Article Posted on : - Jul 18, 2011

PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI (BNS): The US Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries a $98 million cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract modification for long-lead materials for LPD 27.

The work, which will be conducted by the Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, will include the purchase of long-lead-time materials and major equipment in support of the new ship, such as main engines and diesel generators and other equipment, including electrical switchboards, deck equipment and fire extinguishing systems, the company said in a statement.

This is the second advance procurement contract for LPD 27, the 11th amphibious transport dock ship of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) class. The first contract was awarded in October 2010.

The LPD 17-class ships are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades.

The ships can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and EFVs, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22.