WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., today praised the award of U.S. Navy contract worth $200 million to procure long-lead-material for production in Pascagoula of the Navy’s 12th amphibious transport deck.

The Mississippi lawmakers supported the shipbuilding funding through the FY2015 defense appropriations and authorization process, with Cochran playing a key role in adding an additional $1.0 billion in procurement funding for the LPD 28, a San Antonio (LPD) class vessel favored by the Navy and Marine Corps.  The contract was awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula.

“I am pleased that the Navy has entered into a contract with Huntington-Ingalls for the construction of the LPD-28 amphibious ship,” said Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower. “This contract is not unexpected but fulfills the ship’s authorization and appropriation by Congress last year.  For generations, Mississippi has maintained a proud tradition of producing amphibious ships, which are the ‘Swiss Army Knives’ of the sea.  Sustained production of the next generation of amphibious ships, such as the LPD-28, is critical to the ability of our brave sailors and Marines to defend our nation.”

“With this contract, our Mississippi shipbuilders will continue to play a major role in meeting the readiness challenges facing our Navy,” said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense.  “Their work is essential to carry our goal to address an amphibious lift shortfall and to ensure that our modern Navy is equipped to protect our national security interests.”

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and negotiations between our shipbuilders and the Navy.  Most of all it is a huge step towards giving our Marine Corps the ships they need to accomplish the missions in which we continue to task them,” Palazzo said.  “Our Marine Corps has repeatedly said they are being asked to do more with less, including too few amphibious ships.  Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that we support a strong national defense.  The continuance of the LPD line is a strong indication of a bright and successful future for our men and women in uniform as well as the hard-working men and women of Ingalls.”

The $200 million cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract will support the procurement of long-lead-time material and equipment.  These advance contracts allow the Navy to save taxpayer funds by maintaining production lines.  The San Antonio class ships, which are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide, are a key component of the Navy’s amphibious assault force.

The process of funding the LPD 28 began when the Senate added $263 million to the FY2013 Defense Appropriations Bill for LPD 28 advance procurement funding.  The FY2015 Defense Appropriations Bill provided an additional $1.0 billion for the procurement of LPD 28.

The Senate and House negotiators are currently working to finalize the FY2016 defense appropriations bill, which will determine funding for LPD 28 and other Navy shipbuilding for the current fiscal year.