US Navy names first Flight II LPD amphibious transport dock

The US Navvy’s first San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship to be built in the Flight II configuration will be named in honor of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

While being the first in this configuration, future USS Harrisburg (LPD 30) will be the 14th ship in its class.

LPD 30 will also be the second US Navy vessel named after the city of Harrisburg. The first was a troopship acquired by the Navy during World War I that served in commission from May 29, 1918 to September 25, 1919. That ship also served with the Navy in the Spanish-American War under another name.

San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups. LPD 30 will serve as the functional replacement for the aging LSD 41/49 Whidbey Island class ships.

It will feature a fully capable flight deck and hangar, a well deck, and the vehicle and cargo capacities to support and sustain more than 500 combat-equipped marines for up to 30 days.

USS Harrisburg will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, with construction scheduled to start in 2020. The ship will be 684 feet long, have a beam length of 105 feet and be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 22 knots.