USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) / (Image source: HII)
Down in the shipyards of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), there’s a new behemoth riding the waves – the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28), fresh from acing its acceptance trials.
This piece dives deep into the nitty-gritty of the trials, showcasing the rigorous evaluation process and the vessel’s capabilities.
Moreover, it explores the significance of the SanAntonio-class program in bolstering the US Navy’s expeditionary and humanitarian missions.
Trial by Sea
Virginia’s waters bore witness to the USS FortLauderdale’s trial by sea, a rigorous dance led by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey.
This wasn’t your average sea shanty; it was a symphony of checks and balances, from wrangling the anchor to ballasting finesse to the pulse of the detection systems and the ship’s might at full throttle.
During future USS Fort Lauderdale’s transit from HII in Pascagoula, MS to Fort Lauderdale, FL where the ship is to be commissioned, they worked with Assault Craft Unit 4 as LCAC 103 and 104 entered the well deck. Read the full story here!#USNavy#NAVSEAhttps://t.co/YY7rfunTgVpic.twitter.com/o9XWVEgala
Down in the shipyards of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), there’s a new behemoth riding the waves – the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28), fresh from acing its acceptance trials.
This piece dives deep into the nitty-gritty of the trials, showcasing the rigorous evaluation process and the vessel’s capabilities.
Moreover, it explores the significance of the SanAntonio-class program in bolstering the US Navy’s expeditionary and humanitarian missions.
Trial by Sea
Virginia’s waters bore witness to the USS FortLauderdale’s trial by sea, a rigorous dance led by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey.
This wasn’t your average sea shanty; it was a symphony of checks and balances, from wrangling the anchor to ballasting finesse to the pulse of the detection systems and the ship’s might at full throttle.
During future USS Fort Lauderdale’s transit from HII in Pascagoula, MS to Fort Lauderdale, FL where the ship is to be commissioned, they worked with Assault Craft Unit 4 as LCAC 103 and 104 entered the well deck. Read the full story here!#USNavy#NAVSEAhttps://t.co/YY7rfunTgVpic.twitter.com/o9XWVEgala
They skillfully navigated the vessel at top speed, keeping it on a razor’s edge with pinpoint steering, proving the ship’s mettle and mastery over the high seas.
Emerging victorious from this gauntlet, the vessel didn’t just float; it soared, primed for duty.
Gearing up for the Fleet
With the trials in its wake, the USSFortLauderdale is gearing up for its grand entry into the Navy’s fleet, eyed for the first quarter of 2024.
Kari Wilkinson, at the helm of Ingalls Shipbuilding, credited the synergy of Navy brass and industry stalwarts with turning visions of maritime mastery into steel-clad reality.
“Fort Lauderdale is a terrific example of what our collective team is accomplishing together,” said Wilkinson in a statement.
“LPD 28 demonstrates what Navy-industry collaboration can do to evolve a ship design to new requirements while maintaining the talented team that is demonstrating such efficiency and predictability in delivering on commitments. I couldn’t be more proud of their success.”
San Antonio-class: Sea Titans
The USSFortLauderdale is the latest titan in the SanAntonio-class lineage, a fleet cornerstone in the Department of Defense’s playbook for amphibious assault in 21st-century warfare.
These vessels are the Navy’s muscle at sea, flexing their prowess in expeditionary and humanitarian missions, with a nod to Florida’s longstanding naval camaraderie.
These SanAntonio-class giants, with the USS FortLauderdale standing tall among them, are more than just floating metal.
The U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Amphibious Transport Dock ship USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) in a ceremony marking a series of events celebrating the ship and its namesake city. LPDs serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations.https://t.co/VSohtE2jkhpic.twitter.com/P9XygImnSR
Spanning 684 feet (208 meters), cradling up to 600 souls, and decked with an arsenal that can deploy from sea to shore, it is a floating fortress.
The Osprey’s wings and the amphibious vehicles’ treads find a home here, ready to leap into action.
Engines and Arsenal
Four turbocharged hearts beat within, propelling these beasts beyond 22 knots (41 kilometers per hour).
But it’s not just about speed; it’s about safeguarding sea dominion.
The SanAntonio-class doesn’t tread lightly, armed to the teeth with Bushmaster guns, missile launchers, and more – a testament to their dual creed of transport and defense.
HII has already handed over 11 SanAntonio-class ships to the US Navy, with three more in the works: FortLauderdale (LPD 28), Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29), and Harrisburg (LPD 30).
Moreover, construction of the 15th ship, Pittsburgh (LPD 31), is slated to kick off in the spring.
FortLauderdale pays homage to the city’s deep-rooted connection with the US Navy, stretching back to the 1830s. This bond includes a pivotal naval training hub during World War II, cementing its place in naval history.
The USS FortLauderdale’s triumph in the acceptance trials is a feather in Ingalls Shipbuilding’s cap and a stride forward for the SanAntonio-class giants.
As LPD-28 edges closer to joining the Navy’s ranks, it stands as a beacon of naval engineering prowess and a promise of continued maritime dominance.
This isn’t just a ship; it’s a statement – of power, purpose, and the unyielding spirit of those who forge and wield it.
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