WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today praised the award of a $2.4 billion contract modification from the Department of the Navy to Ingalls Shipbuilding to construct LHA 9, a large-deck America-class amphibious assault ship.

“This is excellent news for both the fine shipbuilders at Ingalls and the future of our fleet, and most importantly our national security,” said Wicker, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Amphibious assault ships provide a critical capability to our Navy and Marines and, they are a vital deterrent against China. We will need to keep this momentum going as we work to expand our Navy and keep our country safe in the decades ahead.”

“The talented shipbuilders at Ingalls continue to make impressive headway in their mission to build the next generation of Navy ships,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.  “This modification to the latest contract will ensure Ingalls has what it needs to finish construction of this amphibious assault ship and provide the Navy with another highly effective warship.”

Ingalls announced that with the LHA 9 contract modification, the total value of the award from the Department of the Navy comes to $3.2 billion.

LHA 9’s large deck provides a substantial surface assault capability, allowing the ship to potentially host aircraft such as the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey.

Wicker and Hyde-Smith previously recognized Ingalls last December for securing long-lead time materials for LHA 9.