Construction of New Amphibious Warship Begins

Fabrication has begun of the US Navy's LPD - 29,last of the LPD - 17 San Antonio-class Flight I amphibious transport dock ship.It is to be christened USS Richard M. McCool Jr,after a Medal of Honor winner and veteran of three wars.CAPT McCool received the Medal of Honor in 1945 for leading the effort to save his ship and her crew after a kamikaze attack in World War II.
Huntington Ingalls Industries is fabricating the warship in Pascagoula,Mississippi.The vessel is designed to transport US Marine Corps expeditionary units and brigades (up to around 720 troops) and their equipment,including  air cushion vehicles;amphibious assault vehicles;helicopters;and MV-22 Ospreys.The class is intended to support amphibious assault;special operations;and expeditionary warfare missions until about 2050.*
LPD - 28 and LPD - 29 are designated transition ships of the class.Flight II,formerly called LX (R),will consist of 13 ships,bringing the total to 26 ships for the entire class.Changes to the Flight II are relatively subtle,including the addition of Roller Doors for the Flight Deck Ramp and Hangar Doors;Traditional Stick Masts;an MV-22 Flight Deck Heating Structure;and an Open Upper Stern Gate.The alterations will not change the way most watches are stood,as these will stay the same at the ship operations level,according to program manager CAPT Brian Metcalf.*
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)

9-11 Memorial Ship Christened

The USS Arlington(LPD 24)was christened on Saturday,24 March at Northrop Grumman Ingalls Operations in Pascagula,Mississippi.Sponsored by Mrs.Joyce Rumsfeld,wife of former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld,the Arlington is an amphibious transport dock ship,and was built in honor of the 184 people killed when American Airlines Flight 77 was crashed into the side of the Pentagon on 9-11.
Sporting an advanced composite mast that is as tough as steel but much lighter,the ship has the mission of transporting and sustaining U.S. Marines and their equipment.She can carry a mix of helicopters and vertical take-off and landing fixed wing aircraft,as well as various landing craft,in addition to up to 800 Marines and their gear.
The USS New York(LPD 21),another 9-11 memorial vessel,is in the same San Antonio class as the Arlington,and is now in commission,or fully in service.A total of 11 of these ships are planned.They defend themselves with missiles,30mm guns and .50 caliber machine guns.
In the christening ceremony,Mrs.Rumsfeld broke a bottle of champagne on the new ship.At a later date,a commissioning ceremony is held,when the ship begins its life in the fleet.
Northrop Grumman is spinning off its shipbuilding division to form a separate company,which is to be called Huntington Ingalls Industries,with the U.S. Navy's consent.
Northrop Grumman(NOC)