Huntington Ingalls delivers U.S. Navy ship

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PASCAGOULA, Miss., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries has delivered the eighth LPD 17 class amphibious transport dock ship to the U.S. Navy.

The ship -- the future USS Arlington (LPD 24) -- will carry U.S. Marine Corps expeditionary forces and equipment.

LPD 17s, also known as San Antonio class ships, are 684 feet long, displace 25,000 tons, and have a speed of 22 knots. They will replace earlier classes of amphibious ships.

"This is the third San Antonio class ship to be delivered to the Navy within the last 12 months," said Capt. Darren Plath, LPD 17 class program manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office for Ships. "It illustrates the significant efforts and teamwork of the shipbuilder and Navy team and provides the fleet with three vital war-fighting assets in a one-year period."

The Arlington will be commissioned next spring and will be home-ported in Norfolk, Va.

PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships and special warfare craft for the Navy.