Page 31: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2022)

NAVAL SHIPBUILDING (VPT), which replaced the single purpose cruise missile launch HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division is building National Se- tubes. Block V variants are longer so they can incorporate the curity Cutters for the Coast Guard, Arleigh Burke-class guided new Virginia Payload Module (VPM). missile destroyers, and San Antonio class amphibious ships

The lead ship, USS Virginia (SSN 774), was commissioned and America-class assault ships in Pascagoula, Miss. That in- in 2004. The newest, USS Montana (SSN 794), was commis- cludes the 844-foot, 45,000-ton future USS Bougainville (LHA sioned in June of this year. Sixteen more are under construc- 8), as well as three San Antonio-class amphibious transport tion or authorized, divided between the two yards. dock ships (LPDs). The yard is transitioning from the Flight

The Navy plans to build 12 Columbia (SSBN-826) class I LPD to Flight II, with the new variant having enhanced war ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy’s ? ghting and survivability capabilities, improved command and current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. While both NNS control capabilities, stealthy design elements, and several qual- and EB are expected to build the new subs, EB is the primary ity of life improvements; plus it more affordable to replace the contractor and all boats will be assembled, tested, launched, Navy’s 12 aging Whidbey Island/Harpers Ferry (LSD-41/49) and delivered at Groton. class landing ship dock (LSD) ships. Richard M. McCool

General Dynamics has invested $1.85 billion in infrastruc- (LPD 29) is the ? nal Flight I LPD, while Harrisburg (LPD 30) ture improvements and expansion at Electric Boat to support will be the ? rst Flight II. Both are under construction, soon to the Columbia class production. “This involves new buildings be joined by Pittsburgh (LPD 31) and tooling for hull module construction at its Quonset Point, Ingalls has delivered nine Legend-class national security cut-

Rhode Island, facility, a 200,000 square-foot assembly build- ters to the Coast Guard. The 10th, Calhoun (WMSL 759) was ing at the Groton, Connecticut, shipyard, a custom transport christened in June and scheduled to be delivered early next year. barge for the Columbia modules, and a ? oating dry dock now The 11th, Friedman (WMSL 760), started fabrication in May under construction by Bollinger Shipyards,” McFadden said. 2021. Ingalls is the sole yard building the NSC, LPD and LHA. www.marinelink.com 31

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