At 684 feet (208 meters) long, it can accommodate over 600 passengers, supporting troops, amphibious vehicles, and aircraft for secure transport between sea and land.
Equipped with electronic warfare systems, search and rescue radar, missiles, and machine guns, the Harrisburg is ready for expeditionary warfare, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions.
Powered by four diesel engines generating 41,600 horsepower, the vessel can reach speeds exceeding 22 knots (25 miles/41 kilometers per hour), ensuring swift deployment to critical areas.
Gen. Mahoney served as the senior Marine representative for the USS Harrisburg Christening ceremony.
The USS Harrisburg (LPD-30) is the first LPD Flight II christened, and the first christening of 2025. LPD Flight II will serve as the LSD replacement. pic.twitter.com/IgX3cIhxBL
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) January 17, 2025
The ship’s expanded logistics and medical capabilities, along with provisions for future deck modifications, further solidify its place as a versatile asset in the Navy’s arsenal.
Development and Construction
HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding is the sole provider of San Antonio-class ships, having delivered the first 13 vessels to the Navy.
The USS Harrisburg is part of a broader effort to modernize and expand the Navy’s capabilities, with the Pittsburgh (LPD 31) and Philadelphia (LPD 32) currently under construction.
In September 2024, the Navy awarded HII a $9.5 billion contract to build three additional San Antonio-class ships (LPDs 33-35) by 2035, further demonstrating the importance of this class in the Navy’s strategic planning.
A Critical Role in the Navy’s Future
The USS Harrisburg represents more than just a ship; it is a cornerstone of the Navy’s mission to maintain a persistent forward presence and respond effectively to global challenges. With its advanced design and capabilities, the Harrisburg will play a key role in expeditionary operations, ensuring the Navy and Marine Corps remain agile and prepared for any scenario.
As Maj. Gen. Christopher Mahoney aptly stated during the christening ceremony, the Harrisburg embodies the strength of America’s shipbuilders, the skill of its sailors, and the indomitable spirit of the Marines who will serve aboard her.
“When you take America’s greatest shipbuilders, and you add to them, the world’s best sailors and a few hundred angry Marines, you’ve got USS Harrisburg,” Mahoney said. “This is where America’s amphibious shipbuilding muscle gets flexed and is a start point to return us, as a Navy-Marine Corps team, to persistent presence forward to face what I believe to be a generational challenge and contest.”
As the Navy prepares to integrate this next-generation vessel into its fleet, the USS Harrisburg stands as a testament to innovation, collaboration, and the enduring commitment to national security. Whether defending the homeland or providing humanitarian aid, this ship is poised to make a significant impact for years to come.
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