Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) is a Flight I vessel incorporating a number of Flight II design changes. HII
The 13th San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship has completed builder’s sea trials ahead of a spring delivery. The future USS Richard M. McCool Jr (LPD 29) is a transitional ship between Flight I and Flight II versions, with conventional tripod masts instead of the prominent enclosed composite masts of the previous 12 Flight I ships, one of more than 200 design changes. She is also the first LPD to be equipped with the Raytheon AN/SPY-6(V)2 Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar, a smaller rotating version of the new fixed-face radar installed on the latest Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyers. The (V)2 radar will also be fitted to America class LHAs, Nimitz class CVNs and Wasp class LHDs.
All 13 planned Flight II ships are to be built by Ingalls Shipbuilding. They are intended to replace the Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) classes of dock landing ships.