Huntington Ingalls Industries has delivered USS Tripoli (LHA 7) to U.S. Navy

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has delivered amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) to the US Navy.

The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Tripoli (LHA-7), an America-class amphibious assault ship, from shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding [HII] on Feb. 28.

Tripoli completed builder’s trials on July 19 after spending four days underway in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a Navy release. Following Tripoli’s builder’s trials, the Navy suggested work on the big-deck amphibious warship was progressing without significant issues.

LHA 7 incorporates the fuel-efficient gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution, and electric auxiliary systems first installed on USS Makin Island (LHD 8). LHA 7 will be 844 feet in length, will have a displacement of approximately 44,971 long tons, and can operate at speeds of over 20 knots.

“The Navy and industry team did a commendable job this week,” Tom Rivers, amphibious warfare program manager for Program Executive Office for Ships, said in a statement. “America-class ships bring tremendous capability to our sailors and Marines, and Tripoli will be the first large-deck amphib to reach the fleet fully ready to integrate the Marine Corps air combat element to include Joint Strike Fighters.”

Amphibious assault ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the amphibious ready group or expeditionary strike group. These ships transport elements of the Marine expeditionary unit or Marine expeditionary brigade with a combination of aircraft and landing craft. Optimized for aviation capability, Tripoli will enhance Marine Corps aviation with an enlarged hangar deck, greater maintenance capability, and JP-5 fuel capacity.

Tripoli will be commissioned later this year before sailing to its homeport of San Diego, California, the company said in a statement Friday.

Ingalls is currently the sole builder of large-deck amphibious ships for the Navy. America-class ships are designed to enhance Marine Corps aviation, capable of supporting the tilt-rotor MV-22 and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. When Tripoli enters the fleet, it will be the flagship of an Amphibious Ready Group, strategically positioning Marine Expeditionary Units ashore across a full spectrum of missions, including humanitarian, disaster relief, maritime security, antipiracy and other operations while providing air support for ground forces.

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