News Release
Future USS San Diego (LPD 22) Launched
5/7/2010 - WASHINGTON -- The future USS San Diego
(LPD 22) was launched May 7 from Northrop Grumman
Shipbuilding’s Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss.
The launch of the 684-foot ship into the Gulf of Mexico
marks an important milestone in the ship’s construction
process.
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PASCAGOULA, Miss. (May 7, 2010) The amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) San Diego (LPD 22) is escorted by tugboats from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Ingalls shipyard shortly after being launched in Pascagoula, Miss. The sixth San Antonio-class ship will be delivered to the Navy in 2011 and will be homeported in San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding by Ron Elias/Released)
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“As the sixth ship of the class, this launch is a
considerable achievement in the program.” said Jay
Stefany, LPD 17 program manager for the Navy’s Program
Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “The ship was more than 75
percent complete prior to launch, more complete than any
other ship of the class at this point in construction.
We continue to work with the shipbuilders to identify
production improvements and a consistent build plan that
will lead to lower costs and predictable schedules. San
Diego is the first ship of the LPD 17 class that started
construction after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast,
and is testament to the spirit of the Northrop Grumman
workers as they and the shipyard continue their return
to normalcy.
The ship’s keel was laid May 23, 2007. Named for the
city of San Diego and her future homeport, the ship’s
next major milestone will be christening, scheduled for
June. The future USS San Diego is expected to deliver to
the Navy in 2011.
The principal mission of LPD 17 class amphibious
transport dock ships is to transport and deploy the
necessary combat and support elements of Marine
Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ship will carry
approximately 720 troops and have the capability of
transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or
conventional landing craft and Expeditionary Fighting
Vehicles (EFV), augmented by helicopters or vertical
take off and landing aircraft (MV 22). These ships will
support amphibious assault, special operations and
expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of
the 21st century.
As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition
organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing
the development and procurement of all major surface
combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and
support ships, and special warfare craft. Currently, the
majority of shipbuilding programs managed by PEO Ships
are benefiting from serial production efficiencies,
which are critical to delivering ships on cost and
schedule.