Sens. Wicker, Hyde-Smith tout amphibious warship funding contract awarded to Huntington Ingalls

Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) are espousing the benefits of the Navy awarding a contract to Huntington Ingalls that will result in an amphibious warship.

Officials said $107,194,022 has been earmarked to purchase long-lead-time materials in advance of the construction of LHA 9. The agreement serves as the fifth increment of long-lead-time material for the ship, slated to be built in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

“The talented shipbuilders at Ingalls build some of the world’s finest ships for our U.S. Navy fleet,” Wicker said. “This new award is a down payment on the construction of LHA 9, the third of a new generation of amphibious assault ships that will enhance our Sailors’ and Marines’ ability to project power around the globe.”

America-class amphibious assault ships are designed to deliver a Marine Expeditionary Unit using rotary lift and fixed-wing aircraft. The new ship would function similarly to a smaller aircraft carrier.

“Utilizing advanced appropriations funding to procure long-lead-time materials for the LHA 9 allows Ingalls shipbuilders to work undeterred in our effort to provide the Navy with the ships it needs,” Hyde-Smith, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said. “I’m pleased to see this contract issued now as we begin the FY2022 process of funding future shipbuilding needs.”