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Huntington Ingalls Industries has christened the newest San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock, Harrisburg (LPD 30), at its Ingalls Shipbuilding division.
“Today is more than just a christening; it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, commitment, and the enduring purpose of the work we do every day at Ingalls,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding president Brian Blanchette. “Like its namesake, Harrisburg – with its rich history of strength, resilience, and leadership – reflects the same qualities as our shipbuilders, whose dedication ensures the Navy and Marine Corps have the advanced ships they need to protect and defend our nation.”
LPD 30 is named after Harrisburg, the capital city of Pennsylvania, in recognition of its rich history and enduring support for the United States military. From its beginnings as a trading outpost, Harrisburg has been instrumental in the nation’s industrial development, playing critical roles during the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution.
The ship’s co-sponsors, Alexandra Curry, a resident of Middletown, Pennsylvania, and the wife of Middletown’s mayor, and Jennifer Díaz, a Philadelphia resident and the wife of Chris Díaz, Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy, were honoured during the ceremony. They officially christened Harrisburg by smashing a bottle of sparkling wine against the ship’s bow.
Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, program executive officer for ships, delivered the keynote address.
“To the sailors and shipbuilders of the future USS Harrisburg, I extend my deepest congratulations,” RADM Anderson said. “Thank you all for the work and sacrifices you have already made, and for everything you will do to bring this ship to life.”
LPD 30 will be the US Navy’s 14th San Antonio Class amphibious transport dock and the first Flight II in the class. Once delivered, the ship will support expeditionary warfare, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions.
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Christopher Mahoney, also spoke during the ceremony.
“When you take America’s greatest shipbuilders, add to them the world’s best sailors, and a few hundred angry Marines, you’ve got USS Harrisburg,” Mahoney said. “This is where America’s amphibious shipbuilding muscle is flexed, and it marks the start of our return, as a Navy-Marine Corps team, to a persistent forward presence to face what I believe to be a generational challenge and contest.”
Ingalls Shipbuilding is the sole provider of LPD 17 San Antonio Class ships and has delivered LPDs 17–29 to date. Currently, Ingalls is constructing two Flight II LPDs, including Harrisburg and Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Pre-construction activities are underway for Philadelphia (LPD 32). In September 2024, the US Navy awarded Ingalls a contract for the construction of three additional San Antonio Class amphibious ships (LPDs 33–35).
