Ingalls shipbuilders reached a key milestone on Bougainville (LHA 8) with the successful Main Engine Light-Off (MELO) in Main Machinery Room #1, bringing the ship’s propulsion system to life for the first time.
BUILT ON PRECISION
While MELO may look like simply starting the engines, it represents years of work installing, aligning and testing some of the ship’s most critical propulsion equipment.
“Main Engine Light‑Off is one of the most visible validations of the team’s precision and discipline,” said Kelli Manning, project manager, LHA 8 Program Office. “Seeing LHA 8’s propulsion system come alive marks a major step toward delivery and reflects the strong partnership between Ingalls, the Navy and our engineering teams.”
This first light-off is one of the most important steps in the propulsion testing sequence. A successful MELO reduces risk, opens the door for significant follow-on work, and confirms that earlier installation and testing were done right.
“MELO is where all the hard work in installation and alignment pays off,” said Nathaniel Platt, test engineer, Test & Trials. “Every system we’ve checked, re‑checked, and tested had to perform exactly as expected—and it did. This success gives our crew confidence as we move into the next phase of propulsion testing.”
SETTING THE PACE
With MELO complete in MMR #1, the ship now moves into the next phase of propulsion testing, which includes generator paralleling and additional engine light-offs. This progress sets the foundation for Dock Trials and Builder’s Trials.
The next major steps: lighting off the engines in Main Machinery Room #2, generator paralleling and preparing for upcoming propulsion events.
“This milestone keeps the ship on a solid path toward trials,” said Stephen Janowski, Amphibious Program Manager. “With MMR #1 online, the shipbuilders now have the momentum needed to drive into generator paralleling, additional engine light‑offs and, ultimately, getting the ship to sea. It’s a strong accomplishment for the entire LHA team.”
ABOUT THE SHIP
The first Flight 1 America-class ship, Bougainville (LHA 8) is a multi-functional and versatile ship that is capable of operating in a high density, multi-threat environment as an integral part of an expeditionary strike group, an amphibious task force or an amphibious ready group.
Ingalls has delivered 15 large-deck amphibs to the U.S. Navy—including the first-of-class USS America (LHA 6) and USS Tripoli (LHA 7)— and began construction in 2023 on Fallujah (LHA 9).
