The future USS Pittsburgh (LPD 31) has reached 50% butt weld complete, marking a key moment in the ship’s progression.
The Big Picture: With this milestone achieved, the ship is now 50% erected and welded out and will continue to lay the groundwork for the next 50% of the ship to erect as it maintains steady progress toward launch
Why It Matters: The 50% but weld complete milestone signifies that half of the structural units that make up a completed ship have been joined
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As the structural units are joined, it releases significant work for the teams to start outfitting the ship, which includes installation of piping, machinery, ventilation, electrical and other crucial components
What They’re Saying:
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Hank Corcoran, LPD 31 Construction Manager: “The LPD 31 team continues to make milestones and commitments. Their hard work and dedication has enabled them to overcome the many challenges along the way to 50% BWC. I’m looking forward to facing the challenges ahead of us in future milestones. Thanks to all of the team members on LPD 31.”
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Doug Cunningham, Director, LPD Program: “It takes a collaborative effort from all of the crafts in order for us to efficiently and productively make our major event and milestone commitments. I’m really pleased with the way Hull and Machinery have come together to support our efforts to increase the amount of executable work that’s available to the Pipe department. We put together a plan targeting specific machinery, coolers, pumps, etc., and those two crafts have done a solid job of supporting our plan and the team.”
About the Ship: Named after the historic city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, LPD 31 is a Flight II amphibious ship
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Amphibious transport docks are a major part of the Navy’s 21st century expeditionary force and are deployed with the U.S. Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force for amphibious and expeditionary crisis response operations that range from deterrence and joint-force enablement to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief