Huntington Ingalls Industries announced June 5th that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched the U.S. Navy's next amphibious assault ship, America (LHA 6), from the company's floating drydock on Monday.
"Launching a large-deck ship is a significant milestone requiring several highly skilled shipyard crafts and a complex logistics plan," said Brian Cuccias, Ingalls' vice president, large deck amphibious ships. "As the Navy's longtime sole provider of these important ships, we are unique in our ability to draw on the specialized experience our shipbuilders have in the safe and efficient translation and launch of a warship of this size."
The ship, weighing more than 29,000 tons in its current state, became one of the largest objects moved across land when it was translated to the drydock two weeks ago. Following additional planning and preparation, the launch process occurred utilizing the drydock's ballast system on Monday afternoon, and the ship floated free.
