US Navy names first Flight II San Antonio-class LPD after Harrisburg

The US Navy has named the future San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship LPD 30 after Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania.

The move makes LPD 30 the second US Navy vessel to be named in honour of Harrisburg.

US Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said: “The people of central Pennsylvania have always played a critical role in forging the strength of our navy and fighting to defend our nation. The future USS Harrisburg will carry on this legacy to every part of the world.”

The transport dock ships of the San Antonio-class are designed to undertake missions such as amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare.

The ships can also be used as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups.

LPD 30 will be the first Flight II ship that will meet the requirements of the US Navy and Marine Corps.

The next-generation LPD Flight II is the replacement for the ageing Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) classes of dock landing ships.

The San Antonio-class ship can operate with platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey and amphibious assault vehicles.

To be constructed at Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the 684ft-long ship will be the 14th in the San Antonio-class.

USS Harrisburg will have a beam length of 105ft and be able to achieve speeds of more than 22k.

In March this year, Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division was awarded a contract worth $1.47bn for the detail design and construction of LPD 30.