| LCAC series | |
| Displacement | 200 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 88 x 47 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 2 - M-60 MG |
| Machinery | 4 Avco-Lycoming gas turbines; b.h.p.: 12,280 = 40+ kts. (with payload) 2 shrouded reversible-pitch propellers; 4 double-entry fans for lift |
| Range | 200 miles at 40 knots with payload |
| Cargo capacity | 60 tons/75 ton overload |
| Complement | 5 |
| Builder(s) | Textron Marine Systems/Lockheed |
| Notes |
MISSION: Transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel
of the assault elements of the Marine Air/Ground Task Force both
from ship to shore and across the beach. COMMENTARY: The landing craft air cushion (LCAC) is a fully amphibious air cushion vehicle capable of operating from existing and planned well deck ships. Forty-eight air-cushion landing craft were authorized and appropriated through FY 89. All are under contract with 16 of these craft delivered. Lockheed Shipbuilding Company was competitively selected as a second source. The FY 1990 budget request includes $219.3 million for nine craft. The FY 1991 request includes full funding for 12 LCACs and advance procurement in support of the FY 1992 program (nine craft). |
| BLUE RIDGE Class (LCC-19): LCCs 19 - 20 | |
| Displacement | 19,000 tons (full load) |
| Dimensions | 620 x 82 x ?? feet |
| Machinery | 2 - boilers; 1 - geared turbine; 1 shaft; s.h.p.: 22,000 = 23 kts. |
| Aircraft | Utility helicopter can be carried |
| Complement | ship's company: 720 (40 officers, 680 enlisted) |
| Builder(s) | Philadelphia Naval Shipyard; LCC-19 Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co.; LCC-20 |
| Notes |
MISSION: To provide amphibious command and control in major
amphibious operations. COMMENTARY: These are the only ships to be designed initially for an amphibious command ship role. Earlier amphibious command ships lacked sufficient speed to operate with a 20-knot amphibious force. Subsequently, both ships became fleet flagships. USS Blue Ridge became the Seventh Fleet flagship in 1979. USS Mount Whitney became the Second Fleet flagship in 1981. Units as of 1994: BLUE RIDGE Class ships: USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19); Yokosuka, Japan USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20); Norfolk, VA |
| RALEIGH Class (LPD-1); LPDs 1 - 2 | |
| Displacement | 13,600 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 522 x 84 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 6 - 3inch/50-caliber guns |
| Machinery | 2 boilers; 2 steam turbines; 2 shafts; s.h.p.: 24,000 = 21 kts. |
| Aircraft | Landing only |
| Complement | ship's company 429; troops 930 |
| Builder(s) | New York Naval Shipyard |
| AUSTIN Class (LPD-4); LPDs 4 - 15 | |
| Displacement | approximately 17,000 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 570 x 84 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 4 - 3inch/50-caliber guns 2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS to be fitted |
| Machinery | 2 boilers; 2 steam turbines; 2 shafts; s.h.p.: 24,000 = 21 kts. |
| Aircraft | Up to 6 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters |
| Complement | ship's company 425; troops 900 |
| Builder(s) | New York Naval Shipyard; LPDs 4 - 6 Ingalls Shipbuilding; LPDs 7 - 8 Lockheed Shipbuilding; LPDs 9, 10, 12 - 15 |
| Notes |
MISSION: Transport and land
Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked landing craft or
amphibious vehicles augmented by helicopters in amphibious assault. COMMENTARY: These versatile ships replace amphibious transports (APA), amphibious cargo ships (AKA) and the older LSDs. Although their capabilities are less than those of the new LSD-41 class, the ships of the Austin class, built between 1965-1971, were considered sufficiently modern to have their service lives extended, and the Navy had planned to inaugurate a SLEP program for all 11 of them commencing in early 1988. Their modernization could have extended their service lives to 2005. However, advanced funding for the program was not authorized in the FY 1987 budget. UNITS as of 1994: RALEIGH Class ships: USS Raleigh (LPD-1); Norfolk, VA USS Vancouver (LPD-2); San Diego, CA AUSTIN Class ships(11): USS Austin (LPD-4); Norfolk, Va. USS Dubuque (LPD-8); Sasebo, Japan USS Denver (LPD-9); San Diego, Calif. USS Ponce (LPD-15); Norfolk, VA |
| IWO JIMA Class (LPH-2); LPHs 2 - 12 | |
| Displacement | 18,000 tons (full load) |
| Dimensions | 602 x 84 x ?? feet Flight Deck Width: 104 feet |
| Armament | 2 - 8 cell NATO Sea Sparrow launchers* 4 - 3inch/50-cal (2 - twin barrel guns) 2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS |
| Machinery | 2 Boilers; 1 geared turbine; 1 shaft; s.h.p.: 22,000 = 23 kts. |
| Aircraft | 11 - CH-53 Sea Stallions 20 - CH-46 Sea Knights |
| Complement | Ship's company: 685 (47 officer, 638 enlisted); Troops: 2,000 |
| Builder(s) | Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash: LPH-2 Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pa: LPH-3, 7, 9, 11 Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS: LPH-lO, 12 |
| TARAWA Class (LHA-l): LHAs 1 - 5 | |
| Displacement | 39,400 tons (full load) |
| Dimensions | 833 x 106 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 2 - 8 cell NATO Sea Sparrow launchers 3 - 5inch/54-cal MK 45 lightweight gun 1 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS 6 - 20mm MK 67 single barrel AA guns |
| Machinery | 2 Boilers; 2 geared turbines; 2 shafts; s.h.p.: 70,000 = 24 kts. |
| Aircraft | 9 - CH-53 Sea Stallion 12 - Ch-46 Sea Knight 10 - AV-8B Harrier (in LHA 2-5) |
| Complement | Ship's company: 940 (58 officer, 882 enlisted); Troops:1,900+ |
| Builder(s) | Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. |
| WASP Class (LHD-1): LHDs 1 - 4 see note-1 | |
| Displacement | 40,500 tons (full load) |
| Dimensions | 844 x 106 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 2 - 8 cell NATO Sea Sparrowlaunchers 3 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS 8 - .50 cal MG |
| Machinery | 2 Boilers; 2 geared turbines 2 shafts; s.h.p.: 70,000 = 22+ kts. |
| Aircraft | 45 - CH-46 Sea Knight 20 - AV-8B Harrier 6 - ASW helicopters |
| Landing craft | 3 - LCAC |
| Complement | Ship's company:1,081 (98 officer, 983 enlisted); Troops: 1,875 |
| Builder(s) | Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. |
| Notes |
MISSION: Modern U.S. Navy
Amphibious Assault Ships are called upon to perform as primary
landing ships for major portions of the assault echelons of a
Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Expeditionary Brigade. These
ships use Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), conventional landing
craft and helicopters to move Marine assault forces ashore. In a
secondary role using AV-8B Harrier VSTOL aircraft and
anti-submarine warfare helicopters, these ships perform sea control
and limited power projection missions. COMMENTARY: Amphibious warships are uniquely designed to support assault from the sea against defended positions ashore. They must be able to sail in harm's way and provide a rapid build-up of combat power ashore in the face of opposition. The United States maintains the largest and most capable amphibious force in the world. Under the current building program, new ships will further enhance that capability. The Navy's goal is to achieve sufficient amphibious lift to carry the assault echelons of a Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Expeditionary Brigade by the late 1990's. Note - 1: Wasp (LHD-l) is the largest amphibious ship in the world. The lead ship was commissioned in July 1989 in Norfolk, Virginia. Construction on the other ships of the class continues at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Studies are underway to investigate the feasibility of incorporating gas turbine propulsion in LHD-5 in place of the 600 psi boilers. LHD-6 and beyond are intended to replace the LPH class ships. Ships will be procured every other year after 1991. Units as of 1994: IWO JIMA Class ships (7): USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2); Norfolk, Va. USS Inchon (LPH-12); Norfolk, Va. TARAWA Class ships (5): USS Tarawa (LHA-1); San Diego, Calif. USS Peleliu (LHA-5); Long Beach, Ca. WASP Class ships (4): + = under construction/planned/not-commissioned Wasp (LHD-1)+ Boxer (LHD-4) |
| THOMASTON Class (LSD 28): LSDs 28 - 34; see note-1 | |
| Displacement | 11,800 tons (full load) |
| Dimensions | 510 x 84 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 4 - 3 inch / 50 cal MK 33 AA guns(2 twin mounts) |
| Machinery | 2 - 600 psi Boilers; 2 geared turbines; 2 shafts; s.h.p.: 24,000 = 22+ kts. |
