The US Navy (USN) and Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) are continuing to discuss a combined deal for amphibious assault and transport dock ships, according to Chris Kastner, HII executive vice-president and chief operating officer.
“Regarding the potential bundled acquisition of LHA 9 (America-class amphibious assault ship) with LPD 32 (amphibious transport dock) and LPD 33, discussions are ongoing with the customer,” Kaster said on 5 August during a quarterly earnings call with investment analysts. “We believe that a bundled acquisition continues to be the most cost-effective method of procurement of these critically important ships,” he added.
Michael Petters, HII chief executive officer, told analysts during the call, “Getting the LPDs and the LHA on in a cadence that's predictable over the next several years creates a foundation for all the other programmes that Ingalls is going to be working.”
At Ingalls Shipbuilding yard, the company recently received a USD107 million contract modification to provide additional long-lead-time material and advanced procurement activities for LHA 9, increasing the current funding on the ship to about USD490 million, Kastner noted.
“In addition, Ingalls was awarded a contract with a potential total value of USD724 million over seven years for planning yard services and supportive of a variety of in-service amphibious class ships, including the LPD 17 San Antonio class and LHA 6 America class,” he said.
At the yard, USS Bougainville (LHA 8) “is making steady progress through the structural erection and initial outfitting phases of construction with costs and schedule performance in line with our expectations”, Kaster said. As for other ships, USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) is on track to conduct sea trials during the fourth quarter and Richard M McCool Jr
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