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HII Starts Construction of 16th San Antonio Amphibious Transport Dock

HII has begun construction of the 16th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock vessel in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

The ceremony involved cutting the first 100 tons (90,719 kilograms) of steel that will be part of the system’s hull.

The platform, named the USS Philadelphia (LPD 32), is the third San Antonio to be built in the program’s Flight II configuration, which incorporates more cost-effective parts and about 200 upgrades to the overall design compared to older ships.

Upon completion, the Philadelphia will deploy alongside the US Navy and Marine Corps’ joint air-ground task force assets for amphibious, expeditionary, crisis response, and humanitarian missions.

“From the earliest planning stages to the first cut of steel, every step of construction so far has been focused on building a capable ship for our Navy and Marine Corps partners,” HII Ingalls Shipbuilding Amphibious Ship Program Manager Stephen Janowski stated.

“Our team is committed to continuous improvement and seeing Philadelphia built with the quality craftsmanship needed to support our nation well into the future.”

Expanding Fleet

Work for the Philadelphia is being facilitated alongside the construction of Flight II vessels USS Harrisburg (LPD 30) and USS Pittsburgh (LPD 31).

Between 2025 and 2027, HII is expected to begin fabrication of three more Flight II hulls.

The company is the sole manufacturer of the US Navy’s entire San Antonio-class fleet, with 13 already delivered for the military.

The amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) transits the Atlantic Ocean while deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility Sept. 6, 2008. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released)
The amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17). Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/US Navy

The San Antonio Vessel

The US Navy’s San Antonio transport dock is armed with 30-millimeter close-in guns, heavy machine guns, multi-domain missiles, electronic warfare systems, and a search and rescue radar.

The 684-foot (208-meter) ship can carry up to 600 passengers, up to four V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, land craft units, and several amphibious combat vehicles.

It is powered by four Colt-Pielstick turbocharged diesel engines with a combined 41,600 horsepower for a top speed of 22 knots (25 miles/41 kilometers per hour).

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