| Aircraft | Landing area only |
| Landing craft | 3 - LCU (or) 9 - LCM-8 (or) 50 - AAV/LVTP-7 amphibious tractors |
| Complement | Ship's company: 348 (18 officer, 330 enlisted); Troops: 325 |
| Builder(s) | Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. |
| ANCHORAGE Class (LSD 36): LSDs 36 - 40 | |
| Displacement | 14,000 tons (full load) |
| Dimensions | 553 x 85 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 4 - 3inch/50-cal MK 33 AA guns (2 twin mounts) 2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS |
| Machinery | 2 - 600 psi Boilers; 2 geared turbines; 2 shafts; s.h.p.: 24,000 = 22 kts. |
| Aircraft | Landing area only |
| Landing craft | 3 - LCAC (or) 3 - LCU (or) 9 - LCM (or) 52 - AAV/LVTP-7 amphibious tractor |
| Complement | Ship's company: 358 (18 officer, 340 enlisted); Troops: 330 |
| Builder(s) | Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss: LSD 36 General Dynamics, Quincy, Mass: LSDs 37-40 |
| WHIDBEY ISLAND Class (LSD 41): LSDs 41 - 49; see note-2 | |
| Displacement | 15,704 tons (full load) |
| Dimensions | 609 x 84 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 2 - 25mm machine guns; 2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS |
| Machinery | 4 - Colt Industries, 16 cylinder diesels; 2 shafts; s.h.p.: 33,600 = 20+ kts. |
| Aircraft | Landing area only |
| Landing craft | 4 - LCAC |
| Complement | Ship's company: 342 (21 officer, 321 enlisted) Troops: 500 (including 64 in Assault craft unit) |
| Builder(s) | Lockheed Shipbuilding, Seattle, Wash: LSDs 41-43 Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, La: LSDs 44-48 |
| Notes |
MISSION: Support United States Navy and Marine Corps amphibious
operations including landings via Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC),
conventional landing craft and helicopters, upon a hostile shore. Note-1: Most of the Thomaston class have been decommissioned and placed in inactive reserve status. USS Spiegel Grove (LSD 32), USS Alamo (LSD 33) and USS Hermitage (LSD 34) are scheduled for decommissioning in fiscal year 1990. Note-2: USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) the fourth of eight Whidbey Island class dock landing ships was commissioned in April 1988. All eight ships of the class have been funded and will be commissioned by 1991. This ship will transport and launch amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assault operations. LSD-41 was designed specifically to operate LCAC and, with a capacity of four craft, has the largest capacity for these unique landing craft of any U.S. Navy amphibious platform. It will also provide docking and repair services for LCAC with similar limited capabilities for conventional landing craft. The LSD-41 class is intended to replace the older LSD-28 Thomaston class. In 1987 the Navy requested $324.2 million to fund one LSD-41 (Cargo Variant). The ship will differ from the original LSD-41 by reducing its number of LCACs to two in favor of additional cargo capacity. Present procurement plans provide for the Navy to request one LSD-41(CV) per year through 2000 in order to continue to meet the amphibious lift requirements. UNITS as of 1994: * = decommissioned + = under construction but not commissioned THOMASTON Class ships (8): Thomaston (LSD-28)* USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) Little Creek, Va. USS Alamo (LSD-33); San Diego, Calif. Monticello (LSD-35)* ANCHORAGE Class ships USS Anchorage (LSD-36); Long Beach, Calif. USS Portland (LSD-37); Little Creek, Va. USS Pensacola (LSD-38); Little Creek, Va. USS Mount Vernon (LSD-39); Long Beach, Calif. USS Fort Fisher (LSD-40); San Diego, Calif. WHIDBEY ISLAND Class ships (9): USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41); Little Creek, Va. USS Germantown (LSD-42); San Diego, Calif. Harper's Ferry (LSD-49)+ (to Little Creek, Va.) |
| LSM 1-558 series: | |
| Displacement | 743 tons beaching; 1095 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 196½ (w.l.) 203½ (o.a.) x 34½ x 7½ (max) feet |
| Guns | 2 - 40mm AA |
| Machinery | Diesel; 2 shafts; B.H.P.: 2800 = 12 kts. |
| Complement | ship's company: 59 |
| Notes | |
| LST 1 - 510 series: see note-1 note-3 | |
| Displacement | 1625 tons (2366 tons beaching; 4050 tons full load) |
| Dimensions | 328 (o.a.) x 50 x 14 (max) feet draft unloaded: bow - 2' 4" stern - 7' 6" draft loaded: bow - 8' 2" stern - 14' 1" |
