Ingalls Shipbuilding is to accelerate the design of a new U.S. Navy's amphibious warfare ship replacement vessel known as LX(R).

The new ship, which will replace Harpers Ferry- and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships, will use the same hull as the LPD 17 class, or San Antonio-class vessels.

"This acceleration contract is extremely important for a shipbuilding program that is extremely important to this nation," said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. "The LX(R) program will continue a stable, hot production line of talented shipbuilders and a robust supplier base across this country.

"The competitive value that Ingalls brings to design and build these affordable, capable and survivable warships is essential to meet the missions of our Navy-Marine Corps team."

The design acceleration work comes through the exercise pf a $19.1 million option of an earlier contract. Combined with a $13.7 million contract modification awarded on Aug. 26, Ingalls has received a total of $32.8 million for design efforts on the LX(R) program.

Ingalls, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, has delivered 10 LPD 17 ships to the Navy, is currently building the 11th and has received more than $258 million in advance procurement funding for the 12th.