The USA's New Amphibious Ships

jofizo · Post time 24-8-2007 05:36 PM

LPD-17 San Antonio Class

LPD-17 San Antonio Class amphibious assault support vessels are a new class of ship which is just entering service with the US Navy. Much like their predecessors, their mission is to embark, transport, land, and support elements of a US Marine Corps Landing Force. What changes are the capabilities and technologies incorporated to perform that mission, including internal technologies as well as accompanying platforms like the V-22 Osprey and Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle.
Navy sources note that the 9 scheduled ships of this class (reduced from 12) are slated to assume the functional duties of up to 41 previous ships. These include the USA's older LSD-36 USS Anchorage Class dock landing ships (all decommissioned as of 2004, LSD-36 and LSD-38 transferred to Taiwan) and its LPD-4 USS Austin Class ships (12 built and serving, LPD 14 Trenton now India's INS Jalashva). The San Antonio Class ships may also replace 2 classes of ships currently mothballed and held in reserve status under the Amphibious Lift Enhancement Program (ALEP): the LST-1179 Newport Class tank landing ships, and LKA-113 Charleston Class amphibious cargo ships.

The San Antonio Class has had its share of teething problems, and so has the New Orleans shipyard to which most of this contract has been assigned. This is not uncommon in new ship classes, but it does bear noting. This is DID's FOCUS Article for the San Antonio Class, detailing the ships' unique features and capabilities as well as its program innovations and issues. We'll also include an updated list of related contracts awarded throughout the program's history. As has become DID custom, the most recent additions are highlighted in green type.
Unfortunately, the initial ships have been criticized for sub-standard workmanship, and costs are almost twice the originally promised amounts. The 3rd ship of class, which was built at a different shipyard, recently provided a lone bright spot