HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division has authenticated the keel for the future USS Philadelphia (LPD 32), a Flight II San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship.
The ceremony was attended by ship sponsor Maureen Paparo, a Philadelphia native, her spouse, admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, HII president and chief executive Chris Kastner, Ingalls Shipbuilding president Brian Blanchette, and US Navy officials.
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Maureen Paparo said: “I am in awe of what the incredible workforce here does every day. Your skill, your diligence and your dedication will ensure the safety of over 700 sailors and Marines who will serve aboard this great ship.”
The future USS Philadelphia is one of three Flight II San Antonio-class ships now under construction at Ingalls. Fabrication for the vessel commenced in January last year.
The other two ships under this class are Harrisburg (LPD 30) and Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Ingalls has also received contracts to build LPD 33, LPD 34 and LPD 35.
Flight II ships are intended to replace the Whidbey Island-class (LSD 41) and Harpers Ferry-class (LSD 49) dock landing ships.
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By GlobalDataThe vessels support Marine and Navy operations including humanitarian aid, disaster relief, maritime security and military missions.
The San Antonio-class forms part of the Navy’s amphibious assault force. The ships are 684 feet (ft) long and 105ft wide.
They carry Marines, equipment and supplies ashore using air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles, supported by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft including the MV-22 Osprey.
An LPD amphibious transport dock is equipped with two 30 mm Bushmaster II cannons for surface defence, two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers for air defence, four CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, two LCACs, one LCU and 14 AAVs.
The ships also use four diesel engines and can reach speeds of more than 22 knots.
