This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2019) |
![]() USS Essex in the Arabian Sea in September 2021
| |
History | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Name | Essex |
Namesake | USS Essex (CV-9) |
Ordered | 10 September 1986 |
Builder | Ingalls Shipbuilding |
Laid down | 20 March 1989 |
Launched | 23 February 1991 |
Commissioned | 17 October 1992 |
Homeport | San Diego |
Identification |
|
Motto | Take Notice |
Nickname(s) | The Iron Gator |
Status | in active service |
Badge | ![]() |
General characteristics | |
Type | Wasp-class amphibious assault ship |
Displacement | 40,500 long tons (41,150 t) full load |
Length | 844.0 ft (257.25 m) |
Beam | 106 ft (32.3 m) |
Draft | 27 ft (8.1 m) |
Propulsion | Two boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 shp (52,000 kW); |
Speed | 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) |
Range | 9,500 nautical miles (17,600 km; 10,900 mi) at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
Well deck dimensions: | 266-by-50-foot (81 by 15.2 m) by 28-foot (8.5 m) high |
Boats & landing craft carried | |
Troops | 1,687 troops (plus 184 surge) Marine Detachment |
Complement | 1,208 |
Sensors and processing systems | |
Armament |
|
Aircraft carried |
|
USS Essex (LHD-2) is a Wasp-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) in service with the United States Navy. The amphibious assault ship was built at what is now Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was launched 23 February 1991 and commissioned on 17 October 1992 while moored at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island. She is the fifth ship named for Essex County, Massachusetts. Essex served as the command ship for Expeditionary Strike Group Seven until replaced by USS Bonhomme Richard on 23 April 2012.[2]