'Arlington', following extensive sea trials, is the eighth ship in the LPD 17 class of ships Ingalls has delivered to the Navy.
The ship performed well during builder's and U.S. Navy acceptance trials. Ingalls has three more LPDs in various stages of development or construction. Built to be survivable and flexible, these complex warships enable the services to carry out their missions without constraints or additional assets.
"The delivery of LPD 24 caps an outstanding year in our amphibious shipbuilding programs," said Ingalls' LPD Vice President Doug Lounsberry. "LPD 24 is the third ship we've delivered within a year, and it is a testament to the work ethic and dedication of our LPD shipbuilders. We are receiving tremendous feedback from the Navy on how the ships in this class are performing. It's a hot production line right now, and we are ready to build more."
LPD 24 sailors and Ingalls' shipbuilders gathered on the flight deck to view the short delivery ceremony where the official DD 250 paperwork was signed. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned in the U.S Navy fleet sometime next spring.
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.
In the picture: (left to right) Kari Wilkinson, Ingalls' LPD 24 program director; Capt. Steve Mitchell, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast; and Cmdr. Darren Nelson, LPD 24's prospective commanding officer.