PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division recently started fabrication of the U.S. Navy’s newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Harrisburg, the company said in an April 16 release. The start of fabrication signifies that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut.
“LPD 30 is the start of an exciting new era for the San Antonio class,” said Steve Sloan, Ingalls LPD program manager. “The start of fabrication for Harrisburg marks the beginning of the LPD Flight II program. Through learning structured around consistent production, we’ve been able to identify design and construction modifications to make future ships in the class more affordable while fulfilling Navy and Marine Corps requirements.”
Ingalls has delivered 11 San Antonio-class ships to the Navy and has three more under construction, including the Harrisburg. The ship will be the 14th in the San Antonio class and the first Flight II LPD. Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) launched in March and is scheduled to be delivered next year.
LPD 30 will be the second Navy vessel named after the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The first was a troopship acquired by the Navy during World War I that served in commission from May 29, 1918, to Sept. 25, 1919. That ship also served with the Navy in the Spanish-American War under another name. In addition to being the capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg is home to several Defense Department facilities, including the Naval Support Activity, Mechanicsburg.
