PASCAGOULA,
Mississippi – The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of the future John P. Murtha (LPD 26) during
a ceremony at the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard May 13.
The
delivery of John P. Murtha serves as the official transfer of the ship from the
shipbuilder to the Navy and is a major milestone in the ship's transition to
operational status.
“This
is the tenth San Antonio class ship we’ve delivered, and our Sailors and Marine
Corps will be receiving another highly capable platform in John P Murtha,” said
Capt. Darren Plath, LPD 17 Class program manager. “This ship has performed exceedingly well to
date which is a testament to our Navy and industry team and the production
efficiencies realized on this class.”
Following
crew move aboard and certification, the ship will transit to Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania for commissioning planned for fall 2016. Upon commissioning the ship will transit to
her homeport of San Diego.
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 699 troops—with a surge capacity to 800—and have the capability
to transport and debark air cushion or conventional landing craft and
amphibious vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff 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.
HII
is currently in production on the future USS Portland (LPD 27) and was awarded
a contract in December 2015 for long lead time material to support detail
design and construction of the future LPD 28.
As
one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is
responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers,
amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare
craft.