US Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship

The US Navy will christen its newest amphibious transport dock ship, Anchorage, on 14 May 2011 at Huntington Ingalls Industries – Avondale Shipyard, Louisiana, US.

Anchorage, designated LPD 23, is the seventh San Antonio Class ship being developed as an element of future expeditionary strike groups.

The 684ft-long, 24,900t ship is powered by four turbo-charged diesel engines to cruise at a speed of 22kt and can accommodate a landing force of 800 marines.

The ship will provide improved warfighting capabilities, including an advanced command-and-control suite, increased vehicle lift-capability, cargo-carrying capacity and advanced ship-survivability features.

The ship will also support US Marine Corps ship-to-shore mobility consisting of a landing craft air cushion vehicle, amphibious assault vehicles and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.