America

  • The U.S. Navy’s newest Amphibious Assault Ship, USS America (LHA 6) was commissioned on October 11, 2014 at Pier 30-32 in San Francisco.  First in its class, the USS America does not have a well deck, unlike her previous counterparts, thus making the USS America an LHA with an aviation focus.  The removal of the well deck allows USS America to have larger hangar facilities and more capacity for aviation fuel and munitions.  The U.S. Navy points out that, “In lieu of a well deck, the LHA 6 hangar bay was enlarged and numerous aviation-related work spaces and shops were incorporated.”   She has two aircraft elevators, one each on the port and starboard side behind the superstructure, and her two twin smokestack funnels are angled away to starboard from the flight deck. 
    USS America is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name, and the first America-class Amphibious Assault Ship.  With a displacement of approximately 45,000 tons fully-combat loaded, a length of 844 ft., a beam of 106 ft., and a draft of 26 ft., the USS America can sail in excess of 20 knots via two marine gas diesel turbines generating 70,000 total bhp.  The ship cost about $3 billion dollars and was launched on June 4, 2012.   The USS America sailed around South America on her maiden voyage after her launch from Pascagoula, Mississippi with stops in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Columbia before arriving at her homeport in San Diego, California on September 15, 2014. USS America’s sailors and Marines conducted joint-training programs with these South American allies. Her role is to act as flagship for Marine Expeditionary Units and will be capable of supporting the V-22 tilt-rotor Ospreys and CH-53E “Sea Stallions” to transport them ashore.  Aviation firepower will be provided by AH-1Z “Super Cobra” and MH-60R “Sea Knight” helicopters, and AV-8B Harrier jump jets or F-35B Short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter-bombers.  UH-IY helicopters provide aerial Command and Control.  According to NAVSEA, “LHA 6 carries various mixes of aircraft (airplanes and helicopters), with the concept of operations dictating the specific aircraft amounts [carried].”
    Depending on the mission, the aircraft complement could be arranged to carry 20 F-35B STOVL fighter-bombers and two MH-60Ss, in essence turning this Amphibious Assault Ship into a small aircraft carrier.  Like previous amphibious assault ships, the LHA 6 does not have a skijump at the bow so Harriers and F-35Bs line up at the stern and travel the length of the ship to take off.  Her flight deck is constructed of HY100-strength steel, the same high-hardness steel used to build the hull of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines.  The deck has been designed to stand up to the high heat of the V-22 Ospreys and F-35Bs’ downward facing exhaust nozzles.
    The America-class can accommodate 65 officers and 994 enlisted personnel and can carry 1,687 Marines.  Since the America does not have a well deck, only those Marine vehicles that could be air-transported via CH-53Es and V-22s are carried.  Those air-transportable Marine vehicles include High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and Light Armored Vehicles slung-loaded under a CH-53E, and the M1161 and M1163 “Growler” Interim Tactical vehicles and the Expeditionary Fire Support System (120mm mortar) carried internally by V-22 aircraft.  U.S. Navy SEALs can be inserted via the MH-60S.  Marine Corps vehicles that are unable to be offloaded by aircraft aboard USS America include the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, AAV7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles, M88 Recovery Vehicles, M1 Assault Breacher Vehicles, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement trucks and the M777 lightweight towed howitzers, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP), MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV), and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).  These heavy vehicles will not be carried aboard the USS America.  The second America-class ship, the USS Tripoli (LHA 7), is under construction and will be a nearly identical copy of the USS America.  LHAs following the Tripoli will have a well-deck built in to allow the transport of all Marine armor and vehicles.
    The USS America is armed with two 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) anti-missile launchers (6 kilometer range), two eight-cell Sea Sparrow Missile launchers firing the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) (50+ kilometer range), and two 20mm Phalanx Close-in Weapons Systems (CIWS) with radar and Forward Looking Infrared sensors (1,490 meter range).  One RAM and one ESSM launcher is located forward of the bridge while a CIWS is positioned over the bridge for forward coverage.  The other RAM is located on the starboard stern corner with the ESSM in the middle of the stern and the remaining CIWS on the port corner of the stern.  Seven twin .50cal heavy machine guns line the port and starboard sides for close-in defense against small surface threats.  USS America also carries an electronic warfare sensor suite and anti-missile decoy launchers for self-protection.

