Assault Ship America (LHA 6)
July 17, 2009
PASCAGOULA, Miss. – July 17, 2009 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) celebrated a significant milestone with a keel authentication ceremony for America (LHA 6), the Navy's newest class of large-deck amphibious assault ship, at the company's Pascagoula facility.
"There could be nothing more exciting to me than to be a part
of this ship," said Lynne Pace, ship sponsor for America and wife of
retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, former Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff.
In step with Navy and maritime tradition, Mrs. Pace had her
initials welded onto a ceremonial steel plate noting the ship's keel
had been "truly and fairly laid."
"Today I'd like to thank the Northrop Grumman shipbuilders who
will put their heart and soul into building this ship and making it the
best in the world," she continued. "You have incredible talents, skills
and craftsmanship that are needed to build the tools to help keep our
country safe. For your dedication and patriotism, I thank you."
LHA 6, the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name America, replaces the aging Tarawa-class and represents a conscious decision to increase the aviation capacity of future big deck amphibious ships in order to maximize the Navy's investment in future aircraft.
"I can think of no more fitting place or time to celebrate this new ship and all she represents on the heels of our nation's 233rd birthday in a city and a shipyard that strongly reflect the values of this great nation," said Art Divens, executive director for Amphibious & Auxiliary Ships and Craft, executive director for Program Executive Office, Ships.
"Today's ceremony is especially noteworthy, for not only are we
acknowledging a critical milestone in the Navy's newest ship of the
line, but we are also celebrating a monumental leap forward in the
strength, capability and flexibility of the Navy's amphibious fleet,"
Divens continued. "This ship can go in harm's way to project combat
power ashore and is perfectly suited to support humanitarian assistance
and other contingency missions on a moment's notice."
America will be 844 feet long and 106 feet wide and weighs 44,854 tons. Its propulsion system will drive it to speeds in excess of 22 knots. It will accommodate 1,204 crew and 1,871 troops.
"LHA 6 will be built by the best shipbuilders in the world," said Irwin F. Edenzon, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "It will be built by thousands of Northrop Grumman men and women who are proud to be shipbuilders. We work everyday to design and build quality ships. The Sailors and Marines who sail in them and protect our nation's freedom deserve nothing less."
"America will carry her finest into harm's way, and her ability to return them safely will depend directly on the extraordinary efforts
of this Gulf Coast shipyard," said U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Howell,
executive officer and director of contracts, Supervisor of
Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast.
"To the men and women of Northrop Grumman, whether you realize
it or not, you proudly wear the cloth of this great nation. Your
uniform of denim and coveralls, often covered in soot and dust after a
long day at the shipyard, represent a level of commitment that few will
ever truly understand. The sweat from your brow from the long hours in
the heat is the sacrifice you make so that your Navy and Marine Corps
brothers and sisters will be less likely to bleed in conflict.
"Never let it be forgotten that it is your deft hands and
skilled craftsmanship that are the key enablers to keeping the Global
War on Terrorism from our shores," Capt. Howell added.
America will have an extended hangar deck with two higher
hangar bay areas, each fitted with an overhead crane for aircraft
maintenance. The ship will also provide increased aviation fuel
capacity, stowage for aviation parts and support equipment. In
addition, America will be able to embark and launch the MV-22 Osprey
tilt-rotor aircraft, cargo and attack helicopters, the AV-8B Harrier
and the short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) variant F-35B Lightning
II Strike Fighter.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security
company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products,
and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems,
shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial
customers worldwide.
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