Navy takes delivery of LHA 7

Written by Marine Log Staff
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The Ingalls-built amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) on builder’s sea trials. Photo by Derek Fountain/HII

The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Tripoli (LHA 7), its newest America-class amphibious assault ship, from Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding Division on Feb. 28.

“On behalf of the entire team, I am grateful to take delivery of this versatile warfighting asset,” said Tom Rivers, amphibious warfare program manager for Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “The Navy and industry team has worked persistently to deliver this platform, ready to integrate the Marine Corps air combat element, including the Joint Strike Fighter, to our combatant commanders.”

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 is 844 feet in length, has a displacement of approximately 44,971 long tons, and is capable of operating at speeds of over 20 knots.

“Shipbuilding is a team sport, and LHA 7 is no exception,” said the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Gulf Coast, Capt. Nathan Schneider. “LHA 7 represents the culmination of significant work effort by shipbuilders here at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, suppliers around the nation, and government stakeholders both here in Pascagoula, as well as Naval Sea Systems Command and the Program Executive Office for Ships in Washington, D.C., along with the warfare centers around the country. SUPSHIP Gulf Coast is proud to be a part of the team that is delivering this great asset to the Navy and Marine Corps warfighters!”

With Tripoli delivered, the Navy will focus on moving crew aboard and preparing for commissioning and sailaway later this year.

HII’s Pascagoula shipyard is also currently in production on Bougainville (LHA 8), the guided missile destroyers Delbert D. Black (DDG 119), Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), and amphibious transport dock ships, Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) and Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29).

“The LHA team is proud to witness the delivery of the 15th large-deck amphibious ship built at Ingalls,” said Bryan Williams, LHA 7 program manager. “The completion of the Tripoli is a great complement to our longstanding legacy of building state-of-the-art warships.”

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