    (As published in the February 2015 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News - http://magazines.marinelink.com/Magazines/MaritimeReporter)

  • Overnight operations are certainly not unusual on America’s inland waterways, but that doesn’t make them any less hazardous. Onboard activities that seem so straightforward and customary in the light of day can take on a decidedly different feel after the sun sets and darkness envelopes the river and

  • on the market Maritime Reporter & Engineering News visits with Matthew Paxton, who was selected to be the President of the Shipbuilders Council of America in 2007. In this capacity he advocates for a robust and expanding U.S. shipyard industrial base.   To start off, in your view what is the current

  • “How can we have a 21st century economy with a 20th century infrastructure?” Vice President Joe Biden recently posed this question to an audience at the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) annual meeting in Houston, Texas. He went on to say, “the greatest economic power in the world needs the most

  • YANMAR America’s EPA Tier III compliant commercial marine diesel engine is rated at 755 mHP and 1900 RPM. The new 20.38-liter 6AYAM-ET uses a fully mechanical control system for easy servicing and reliable performance. The four-cycle, in-line six-cylinder 6AYAM-ET offers several key features and benefits

  • and Ingram Barge Company announced plans to assess the viability of Intermodal River Transportation, utilizing the largest flat-top crane in North America and Ingram’s towboats and barges. On March 27th, that plan came to life as the Paducah Riverport Authority’s 200-ton crane lifted 54 empty containers

  • M. ClassNK is approved and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct surveys and audits of towing vessels as a Third Party Organization. The ClassNK America Group, which combines the capabilities of subsidiaries Safety Management Systems, LLC and Helm Operations with the renowned classification society

  • Russia has more polar icebreakers than the rest of the world combined. America has one polar icebreaker and that one is well past its prime. There has been talk of sharing icebreakers. Sharing may work with allies, who are generally on the same page. Sharing will not work with Russia, which views the world

  • Agip has recently rebranded as Eni, while simultaneously announcing plans to increase penetration of its lubricant brands in North America across all industries. Gianfranco Mosconi (above) President and CEO of Eni USA R&M Co., shares the vision behind the strategy. Gianfranco Mosconi, with a Bachelor in

  • ‘No man is an island.’ Today, the interconnectivity of business can drive opportunity, but those same interactions can significantly affect us and our businesses. Today’s marine businesses have to manage and prepare for the actions of “the other guy” as much as they have to manage their own operations.

  • Following a major expansion which saw new MacArtney offices open in every coastal corner of the North America and added several new faces to the team, MacArtney is looking to experience record breaking growth within North American markets for underwater technology. This marks a key contribution to the

  • again, after years of decline. The shorter, greener and smarter route(s) make increasingly good sense for high value cargoes. Commercial utilization of America’s original superhighway – the Erie Canal – is on the rise again in recent years after years of decline. The third generation of the famed Erie Canal

  • MR Feb-24#20  activity forecast for North America will be  the ?  oating)
    February 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 20

    each accounting for around 20% of the units. for executing challenging and large projects in deep water into Over 80% of the activity forecast for North America will be the ? oating wind space, including Petrobras, Shell, TotalEn- located in the U.S and Mexican Gulf of Mexico. The region ergies, Equinor

  • MN Feb-24#42  to Head Danfoss 
Drives N. America 
Leichtfried  Ballard)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 42

    as its new CEO. ilainen as interim managing director and CEO following the departure of CEO Reko-Antti Suojanen. Leichtfried to Head Danfoss Drives N. America Leichtfried Ballard Menoyo Joins Hannes Leichtfried has been ap- Great Lakes Towing pointed head of sales and marketing for the Danfoss Drives

  • MN Feb-24#35 , including 
three in the Americas: Newfoundland, Broussard)
    February 2024 - Marine News page: 35

    academies and elsewhere. In addition to building the simulators, Virtual Marine owns and operate a series of training centers, including three in the Americas: Newfoundland, Broussard, La. and Robert, La. Harnessing the power of technology Over the years, Virtual Marine has witnessed signi? cant advancements

