Amphibious Assault Ship USS America (LHA 6) Commissioned into U.S. Navy

: Posted On Sunday, 12 October 2014 22:44

Naval Forces News - USA

Amphibious Assault Ship USS America (LHA 6) Commissioned into U.S. Navy

USS America (LHA 6), the Navy's newest and most technologically advanced amphibious assault ship, was commissioned during a formal ceremony at Pier 30/32 dur ing San Francisco Fleet Week, Oct. 11. More than 8,000 friends, family members and invited guests gathered in front of the ship to witness its introduction to the U.S. Navy fleet.

During the ceremony, Adm. Harry B. Harris, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, commended the crew for their performance during acceptance trials and sailing around South America. He said because conflict and crisis can arise at any time, warships like America will be needed as the nation conducts its strategic rebalance to the Pacific.

USS America is optimized for aviation and will be capable of supporting current and future aircraft, such as the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Scorza/Released)

America is the first ship of its class and the fourth ship named "America." The first America was originally a racing schooner launched in 1851 and served in the Navy until 1873 before returning to civilian life. In 1921, she was presented to the Navy for preservation as a relic and remained at the U.S. Naval Academy until being scrapped in 1945. The second America transported troops during World War I. The third ship to bear the name was a Kitty-Hawk class aircraft carrier, CV 66, which supported operations from the Vietnam War through Operation Desert Storm.

America weighs 44,971-tons, is 844 feet in length and has an overall beam of 106 feet. It's equipped with a fuel-efficient, hybrid electric propulsion system, the same built for USS Makin Island (LHD 8), which is an energy initiative designed to give the ship the benefit of increased range, endurance, and time on station, enhancing its combat capability. It also provides greater flexibility in scheduling refueling and reduces maintenance costs.

The ship is optimized for aviation and will be capable of supporting current and future aircraft, such as the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. It was designed with additional aviation spaces and provides increased aviation capacity, including an enlarged hangar deck, the realignment and expansion of aviation maintenance facilities which provide a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity.