The construction of the future fourth amphibious assault ship of the class America of the Navy of the United States (US Navy) will begin in the next month of December. This was reported by the Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard; after communicating the award of the respective contract on October 27.
In this way, the United States Navy awarded the respective contract to Ingalls Shipbuilding for an estimated amount of USD 2,400 million. It stipulates the detail design and construction of the fourth America-class amphibious assault ship; provisionally namedLHA-9”. In turn, from the shipyard they have indicated that the contract has, if all the stipulated options are fulfilled, to reach a total figure of USD 3,200 million.
Following what was reported by Ingalls Shipbuilding, construction of the fourth America-class ship is expected to begin in December. In turn, the shipyard confirmed that the construction of the USS Bougainville (LHA-8), the third unit of the new class of amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy, continues.
Class America is the new generation of amphibious assault ships of the United States (referred to as landing helicopter dock). With a full load displacement of approximately 45,000 tons, she is intended to replace the already decommissioned Tarawa-class units and complete the more modern Wasp-class.
With a length of 260 meters, its crew consists of 1,200 troops. Her flight deck is designed to operate an expanded range of helicopters ranging from short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) fighters, such as the F-35B.
To date, the United States Navy has already incorporated two units into active service. More precisely, the USS America (LHA-6) since 2014, and the USS Tripoli (LHA-7) assigned in July 2020. In total, eleven amphibious assault ships of this class are expected to be built.
