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The US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey tested the new America-class amphibious assault ship’s ystems as it cruised the Gulf of Mexico for three days. It returned to the Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard upon completion and now awaits deployment.



The ship passed testing by Ingalls Shipbuilding in July, amidst reports of its commissioning ceremony being pushed back due to technical difficulties. With only one month left in the season, it remains unclear whether the commissioning ceremony will take place later this year or in early 2020.



“There’s been a lot of hard work accomplished to get LHA 7 to this point”, said the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Gulf Coast, Capt. Nathan Schneider. “The team’s focus is now on delivering the LHA 7 to the fleet in the best possible condition, fully capable and ready to deploy if called upon.”





The U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) conducts builder’s trials in the Gulf of Mexico on 15 July 2019. (Photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries by Derek Fountain)

Future USS Tripoli is set to be the second of the America class ships to be deployed by the US Navy, and the third vessel with the namesake Tripoli. Its name honors the battle of Derne fought against the Barbary state of Tripoli, the first overseas land battle fought by the United States in its history.



The 844 feet long vessel utilizes systems of gas turbine propulsion, fuel-efficient electric auxiliary propulsion, and zonal electrical distribution first installed in the USS Makin Island (LHD-8). Its estimated displacement is 45,000 long tons and is capable of exceeding 20 knots of speeds. Both the hanger deck, parts and equipment stowage, aviation fuel capacity, and aviation maintenance facilities on the ship are expanded compared to previous Flight 0 designs.



“The capability that our large deck amphibs bring to the fight is tremendous,” said Tom Rivers, amphibious warfare program manager for Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “Their ability to embark F-35 B Joint Strike Fighters and MV-22 Osprey enable this versatile platform to increase the lethality of our expeditionary warfighters.”