Through a contract modification from the United States Department of the Navy, Ingalls Shipbuilding will receive a $2.4 billion award for the construction of the LHA 9, a large-deck America-class amphibious assault ship.
Construction is slated to begin in December.
“Ingalls shipbuilders are ready to build the Navy’s newest LHA,” Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, said. “We understand how important this work is and consider it an honor to be given the opportunity to deliver this capability to the fleet. We value our partnership with the Navy and all of our critical supplier partners.”
Ingalls, a subsidiary of HII, is a long-standing partner of the U.S. Navy and Marines. It has, to date, provided 15 large decks to the U.S. fleet. In this case, it will handle the design and construction of the LHA 9, with contract options that could bring the ultimate value of its arrangement to $3.2 billion.
The America-class vessel can operate in high-density, multi-threat environments as part of expeditionary strikes, amphibious task forces, or amphibious ready groups. It has both aviation capabilities and surface assault means at its disposal. It can also host aircraft like the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey.
This funding award was lauded by U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Appropriations Committee, respectively.
“This is excellent news for both the fine shipbuilders at Ingalls and the future of our fleet and, most importantly, our national security,” Wicker said. “Amphibious assault ships provide a critical capability to our Navy and Marines, and they are a vital deterrent against China. We will need to keep this momentum going as we work to expand our Navy and keep our country safe in the decades ahead.”