Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Announces Name of LPD 26, USS John P. Murtha

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SECNAV Announces Name of LPD 26, USS Murtha
UNITED STATES - 23 APRIL 2010

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) honored the legacy of the late U.S. Representative John Murtha by declaring April 23 that the U.S. Navy's 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, LPD 26, will bear his name.

The announcement was made at John P. Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County airport in Johnstown, Pa., a town Murtha held close to his heart.

SECNAV Ray Mabus was accompanied by Joyce and Donna Murtha, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Representative Norm Dicks of Washington and U.S. Representative David Obey of Wisconsin.

"John Patrick Murtha served our country his entire adult life," said Mabus. "Both in uniform as a Marine and in the halls of Congress, he dedicated himself to the United States of America."

Murtha's service began when he joined the Marine Corps in 1952 and served in the Korean War. He also saw service in Vietnam in 1966, a tour that earned him the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Murtha retired from military service as a colonel in 1990. He had 37 years of active and Reserve service.

Murtha represented Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District from 1974 until his death in 2010. In his position as the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, he oversaw appropriations for the Department of Defense, which included the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and the intelligence community. He was a driving force for the Navy's shipbuilding program, providing necessary funds to grow and maintain the fleet and preserve the industrial base.

"Throughout his time in Congress, Jack Murtha remained a Marine. He always did what he thought best for our country and he championed the interests of service men and women." said Mabus.

The future USS John P. Murtha will transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies and will support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions for a projected 30 years.

"She will serve as a visible symbol of the freedoms Chairman Murtha held dear, and his example will live on in the steel of that ship and in all those who will serve aboard her." said Mabus.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa (April 23, 2010) - - Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) the Honorable Ray Mabus announces that the name of the next amphibious transport dock ship will be USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Murtha's widow, Joyce Murtha, look on. The future USS John Murtha will be the tenth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship.

WASHINGTON (April 23, 2010) - - An artist concept of the amphibious tranport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The future USS John Murtha will be the tenth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship.

 

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NGC Announces $184 M Advance Procurement Contract
UNITED STATES - 30 APRIL 2010

The U.S. Navy awarded a $184 million cost plus fixed-fee advance procurement contract modification to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) that will provide long lead materials for LPD 26, the tenth amphibious transport dock ship of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) class.

The funds will be used to purchase long lead time materials and major equipment in support of the new ship, such as main engines and diesel generators and other equipment including electrical switchboards, deck equipment and fire extinguishing systems.

The work will be performed at the company's Gulf Coast facilities. This is the second advance procurement contract for LPD 26.

"Northrop Grumman Shipbuilders are committed to building a high quality ship -- the 10th in this strong class of amphibs for the U.S. Navy," said Tim Farrell, vice president and program manager of the LPD program for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Gulf Coast. "This procurement contract enables us to continue our focus on effective and efficient supply chain management through the advanced purchase of essential material that will help us meet our schedule commitments with our Navy customer."

The ten ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy's ability to project power ashore. Collectively, these ships functionally replace over 41 ships (LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113, and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships) providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable, and built to operate with 21st Century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey and the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).

The LPD 17-class ships are 684 feet long, 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ship can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and EFVs, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22. These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st Century.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation