US Navy’s amphibious assault ship Tripoli concludes acceptance trials

The US Navy has completed acceptance trials for the America-class amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) in the Gulf of Mexico.

The future USS Tripoli was evaluated by the US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) during the three-day period.

The evaluation involved a full power run of the ship’s main propulsion system.

INSURV also tested Tripoli’s combat systems, communications, navigation, and aviation capabilities.

The second ship of the America-class returned to the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)-Ingalls Shipbuilding Division’s shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, after the trials.

Ingalls Shipbuilding president Brian Cuccias said: “The success of these trials is the culmination of the hard work and determination from our shipbuilders and leadership team.

“We have worked closely with our navy partners to ensure that LHA 7 will provide unparalleled sea basing capabilities for the navy’s amphibious ready groups and the Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Forces.”

LHA 7 provides survivability and increased aviation capacity. The ships in the class feature an enlarged hangar deck, enhanced aviation fuel capacity, and increased stowage.

Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships amphibious warfare programme manager Tom Rivers said: “The capability that our large deck ‘amphibs’ bring to the fight is tremendous.

“Their ability to embark Joint Strike Fighters and MV-22 Osprey enable this versatile platform to increase the lethality of our expeditionary warfighters.”

The Pascagoula shipyard is currently constructing Bougainville (LHA 8), the third America-class amphibious assault ship and the first Flight I ship.

Tripoli, the last Flight 0 ship lined up for construction, can also operate as the flagship for an expeditionary strike group.