US Navy christens latest amphibious transport dock

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ division Ingalls Shipbuilding has held the naming ceremony of the US Navy’s amphibious transport dock Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) at its shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the christening was live-streamed, and a small event was held with limited in-person attendance.

The USS Fort Lauderdale, which is the first ship to bear the name of the Florida city, is the 12th San Antonio-class ship. 

These vessels are designed to support embarking, transporting and bringing ashore elements of 650 Marines by landing craft or air cushion vehicles. The ship’s capabilities are further enhanced by a flight deck and hangar, which can operate CH 46 Sea Knight helicopters and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (MV-22).

San Antonio-class ships can support a variety of amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions, operating independently or as part of amphibious readiness groups (ARGs), expeditionary strike groups, or joint task forces.

In March last year, the US Navy announced the launch of the USS Fort Lauderdale.