USS Makin Island (LHD-8)
USS Makin Island (LHD-8), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, will be the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Makin Island, target of the Marine Raiders' attack early on in the United States' involvement in World War II.
Makin Island was laid down on 14 February 2004 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was christened on 19 August 2006, sponsored by Mrs. Silke Hagee, wife of General Michael Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and launched on 15 September 2006. As of late 2008 she is scheduled to be commissioned in Oct. 2009.
The purpose/mission of Makin Island is to embark, deploy, and land elements of a Marine landing force in an Amphibious Assault by helicopters, landing craft, and amphibious vehicles. The secondary/convertible mission for Makin Island is that of sea control and power projection.
Although Makin Island is the eighth ship of the Wasp class, it will feature noteworthy technological advances. Changes from the previous LHD design include: gas turbine main propulsion engines, all-electric auxiliaries, an advanced machinery control system, water mist fire protection systems, and the Navy�s most advanced command and control and combat systems equipment. The gas turbine propulsion plant, with all electric auxiliaries, is a program first for large deck amphibious assault ships and will provide significant savings in manpower and maintenance costs associated with traditional steam-powered amphibious ships.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, US Navy officials announced that several ships under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, had been damaged by the storm, including the USS Makin Island and two Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.
Namesake: Makin Island
Awarded: 19 April 2002
Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding
Laid down: 14 February 2004
Launched: 22 September 2006
Sponsored by: Mrs. Silke Hagee
Christened: 19 August 2006
Commissioned: October 24 2009 (scheduled)
Homeport: San Diego, California
Motto: Gung Ho
Status: Under construction
General characteristics
Class and type: Wasp-class amphibious assault ship
Displacement: 41,335 tons full, 28,333 tons light, 12,821 tons dead
Length: 847 ft (257 m) overall, 778 ft (237 m) waterline
Beam: 110 ft (34 m) extreme, 106 ft (32 m) waterline
Draft: 27 ft (8.2 m) navigational, 28 ft (8.5 m) limit
Installed power: 2 � 35,000 hp gas turbines (GE - LM 2500+) 6 � 4,000 kW diesel generators (Fairbanks Morse Engines)
Propulsion: Two shafts 70,000 shaft horsepower (52 MW) 2 � 16.5 ft diameter controllable pitch propellers (Rolls Royce)
Speed: 20 kn (37 km/h)
Range: 9500+ nmi. (17,600 km) at 20 knots
Boats and landing craft carried: 3 � air cushion landing craft (LCAC) or 39 EFVs
Complement: (typical) Embarked ships company: 102 officers, 78 CPO/SNCO, 1024 crew Embarked Marine detachment: 174 officers, 64 CPO/SNCO, 1449 crew
Armament: 2 � Rolling Airframe Missile launchers, 2 � NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 2 � 20 mm Phalanx CIWS mounts, 4 � 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, 3 � 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns, 1 � ceremonial gun
Aircraft carried: (typical): Assault: 45 � CH-46 helicopters, Sea Control: 5 � AV-8B attack planes, 6 � ASW helicopters