PASCAGOULA, Miss., June 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy came through for Pascagoula this week with a $2.49 billion contract for construction of three amphibious ships at the Gulf Coast shipyard.
Northrop Grumman received the contracts for construction of two San Antonio-class amphibious transports and the purchase of long-lead materials for a third.
"We have made remarkable process and quality improvements in the building of these extraordinary ships," boasted Northrop Ship Systems President Philip Teel. "We intend to build these new ships in less time and at reduced cost."
The ships green-lighted for construction were the USS San Diego and USS Anchorage. Materials will be acquired for USS Arlington.
Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said in a news release he expected funding for the next vessel in line to be awarded in fiscal year 2007 or 2008, depending on congressional approval.
Four San Antonio-class ships are currently under construction at Pascagoula and New Orleans. The USS San Antonio herself is undergoing sea trials off Virginia and paid a port call to New York as part of the city's annual Fleet Week.
The vessels replace a number of the Navy's current varieties of amphibious ships, which serve as transport for 800-man Marine Corps units and their heavy equipment.
The 684-foot ships have a modest 23-foot draft and are designed to serve as launch platforms for LCAC hovercraft, helicopters and up to 14 Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles, which are currently under development.
