Modernization and mission improvements will extend USS Bonhomme Richard’s service life By Edward Lundquist Photos by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) is currently at NASSCO Shipyard in San Diego for  a nine-month, $101 million dry-dock planned maintenance availability period.  The repairs to the 844-foot amphibious assault ship will be completed by July 2011. The 40,358-ton Bonhomme Richard is a Wasp-class LHD, built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss., and currently assigned to the Naval Surface Force in the Pacific Fleet.  The first seven ships of this class have two boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 horsepower.  The newest member of the class, USS Makin Island (LHD 8), has two gas turbines and two shafts delivering 70,000 total shaft horsepower, as well as two 5,000 horsepower auxiliary propulsion motors.  Wasp-class LHDs can attain speeds of greate... [More]