Assault Ship America, 1st In Class, Launched In Pascagoula, Miss.

Huntington Ingalls Industries in Mississippi has launched the first ship in a new class of amphibious assault vessels.

America (LHA-6) was launched on Monday from the shipbuilder's floating drydock in Pascagoula, Miss., according to a company release.

HII officials note that the class features increased aviation capacity, including an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, a significant increase in available stowage for parts...