US Navy’s 3rd America-Class Amphibious Assault Ship Bougainville Launched

On 9 September, Bougainville was reportedly translated from land to the firm’s floating dry dock with the aid of translation railcars to support the vessel. While in the dry dock, the Ingalls team executed the final preparation work for a launch.

Bougainville is the first vessel belonging to the American class to be constructed with a well deck. The vessel will retain its exceptional aviation capabilities while adding surface assault capabilities of a well deck as well as a larger flight deck, particularly configured for an MV-22 Osprey aircraft and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.

The large-deck amphibious assault vessels include top-notch medical facilities with operating suites as well as triage facilities.

The America class is known to be a multifunctional and versatile vessel that’s capable of operating in a multi-threat and high-density environment as a key member of a unique expeditionary strike group, amphibious task force, or amphibious-ready team.

Ingalls has provided 15 large-deck amphibious vessels to the U.S. Navy. The shipyard delivered the first vessel in the brand new America class of amphibious assault vessels (LHA 6) back in 2014.

The second vessel in the America class, dubbed USS Tripoli (LHA 7), was successfully delivered to the US Navy in 2020.

Besides Bougainville, Fallujah (LHA 9) is under construction, and the firm authenticated the keel in a ceremony this year in September.

References: The Defense Post, Naval Today

US Navy’s 3rd America-Class Amphibious Assault Ship Bougainville Launched appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News