Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipyard has launched the second America-class amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), 3 months ahead of schedule, according to company's press release on 3 May. A contract for construction of the second ship was awarded in 2012. The first ship of this class, USS America was launched in 2012 and commissioned in 2014. 

The US Navy plans to replace its aging Tarawa-class ships with its new America-class assault ships, which has an overall length of 257.2m and a displacement of 44,97 tonnes. The hybrid propulsion system provides the vessel a maximum speed of more than 20 knots.