USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 31, 2014 as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group following a deployment. US Navy Photo
NORFOLK, VA — Early design work on the Navy’s next generation amphibious warship — based on the San Antonio-class (LPD-17) hull — has begun ahead of a planned 2020 procurement, Navy officials said on Wednesday. Read More
A landing craft air cushion prepares to enter the well deck of landing transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) on Oct. 27, 2014. US Navy Photo
Over the past several months the Navy’s requirement to replace the Whidbey Island/Harpers Ferry-class LSD amphibious warships has been debated. The San Antonio-class LPD-17 hull form was a favorite of many. Gen. James Amos—former Commandant of the Marine Corps—referred to the LPD-17 hull as “the most successful hull we have” at a Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus breakfast in April. Read More
Amphibious warship John P. Murtha takes to the water on Oct. 30, 2014. HII Photo
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post said the late John P. Murtha was a senator from Pennsylvania. He was in fact a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s 12th district from 1974 until his death in 2010. USNI News regrets the error.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has launched the tenth San Antonio-class (LPD-17) amphibious warship on Thursday. Read More
USS Arlington (LPD-24) under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Huntington Ingalls Industries Photo
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has signed an internal memo recommending the service base its next generation amphibious warship (LX(R)) on the existing San Antonio-class (LPD-17) warship design, first reported by the Inside the Navy newsletter on Monday. Read More
USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) approaches fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO-197). US Navy Photo
The Navy is intent on squeezing every dollar it can out of its next generation amphibious warship program ahead of finalized set of requirements due next year, the Navy’s chief shipbuilder told a congressional panel on Friday. Read More
USS New York (LPD-21) in 2012. US Navy Photo
The Navy’s second look at the requirements and design of its next amphibious warship is walking the line between capability and affordability, the head of Naval Sea Systems Command told reporters Thursday at NAVSEA’s temporary headquarters. Read More
The following is the May 12, 2014 Congressional Research Service report,
Navy LX(R) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
Naval Sea Systems Command’s Electric Ships Office released its May roadmap to develop improved electrical systems in the U.S. Navy’s current fleet and future ship designs. The document outlines the types of technologies available today and explores future concepts powering not only onboard systems but the drive trains of ships themselves. Read More
