San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock (LPD-22) design & construction: ~$10.0B — a contract with Huntington Ingalls (USAspending)

1The amphibious transport dock LPD-22

This contract covers the detail design and construction of LPD-22, a San Antonio class (LPD-17 class) amphibious transport dock.

2The San Antonio class as a ship type

The San Antonio class (LPD-17 class) is an amphibious-warfare ship — an amphibious transport dock — that carries Marine Corps personnel, vehicles, and supplies and projects forces from sea to shore using air-cushion landing craft (LCAC) launched from its well deck and helicopters/tiltrotors (e.g., the MV-22) from its flight deck. LPD-22 is one such ship.

3How amphibious ships carry Marine mobility

Though overshadowed by higher-profile types like nuclear submarines and carriers, amphibious-warfare ships underpin Marine Corps mobility and form part of the Navy's shipbuilding portfolio. This award illustrates their scale.

4From sea to shore by two routes

An amphibious transport dock is not merely a ship that carries troops. It carries the means of moving the people and equipment it brought from ship to shore, and there are two of them.

1. 1LoadMarine personnel, vehicles and supplies are taken aboard and carried to the operating area
2. 2Out through the well deckAir-cushion landing craft launch from a floodable compartment inside the ship
3. 3Off the flight deckHelicopters and tiltrotor aircraft lift from the deck above
4. 4Deliver ashoreBy surface and by air, the force reaches the shore

Overshadowed by carriers and nuclear submarines, amphibious ships nonetheless underpin the mobility of the Marine Corps and hold their place in naval procurement. The San Antonio class (LPD-17) is the type, and this contract covers detail design and construction of one of them, LPD-22.