The Navy’s 14th San Antonio-class amphibious ship Harrisburg (LPD 30) successfully completed its launch to the Pascagoula river. This is one of the most visible milestones in the ship completion process that involves significant coordination between crafts.
Click the video above to watch LPD 30 go from land to the water.
“The erect and butt weld processes for the ship had to be completed prior to launch,” said Josh Box, LPD program manager.
This milestone involves all crafts, customer and support organizations to make this happen.
“From Facilities and Manufacturing Services to Central Planning, It takes a tremendous effort from all of us to execute this task safely,” said Joey Ockman, construction manager. “The coordination doesn’t stop there. Once the ship is launched, we will continue to communicate with each other as we move towards more milestones.”
“The next significant milestone in the ship’s life will be the initial fuel loading, which will be completed after waterborne alignment and support the electric generator light-off, " said Shawn Wilkerson, LPD milestone project manager.
The launch of LPD 30 follows the recent announcement of the amphibious multi-ship procurement contract for the construction of three San Antonio-class (LPD 17) amphibious ships [LPD 33-35] and a contract modification for the next America-class (LHA 6) large-deck amphibious ship [LHA 10].
Ingalls currently has two Flight II LPDs under construction including Harrisburg (LPD 30) and Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Pre-construction activities are currently underway for the construction of Philadelphia (LPD 32), the 16th ship in the San Antonio-class.
To read the full release on Harrisburg (LPD 30), click here: Ingalls launches amphibious transport dock Harrisburg (LPD 30) (goodbarber.app)