| Armament | 1 - 3inch/.50-cal (after gun mount) 5 - 40mm AA (4/5 single, 1/2 dual mounts(w.c,)); 2/6 - 20mm AA; 2/4 - .50-cal w.c. MG 4 - .30-cal w.c. MG |
| Machinery | main: 2 Diesel; 2 shafts; B.H.P.: 1700 = 10.8 kts. |
| Complement | ship's company: 64 - 119 |
| LST 511 - 1152 series: see note-1 note-3 | |
| Displacement | 1653 tons (2380 tons beaching; 4080 tons full load) |
| Dimensions | 316 (w.l.) 328 (o.a.) x 50 x 14 (max) feet |
| Armament | 7/8 - 40mm AA (4/5 single, 1/2 dual mounts(w.c.)); 2 - 20mm AA; 4 - .50-cal MG |
| Machinery | main: 2 Diesel; 2 shafts; B.H.P./SHP: 1700 = 11 kts. aux.: 3 diesel emer. pump: 1 Hercules diesel |
| Complement | ship's company: 64 - 119 embarked troops: 0 - 147 |
| Landing craft | 2/4 LCVP/LCPL |
| Cargo capacity | 2100 tons |
| Builder(s) | Chicago Bridge and Iron Works; LST 1148 |
| LST 1153 - 1154 series: see note-1 note-2 note-3 | |
| Displacement | 2324 tons (6000 tons full load) |
| Dimensions | 368 (w.l.) 382 (o.a.) x 54 x 14½ (17 max) feet |
| Armament | 2 - 5inch/38-cal.; 4 - 40mm AA |
| Machinery | Geared turbines: 2 shafts: S.H.P.: 6000 = 14 kts. |
| Complement | ship's company: 200+ |
| Landing craft | 4 LCVP |
| NEWPORT Class (LST-1179): LSTs 1179 - 1191 see note-4 | |
| Displacement | 8,450 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 522 x 69 x ?? feet |
| Armament | 4 - 3inch/50-caliber guns 1 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS to be fitted |
| Machinery | 6 diesels; 2 shafts; b.h.p.: 16,000 = 20 kts. |
| Complement | ship's company: 290; troops: 400 |
| Builder(s) | LSTs 1179-1181, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard LSTs 1182-1198, National Steel and Shipbuilding |
| Notes | MISSION: The assigned mission of the tank landing ship (LST) is
to transport and land amphibious vehicles, tanks, combat vehicles
and equipment in amphibious assault. note-1 Ocean tank carriers with bow doors. In WWII, LST-32 was fitted with railway lines on the tank deck to enable her to transport trucks from Sicily to the mainland. Seven LSTs were modified as LSTH for casualty evacuation and treatment of wounded. LST-526 was the only US ship of her type to serve as a aircraft carrier in WWII. Fitted with a plywood flight deck she carried 10 piper cubs and their Army pilots and operated off the west coast of France in 1945. Some British LSTs flew off artillery observation aircraft from their upper decks. After the war, most were stricken from the list of naval vessels. 1 LSTH was reclassified as LST-731 and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. 68 were assigned to MSTS and designated USNS. App. 90 LSTs (all classes) were active into the 1970s. note-2 Both LSTs were built by Boston Navy Yard. USS Talbot County (LST-1153) launched 4/24/47, completed 9/3/47; USS Tallahatchie County (LST-1154) launched 7/19/46, completed 6/9/49. They were the only steam powered LSTs. They carried 4 LCVP and had increased troop accomodation, greater tank, vehicle and cargo capacity and increased arrangements for discharge, compared with "LST 1 - 1152" class. note-3 all LST 1 - 1154 carried 0-4 LCVPs. note-4 Ships of this class are larger and faster than earlier LSTs and are the first to depart from the bow-door design that characterized the workhorses of World War II. The hull form necessary for the attainment of the 20-knot speeds of contemporary amphibious squadrons would not permit bow doors. Accordingly, ships of this class offload cargo and vehicles by means of a 112-foot ramp over their bow. A stern gate also makes possible off-loading amphibious vehicles directly into the water. The 20 ships of this class, all commissioned between June 1969 and August 1972, are the only LSTs remaining in the fleet. LST 1 - 1154 Class: Units as of 1968: USS LST-454 USS LST-542 USS Page County (LST-1076) USS Snohomish County (LST-1126) USS Sumner County (LST-1148) built in 1945, decomissioned/struck/sold to Ecuador in 1977 (see here). NEWPORT Class (LST-1179): Ships (20) as of 1994: USS Newport (LST-1179); Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. USS Fairfax County (LST-1193); Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. USS Barnstable County (LST-1197); Little Creek, Norfolk, Va. USS Racine (LST-1191) (NRF); Long Beach, Calif. |