U.S. Navy to Commission its Newest Amphibious Transport Named Fort Lauderdale

The U.S Navy is set to commission its newest amphibious transport dock, the future USS Fort Lauderdale at the city of the same name.

The nearly 25,000-ton Fort Lauderdale is 684 feet in length. The ship is powered by four diesel engines which allows it achieve speeds in excess of 22 knots. The ship will have a homeport at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.

The future USS Fort Lauderdale is the 12th San Antonio-class ship. It has been designed to support embarking, transporting, and bringing elements of 650 Marines ashore by landing craft or air-cushion vehicles. The flight deck hangar can support the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. San Antonio-class ships can support a variety of amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions, operating independently or as part of Amphibious Readiness Groups (ARGs), Expeditionary Strike Groups, or joint task forces. These capabilities allow the U.S. Navy to protect America's security abroad, promote regional stability, and preserve future peace.