TSAMTO, September 2. On August 30, the US Navy Command announced the completion of the final tests, in accordance with the contract for the supply (FCT), of the new LHA-7 "Tripoli"universal landing ship (UDC).
As reported by Navyrecognition.com FCTS are an integral part of the post-delivery testing period of the UDC and are aimed at the final verification of the ship and all its key systems, as well as the readiness of the crew. The tests were carried out by the US Navy Ship Inspection and Acceptance Team INSURV (Board of Inspection and Survey) for four days in port and at sea. The stage of sea trials included driving at full speed, demonstration of combat systems, simulation of damage control situations and other activities.
As reported by TSAMTO, the lead ship of the series, LHA-6 "America", officially entered the combat structure of the American fleet on October 11, 2014. The construction of the LHA-7 "Tripoli" began in July 2013. The keel laying ceremony took place on June 20, 2014. The vessel was launched on May 1, 2017. The ship was transferred to the US Navy in February 2020 and entered the fleet in July 2020. UDC is currently based in San Diego.
The new UDC is designed to replace the outdated ships of the LHA-1 Tarawa class. Like the lead ship of the series, the LHA-7 will be able to carry a large air group, will be distinguished by an enlarged hangar deck, infrastructure for aircraft maintenance, warehouses for spare parts and auxiliary equipment, as well as a large stock of aviation fuel.
LHA-7 can be used to perform various tasks. As planned, it will be used as the flagship of the expeditionary strike group / Amphibious Landing Group (Amphibious Ready Group – ARG) The US Navy. The ship will become the base of the Marine expeditionary detachment, equipped with helicopters, MV-22 Osprey PLA and F-35B Lightning-2 aircraft.
The length of the Tripoli is 255.7 m (844 ft), the maximum width is 106 feet, the displacement is 44971 tons. The LHA-7 is equipped with a fuel – saving power plant of the CODLOG type, consisting of two LM2500+ gas turbines with a capacity of 35290 hp each, and two auxiliary running electric motors with a capacity of 5000 hp.The speed is more than 20 knots, the crew is 1204 people (including 102 officers). The UDC can take on board up to 1870 paratroopers. The vessel will also carry a supply of fuel and spare parts for the air group.
