LHA 6 keel ceremony held

PASCAGOULA, Miss – A keel authentication ceremony was held Friday for LHA 6, the newest class of large-deck amphibious assault ships. LHA 6, named America, will replace the Tarawa class and is slated for completion in 2013. Northrop has been working on the ship for about three years, designing it and buying materials. LHA 6 will use many of the same systems designed and built for the recently delivered USS Makin Island. (Source: Mississippi Press, 07/18/09)