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The Navy is gearing up for a significant deal worth about $11.5 billion to buy four new amphibious assault ships. This plan is set to kick off soon, based on a notice sent to Congress on Tuesday. In the August 14 notification, the Navy shared that it plans to buy three Flight II San Antonio-class assault ships and one Flight I America-class large-deck assault ship. This will happen from 2025 to 2027, thanks to approval from the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.
“These ships will be crucial for the U.S. Marine Corps. They will help with amphibious assaults, special operations, and other missions. These ships ensure fast deployment of Marines and support for humanitarian efforts,” said Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro. “Buying multiple ships shows our commitment to having 31 amphibious combat ships and demonstrates smart spending,” Del Toro added.
According to Navy plans shared with Congress, the LPD-33 will be bought in fiscal year 2025 for about $2.2 billion. The LPD-34 will follow in 2027, costing $2.3 billion, and then the LPD-35 in 2029 for $2.4 billion. Moreover, the large-deck ship America-class LHA-10 will cost around $4.6 billion. In total, the Navy expects that buying these ships over several years will save about $901 million, which is a 7.25 percent cost reduction for the four-ship deal. The ships will be built by HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
“Although specific delivery dates are managed by the Navy, we remain fully committed to supporting their mission and the Navy-Marine team. We are ready to meet the requirement of 31 amphibious ships,” the statement said. “Our team of shipbuilders is prepared and eager to serve.” Leaders in Congress, especially those from regions with shipbuilding industries, welcomed the news.
“Today is a big win for American shipbuilding and strengthens our Navy to counter threats, especially from China,” said Sen. Roger Wicker [R-Miss.], ranking member of the Senate Seapower Subcommittee. “Buying several warships at once is a smart strategy that supports our shipbuilding industry’s future.”
This notification ends the “strategic pause” on building amphibious warships that was previously decided by the Secretary of Defense. It also reverses the Navy’s earlier decision to stop the San Antonio line. “Approving this Amphibious Multiship Supply contract shows the Navy’s commitment to maintaining 31 amphibious combat ships. If approved, it will save taxpayers a lot of money,” the Navy stated.
The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships, also known as LPDs, are a crucial part of the U.S. Navy’s amphibious capabilities. As of the latest information available, there are 11 San Antonio-class ships in active service. The first of these, USS San Antonio [LPD-17], was commissioned in 2006. Subsequent ships in this class have been commissioned over the years, with the most recent addition being the USS Fort Lauderdale [LPD-28], which was commissioned in 2022.
The America-class amphibious assault ships, designated as LHAs, serve as the centerpiece of the U.S. Navy’s amphibious ready groups. There are currently two America-class ships in active service. The lead ship, USS America [LHA-6], was commissioned in 2014, followed by USS Tripoli [LHA-7], which was commissioned in 2020. These ships are designed to support a variety of missions, including power projection, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
Both the San Antonio-class and America-class ships represent significant advancements in amphibious warfare capabilities for the U.S. Navy. They are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and are designed to support a wide range of military operations, from amphibious assaults to humanitarian missions. The acquisition of these ships has been a strategic priority for the U.S. Navy, reflecting the importance of maintaining robust and versatile amphibious capabilities.
San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks are a class of warships used by the United States Navy. They are designed to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These ships have a length of approximately 684 feet and a beam of 105 feet. They are powered by four Colt-Pielstick diesel engines, which provide a total of 40,000 horsepower, enabling a top speed of over 22 knots.
America-class amphibious assault ships are a newer class of ships also used by the United States Navy. These ships are designed to support Marine Corps operations by providing a platform for helicopters and vertical take-off and landing aircraft, such as the F-35B Lightning II. The America-class ships are larger than the San Antonio-class, with a length of 844 feet and a beam of 106 feet. They are powered by two gas turbine engines, which provide a combined 70,000 horsepower, allowing for speeds over 20 knots.
The San Antonio-class ships utilize advanced control systems, including the Shipboard Wide Area Network [SWAN], which integrates various shipboard systems for improved command and control. They are equipped with the AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite for defense against anti-ship missiles and the AN/SPS-48E 3D air search radar for long-range detection of aerial threats.
America-class ships feature the Ship Self-Defense System [SSDS], which integrates radar, electronic warfare, and weapons systems to provide comprehensive situational awareness and defense capabilities. They are equipped with the AN/SPY-1D[V] radar, part of the Aegis Combat System, which provides advanced tracking and engagement capabilities against a wide range of threats.
In terms of armament, San Antonio-class ships are equipped with two 30mm Bushmaster II cannons for close-in defense, two Rolling Airframe Missile [RAM] launchers for anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense, and various .50 caliber machine guns. They also can carry and deploy up to 14 amphibious assault vehicles [AAVs] and four landing craft air cushion [LCAC] vehicles.
America-class ships are armed with two RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile [RAM] launchers and two RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile [ESSM] launchers for air defense. They also have two 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems [CIWS] for point defense against incoming threats. Additionally, these ships can carry a mix of helicopters, including the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and up to 20 F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, enhancing their versatility in amphibious operations.
BULGARIAN MILITARY