The air arm can further be strengthened by the landing and launching of up to 2 x Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallions, 4 x Boeing CH-46 twin-rotor Sea Knights, 4 x Bell AH-1 SeaCobra attack helicopters and 4 x Bell UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopters. All this supplying the vital air support needed in any amphibious-minded operation.
Defense
The vessel is defensed from potential airborne threats by a pair of Bushmaster II 30mm cannons for close-in work and a pair of RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) launchers for fast-moving short-range targets. One of each is fitted to the fore and aft ends of the ship. The Bushmaster II is a 30mm chain gun produced by Alliant Techsystems, headquartered out of Minnesota, and is based on the 25mm M242 Bushmaster as found on the M2 Bradley. It has since become a standardized weapon system in both American and foreign military vehicles and aircraft. The RAM system is a naval-based lightweight, infra-red homing surface-to-air missile system that entered operational service in 1992. The system is used primarily to fend off incoming enemy anti-ship cruise missiles. Additional close-in support is handled by various Browning M2 12.7mm (.50 caliber) heavy machine gun emplacements mounted fore, aft and along the sides at various deck levels.
USS New York Timeline
The USS New York's construction was awarded to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems on November 25th, 2003. She was laid down on September 10th, 2004 and launched on December 20th, 2007. The vessel was christened on March 1st, 2008, and officially commissioned on November 7th, 2009. She fights under the motto of "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget.". The USS New York has already shown her resilience in 2005, surviving the epic Hurricane Katrina while under construction in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Background Notes
After the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11th, 2001, a formal request was sent from New York State Governor George E. Pataki to the Secretary of the Navy - Gordon England - to christen a US Navy war surface vessel with the name of "New York". As such, LPD-21 was given the name of USS New York and will be followed by the USS Arlington (LPD-24) and USS Somerset (LPD-25) into service to commemorate the victims of the 9/11 attacks at Arlington, Virginia (Pentagon) and Somerset County, Pennsylvania (Flight 93).
CDR F. Curtis Jones of the United States Navy is the USS New York's first commanding officer.
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