Unveiling Maritime Majesty: HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Introduces the America-class Amphibious аѕѕаᴜɩt Ship Bougainville (LHA 8)

Ingalls Shipbuilding, a proud entity of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), introduces the epitome of maritime excellence—the Bougainville (LHA 8), a distinguished member of the America-class Amphibious Assault Ships, standing as a testament to our commitment to superior craftsmanship on the high seas.

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division proudly announces the triumphant launch of the Navy’s third America-class amphibious assault ship, Bougainville (LHA 8), gracefully gliding from its floating dock into the serenity of the Pascagoula River this Saturday. The meticulous process began on September 9th, as Bougainville was seamlessly transported from land to the company’s floating dry dock, skillfully guided by translation railcars. Within the dry dock’s embrace, the adept Ingalls team executed the final touches, ensuring every detail was impeccably prepared for the grand launch.

Distinguished as the inaugural ship in the America class to feature a well deck, Bougainville seamlessly blends aviation prowess with enhanced surface assault capabilities. The vessel’s expansive flight deck, tailored for F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey aircraft, complements the strategic inclusion of a well deck. This multifaceted design underscores Bougainville’s versatility, marking a groundbreaking advancement within the America-class fleet.

In addition to its formidable military capabilities, these large-deck amphibious assault ships boast state-of-the-art medical facilities. Complete with fully equipped operating suites and advanced triage capabilities, Bougainville exemplifies the fusion of cutting-edge technology and unwavering commitment to maritime excellence.

 

 

“This launch is a significant accomplishment for our entire LHA shipbuilding team, and we are honored to be building such a versatile ship for our Navy and Marine Corps partners. It is also a testament to the outstanding teamwork we see every day as our shipbuilders continue the critical work of preparing Bougainville for delivery,” Ingalls Shipbuilding Amphibious Ship Program Manager Gene Miller said.

The America class stands as a dynamic and adaptable naval vessel designed to excel in complex, high-threat scenarios, seamlessly integrating into expeditionary strike groups, amphibious task forces, or amphibious ready groups. With a track record of delivering 15 large-deck amphibious ships to the U.S. Navy, Ingalls marked a significant milestone in 2014 by delivering the inaugural vessel in the new America class, LHA 6. The second gem in this class, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), joined the Navy’s fleet in early 2020. The shipyard is currently in the process of constructing the Fallujah (LHA 9), which reached a noteworthy moment with the keel authentication ceremony held in September 2023, adding to the legacy of Ingalls’ contributions to naval excellence.

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Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) stands as a premier, worldwide defense provider across all domains. Committed to its mission, HII aims to furnish the globe with the most formidable ships and comprehensive all-domain solutions, dedicating its efforts to safeguarding peace and freedom on a global scale. As the largest military shipbuilder in the nation, boasting a storied legacy of over 135 years in advancing U.S. national security, HII is at the forefront of delivering pivotal capabilities spanning from cutting-edge ships to unmanned systems, cybersecurity, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and synthetic training. Nestled in Virginia, HII’s robust workforce, comprising 43,000 skilled individuals, underscores its unwavering commitment to excellence.