Northrop Grumman Corporation announced today that it has been awarded $171 million by the U.S. Navy for advance procurement long-lead time materials for LPD
21, the fifth amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio-class LPD 17 program.
"This award demonstrates the commitment of the Department of
the Navy to this program, and underlines the support of Congress for
this critical addition to the fleet," said Dr. Philip A. Dur, Northrop
Grumman corporate vice president and president of the company's Ship
Systems sector.
Long-lead materials consist of the main engines, generators,
controllable pitch propellers and reduction gears, among other items.
Advance procurement is necessary for these critical long-lead items in
order to exercise vendor option rates.
To date, the first four ships awarded in the 12-ship LPD 17
program are under contract. LPD 17 and LPD 18 are presently under
construction at all three locations of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in
New Orleans and Pascagoula and Gulfport, Miss.
The first ship is approaching 50 percent completion in unit
erection at Avondale Operations in New Orleans. In October, the keel
for the second ship, USS New Orleans, will also be laid at Avondale.
The LPD 17 amphibious transport
dock ships are designed to be
208.4 meters (684 feet) long and 31.9 meters (105 feet) wide and will
replace the functions of the LPD 4-, LSD 36-, LKA 113-, and LDT
1179-classes of amphibious ships. The ship's mission is to embark,
transport and land elements of a landing force in an assault by
helicopters, landing craft and amphibious vehicles to conduct an
amphibious warfare mission.