LHA 6 America Class Amphibious Assault Ship

The LHA 6 America Class Amphibious Assault Ship program is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed by the U.S. Navy through the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. This program involves the design, construction, and lifecycle support of large amphibious assault ships that serve as the centerpiece of amphibious ready groups. The program encompasses multiple vessels, including LHA 6 through LHA 10, with contracts spanning from initial design work through post-delivery support and maintenance.

The majority of contract awards are made by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to Huntington Ingalls Inc. as the primary shipbuilder, with contract values ranging from small support orders of less than $100,000 to major construction contracts exceeding $3 billion. Notable awards include a $3.2 billion contract for LHA 8 detail design and construction, and a $3.1 billion contract for LHA 9 advance procurement. Contract types are predominantly Cost Plus Fixed Fee for support services and Fixed Price Incentive for construction. Common subcontractors include Leonardo DRS, GE Energy Power Conversion, and various specialized ship systems suppliers. The primary place of performance is Pascagoula, Mississippi, where Huntington Ingalls' shipyard is located. The program generally does not utilize small business set-asides for major contracts. Support services include engineering, maintenance, modernization, and various technical services, typically awarded through delivery orders under various IDIQ contracts including SeaPort-e and SeaPort-NXG.