility to operate in the traditional role as the flagship
for an Expeditionary Strike Group as well as potentially playing a key role in
the maritime pre-positioning force future (MPF(F)). As the Navy's Seabasing
plan matures in the next few years, the flexibility to operate with the
Expeditionary Strike Group and as part of the MPF(F) will make the LHA(R) a
vital cog in the Sea Base.