LHA 7 - USS Tripoli

                                                           LHA 7 - USS Tripoli 

Secretary of the Navy Announces LHA 7 Will Be Named USS Tripoli

05/04/2012 04:44 PM CDT

No. 347-12
May 04, 2012

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Secretary of the Navy Announces LHA 7 Will Be Named USS Tripoli

            Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the selection of USS Tripoli as the name for the Navy's next large-deck amphibious assault ship (LHA 7).

            The USS Tripoli will be the third ship to bear the name Tripoli. The name commemorates the capture of Derna in 1805 by a small force of U.S. Marines and approximately 370 soldiers from 11 other nationalities.  The battle, later memorialized in the Marines' Hymn with the line "to the shores of Tripoli", brought about a successful conclusion to the combined operations of the First Barbary War.  The first USS Tripoli, an escort carrier, fought in the battle of the Atlantic during World War II.  The second, an amphibious assault ship, earned nine battle stars, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and a Navy Unit Commendation for service in Vietnam.

            "USS Tripoli and the proud heritage the name represents will be an inspiration for generations of sailors and Marines who serve aboard and those who come in contact with her, reminding all the freedoms our Navy protects are as vital today as they were centuries ago," Mabus said.

            Like the future USS America (LHA 6), LHA 7 has an increased aviation capacity to include an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.

            The LHA 7 will use the same gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution and electric auxiliary systems designed and built for the USS Makin Island, replacing the maintenance intensive steam plants of earlier ships.  This unique auxiliary propulsion system is designed for fuel efficiency.

            The LHA 7 will provide a flexible, multi-mission platform with capabilities that span the range of military operations -- from forward deployed crisis response to forcible entry operations.   The ship also will provide forward presence and power projection as an integral part of joint, interagency and multinational maritime expeditionary forces.  The ship will operate for sustained periods in transit to and operations in an amphibious objective area to include:  embarking, transporting, controlling, inserting, sustaining and extracting elements of a marine air-ground task force, and supporting forces by helicopters and tilt rotors supported by Joint Strike Fighters F-35B.

            Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342.

            For more news from secretary of the Navy public affairs, visit http://www.navy.mil/SECNAV .

            For more information about LHA, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=400&ct=4 .

Northrop gets advanced procurement contract for LHA 7 warship

http://www.brahmand.com/news/Northrop-gets-advanced-procurement-contract-for-LHA-7-warship/4312/1/24.html

PASCAGOULA, US (BNS): US defence company Northrop Grumman has received a $175 million contract from the US Navy for advance procurement of materials and initial design and planning of the LHA 7 large-deck amphibious warship.

As per the contract, the company will purchase long-lead time materials and major equipment, such as the main reduction gears, for the new ship besides its initial designing and planning.

The work will be performed at the company's Gulf Coast facilities. With all contract options exercised, the contract value could reach $193 million, Northrop said.

LHA 7 is the second new class of large-deck amphibious assault ship to be built for the US Navy. Northrop is currently constructing LHA 6 America for the navy.

LHA 7 will be 844 feet long and 106 feet wide and weigh 44,854 tons. Its hybrid propulsion system will drive it to speeds in excess of 22 knots on its gas turbines. It will accommodate 1,204 crew and 1,871 troops.

The warship will have an extended hangar deck with two higher hangar bay areas, each fitted with an overhead crane for aircraft maintenance. The ship will also provide increased aviation fuel capacity, stowage for aviation parts and support equipment.

In addition, LHA 7 will be able to embark and launch the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, cargo and attack helicopters, and the short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) variant F-35B Lightning II Strike Fighter.