The amphibious transport dock ships USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and USS New York (LPD 21) in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia, June 9, 2011. (Edwin F. Bryan/U.S. Navy)
(Tribune News Service) — Ingalls Shipbuilding has announced it will receive another $1.3 billion from the U.S. Navy for the construction of LPD 32, the 16th amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio class.
The total worth of the contract for the Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard stands at $1.54 billion.
“Our shipbuilders are dedicated to delivering these ships to our Navy and Marine Corps partners, having done so for over two decades,” said Ingalls president Kari Wilkinson.
“This program is strong and has enabled the Department of Navy and Ingalls to establish a formidable capability based on a mature design, an ever-increasingly efficient production line, and a team of shipbuilders that keep the Navy’s critical industrial base network across the country strong.”
Last June, Ingalls was awarded a $240 million advance procurement contract for LPD 32, allowing for the purchase of long-lead-time materials and advance construction. Materials were procured from a supplier network of nearly 400 companies in 30 states, according to the shipyard.
The as-yet unnamed ship will be the third of the new Flight II LPDs. The Flight II ships are replacing the Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) class of amphibious landing ships.
Ingalls is the sole builder of the San Antonio class, with three currently under construction: Richard M. McCool (LPD 29); Harrisburg (LPD 30), the first Flight II LPD; and Pittsburgh (LPD 31), which began fabrication in September 2022.
Ingalls is Mississippi’s largest private employer and employs a large number of Alabama residents. The company is in the midst of hiring an additional 2,000 workers.
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