History
The program started in July 2001, with development beginning in October 2005, the production decision was made in January 2006, and construction of LHA-6 began in December 2008. The keel-laying ceremony was on 17 July 2009 with delivery originally planned for August 2012. As of 2009 delivery was planned for February 2013 and initial capability for February 2014, but delivery has now been further delayed into FY2014.
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding was awarded $48.1m for "additional planning and advanced engineering services in support of the LHA replacement (LHA) Flight 0 amphibious assault ship (LHA 7)" on 28 October 2010, to run until May 2012. It is tentatively scheduled for delivery in 2017. In January 2011 development problems led to the F-35B program being placed on probation for two years, and plans for LHA-7 could change if the F-35B is canceled.
In April 2012 Contract N00024-10-C-2229 was issued to Huntington Ingalls Industries, in which funding for steel plate purchase for LHA-7 is planned, and announced requirement for additional four ships (to LHA-10). LHA-7 will be laid down in April 2013 and her commission is planned in 2018.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced May 4 the selection of USS Tripoli as the name for the Navy's next large-deck amphibious assault ship (LHA-7).
Read more about this topic: America-class Amphibious Assault Ship
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