MAY 16, 2012: Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) reports that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $133.7 million, cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract modification from the U.S. Navy to provide long lead time materials for LPD 27, the 11th amphibious transport dock of the San Antonio (LPD 17) class.

The funds awarded to Ingalls will be used to purchase long lead time materials and major equipment in support of the new ship, including main engines, diesel generators, electrical switchboards, deck equipment and fire-extinguishing systems.

The work will be performed at the company's Pascagoula facility. This is the fifth advance procurement contract for LPD 27. The first contract was awarded in October 2010.

"There's plenty of energy throughout the LPD program, and this award bridges us to be ready to build our company's eleventh ship," said Doug Lounsberry, Ingalls' vice president and program manager, LPD Program. "This award allows us to focus on an efficient, streamlined plan so we can keep our schedule commitments to the U.S. Navy. Our shipbuilders are looking forward to building another world-class LPD."

The 11 ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy's ability to project power ashore. Collectively, they functionally replace more than 41 ships (the LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113 and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships), providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable and built to operate with 21st century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey.

The LPD 17-class ships are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ships can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing crafts, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22. These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century.

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