Huntington Ingalls Industries announce completion of another successful sea trial of the USN amphibious transport dock 'Anchorage' (LPD 23)
The amphibious transport dock Anchorage (LPD 23) currently under construction at Ingalls' Avondale facility has returned from a three-day testing voyage in the Gulf of Mexico following rigorous testing of most of the ship's systems. The ship is the seventh in the LPD 17 class.
During the five-day acceptance trial evolution on land and at sea, the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) observed more than 220 test events demonstrated on the ship by Ingalls' test and trials team. The team thoroughly tested ship systems such as anchor handling, flight operations, steering, navigation, ballasting and de-ballasting the well deck, and compartment air balancing.
The 11 ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy's ability to project power ashore. Collectively, they functionally replace more than 41 ships (the LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113 and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships), providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable and built to operate with 21st century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey.
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 crafts, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22. These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century.