US Navy commissions newest LPD Fort Lauderdale

The US Navy commissioned its newest amphibious transport dock, the future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), during a ceremony on 30 July in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The nearly 25,000-ton Fort Lauderdale is 208.4 meters in length. Four diesel engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 22 knots, and it will homeport at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. 

The future USS Fort Lauderdale is the 12th San Antonio-class ship, designed to support embarking, transporting, and bringing elements of US Marines ashore by landing craft or air-cushion vehicles.

A flight deck hangar further enhances the ship’s capabilities, which can support the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. 

The vessel was officially delivered by shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding Division in March this year, following successful sea trials. The $1.46 billion contract between HII and US Navy for the construction of the ship was signed in 2016.

 Because of the ship’s inherent capabilities, they are able to support a variety of amphibious assault, special operations, expeditionary warfare, or disaster relief missions, operating independently or as part of Amphibious Readiness Groups (ARGs), Expeditionary Strike Groups, or Joint Task Forces.

In addition to LPD 28, HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Division is currently in production on the future USS Richard S. McCool (LPD 29) and the future USS Harrisburg (LPD 30).