LPD 17 Construction on Course
The steel profile of San Antonio, the first ship of the LPD 17 class, can now be seen rising along the banks of the Mississippi River at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Avondale, La. technologies that will enhance the amphibious fleet's operational flexibility. Osprey. The San Antonio construction program enjoyed some recent successes, thanks to a new incentive program established by NAVSEA's LPD-17 program office. The program provides incentives to the shipyard to enhance efficiencies and complete construction phases on schedule and within budget. San Antonio construction achieved its 10 percent completion milestone in February 2002 and is quickly nearing its 20 percent production objective. schedule. There is significant progress in other areas as well.
DoD Certifies LPD-17 Program
The LPD-17 Amphibious Transport Dock Ship program is one of six acquisition projects the Defense Department recently certified to Congress under the Nunn-McCurdy Law. The certification allows the programs to move forward, said Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Pete Aldridge, during a press roundtable May 2. The LPD-17, a program of Naval Sea Systems Command's Program Executive Office for Expeditionary Warfare, is a new class of amphibious transport dock ship incorporating advanced performance and warfighting technologies that will enhance the amphibious fleet's operational flexibility. There are four ships under contract leading to a 12-ship buy. "Ninety-five percent of the design has been completed," Aldridge said.
