HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES AWARDED MAJORITY OF CONTRACT DESIGN WORK FOR LX(R) CLASS OF AMPHIBIOUS SHIPS

PASCAGOULA, Miss., July 01, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been selected to perform the majority of the contract design work for the U.S. Navy’s amphibious warfare ship replacement, known as LX(R). The Department of Defense made the announcement Thursday at the same time Ingalls was awarded a contract to build the next large-deck amphibious assault warship, LHA 8.

LX(R) will replace the Navy’s Harpers Ferry- and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships and will use the same hull as the San Antonio (LPD 17) class. Ingalls has delivered 10 of the LPD 17 ships to the Navy, is currently building the 11th, Portland (LPD 27), and has received more than $300 million in advance procurement funding for the 12th, Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28).

“With a hot production line, skilled workers, a strong supplier base and deep experience building San Antonio-class LPD amphibious warships, Ingalls stands ready to close the gap between LPD 28 and LX(R), the next generation amphibious warships the Navy-Marine Corps team needs today,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said.