  • MT Jan-24#35  take the pulse of the planet. America.
“As I’m on deck here)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 35

    the planet and how to maintain life on Earth, numerous projects, from the BBC’s Frozen Planet to Captain humans need to take the pulse of the planet. America. “As I’m on deck here, I can’t help but think about the sto- The Foundation Expedition last September marked the start ries that inspire me, of sailors

  • MT Jan-24#26  vehicles (UUV), 
for “America’s War?  ghting Navy,”)
    January 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 26

    , the U.S. has a lot going on in the under- Adm. Lisa Franchetti released her priorities sea domain, including unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), for “America’s War? ghting Navy,” and talked manned submarines, and torpedoes and other weapons. Sabout putting “more players on the ? eld.” Maritime drones

  • MR Jan-24#18  Business Manager, North America, 
Sherwin-Williams Protective)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 18

    Modern Marine Epoxies By Justin Peare, Marine Coatings Representative, Great Lakes Region & Matt Heffernan, Commercial Marine Business Manager, North America, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine he Motor Vessel Mark W. Barker – the ? rst U.S.- advanced coatings systems to ensure durability. Initially

  • MR Jan-24#14  mod- tween Europe and South America.
square meters. Steel)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 14

    advance- life on a ? xed trans-Atlantic route be- meters tall with a projected area of 363 ments, encompassing the detailed mod- tween Europe and South America. square meters. Steel ships are of course elling of the intricate interaction among Modelling, and data from Energy much heavier than a state-of-the-art

  • MR Jan-24#13  or ideas coming 
The original Americas Cup rigid two- ensure)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 13

    , Scaling Down for Commercial Ops The Inception of OceanWings automatically switching to ? ag mode to While technology or ideas coming The original Americas Cup rigid two- ensure minimal impact on the vessel and from the yachting world to ships would element mainsail was pushed by the enable safe operations

  • MR Jan-24#12  Zero
© Jifmar Group Library
Americas Cup Innovation & a 
Carbon-Fr)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 12

    The Path to Zero © Jifmar Group Library Americas Cup Innovation & a Carbon-Free Shipping Future By Giorgio PROVINCIALI, CTO of AYRO and Former America’s Cup Performance Predictions Leader he Golden Gate Yacht Club sign, all of which were changed by the success in bringing the Americas Cup (GGYC)

  • MR Jan-24#4  of the author.  of North America with Sherwin-
t: (212))
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 4

    expressed in his article cial Marine Business Manager supply chain/cargo security. Web: www.marinelink.com are solely those of the author. of North America with Sherwin- t: (212) 477-6700 f: (212) 254-6271 Reference to any speci? c com- Williams Protective & Marine. He Peare mercial companies, products

  • MR Jan-24#2   
By Greg Trauthwein
America’s Cup Innovation
16 Autonomy:)
    January 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 2

    Early & Often team and delivering world ? rsts in the use of hydrogen as fuel in maritime. 12 The Path to Zero: Leveraging By Greg Trauthwein America’s Cup Innovation 16 Autonomy: U.S. Navy Leans Toward Uncrewed 30 Aurora Botnia is Lean & Green 18 Coatings Built by Rauma Marine Constructions

  • MT Nov-23#32  and in Asia before it reached America.  one plus two. And Massa)
    November 2023 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 32

    had other con? icts in the world; the base to meet the challenge and the requirement to build the war started in Germany and in Asia before it reached America. one plus two. And Massa is a submarine supplier. Our allies were asking for help, and we were sending supplies We have an interesting demographic

  • MR Dec-23#36  to the young United States of America, making her ?  rst 
protect)
    December 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 36

    Coast Guard. Revenue Cutter Argus began 13 years of ser- also conduct operations in the Arctic by helping regulate and vice to the young United States of America, making her ? rst protect emerging commerce, support ? sheries enforcement patrol in 1791 and serving until 1804. and energy exploration in Alaska

