Bourgainville LHA launched but future of US Navy amphibious ship procurement remains uncertain
The US Navy is mandated to sustain its major amphibious ship capability at a force of 31 ships under the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. (Photo: HII).
The third America-class Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) ship, Bourgainville (LHA 08), has been launched by Huntington Industries Ingalls (HII) shipyard but this progress comes against the backdrop of a dispute about amphibious ships within Congress and the US defence establishment.
Procurement of both the America-class LHAs and the San Antonio-class (LPD-17) Flight II Landing Platform Dock (LPD) amphibious ships are in question. There are ongoing concerns about viability of the existing LHA and LPD projects in supplying the right ships for future US Navy operations.
HII announced on 6 October that it had launched Bourgainville in a ceremony at its shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in September and it is expected that the ship will be commissioned between 2024 and 2025. The ship is the first Flight I LHA in the class, the first two ships being designated Flight 0.
Meanwhile,
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps]()
Anduril awarded $642 million counter-drone contract with US Marine Corps
The contract will see counter-small uncrewed aerial systems (CsUAS) installed at bases, with the initial contract covering site survey and engineering services as well as some system procurement. Work is expected to be completed over the next ten years.
-
![Indra proposes “Internet of Underwater Things” as possible next step in naval warfare]()
Indra proposes “Internet of Underwater Things” as possible next step in naval warfare
A new concept of underwater warfare could be needed to take naval defence to its next evolution.
-
![Why USNORTHCOM would struggle to defeat China in the Arctic]()
Why USNORTHCOM would struggle to defeat China in the Arctic
Not having enough naval and C4ISR capabilities to patrol and monitor the region would the US at risk in a conflict with China in the Arctic region.