  • MR Dec-23#30 , Indonesia, and North America as a dedicated vessel)
    December 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 30

    this kind of, lots of “unknown” design matter Challenger hard sail, designed to transport coal, mainly from one by one.” Australia, Indonesia, and North America as a dedicated vessel As designed, Wind Challenger was expected to reduce for Tohoku Electric Power Co. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions about 5%

  • MN Nov-23#64 .com (337) 330-4407
29 All American Marine   www.AllAmericanMarin)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 64

    ADVERTISER INDEX Page Company Website Phone# 39 Ahead Sanitation www.aheadsanitationsystems.com (337) 330-4407 29 All American Marine www.AllAmericanMarine.com (360) 647-7602 49 Arcosa Marine www.arcosamarine.com (615) 400-4373 3 C Job Naval Architects c-job.com/offshore Please visit our

  • MN Nov-23#47  1,243 KWH  maritime in the Americas, said, “The Green Diamond)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 47

    by the Corvus Orca Maarten Poort, Shell’s general manager for shipping and E2250V energy storage system, which provides 1,243 KWH maritime in the Americas, said, “The Green Diamond of power, or, if needed, onboard Caterpillar C18 generators. demonstrates how industry can collaborate to make strides

  • MN Nov-23#44  
being constructed to serve America’s state maritime acad-)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 44

    As the lead vessel in a series of ? ve new training ships as a state-of-the-art training platform for up to 600 cadets being constructed to serve America’s state maritime acad- at sea, the vessel design would also have to accommodate emies, Empire State is easily one of the most important use as a

  • MN Nov-23#38 , VP, 
Shipbuilders Council of America  Shipbuilders Council)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 38

    Feature Shipyards SCA SCA Matthew Paxton, President, Paula Zorensky, VP, Shipbuilders Council of America Shipbuilders Council of America and investments. nent residents. However, there is an exemption for foreign “We don’t need everything to be in the weeds,” Zoren- owned vessels in order to be fair

  • MN Nov-23#37  ruling 
builders Council of America (SCA)  linked to the)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 37

    facing if operating policies are murky. shipbuilders, executives at the Ship- As an example, Paxton and Zorensky cited a CBP ruling builders Council of America (SCA) linked to the installation of wind tower monopiles (steel W listed a number of topics and concerns. tubes driven into the seabed, forming

  • MN Nov-23#26  Engines installed on U.S. 
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS))
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 26

    standards apply to both Horizon: View of the Emerging Energy Value Chains”, the U.S. vessels and to foreign vessels Engines installed on U.S. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) explains that, “Dur- vessels are also subject to fuel standards and engine emission ing the recent 80th meeting of the

  • MN Nov-23#20 , President & CEO, The American Waterways Operators
You)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 20

    Column Sustainability Navigating Sustainability: Charting a Way Forward By Jennifer Carpenter, President & CEO, The American Waterways Operators You can feel it in the air, lenge. The Task Force’s recommendations, approved by and increasingly on the water: a steady increase in momen- AWO’s Board

  • MN Nov-23#8  lower by more  tractors of America. Doyle said he expects)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 8

    to the IGE, 59 projects were the blocks”, said William P. Doyle, CEO, Dredging Con- lower by more than 10%, 27 projects were lower by more tractors of America. Doyle said he expects this trend will than 25% and 15 projects were lower by more than 40%. continue into the foreseeable future, noting dredging

  • MN Nov-23#6    
is president & CEO of The American Waterways Op- is a retired)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 6

    Marine News November 2023 • Volume 34 Number 11 Contributors 1 24 35 7 6 8 9 1 Jennifer Carpenter 5 Edward Lundquist is president & CEO of The American Waterways Op- is a retired naval of? cer who writes on maritime and security erators, the tugboat, towboat and barge industry’s ad- issues. He

  • MN Nov-23#2  
for training cadets at America’s state maritime academies)
    November 2023 - Marine News page: 2

    Advertisers Index On the Cover Empire State is the lead vessel in a series of ? ve new ships purpose-built by Philly Shipyard for training cadets at America’s state maritime academies. Delivered to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) under its National Security Multi- Missio