Page 18: of Marine News Magazine (June 2024)

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Column

Naval Shipbuilding

Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) – Seven Wasp-class sions of the World War II ships the Navy used to “Island “big deck” ships, built during the late 1980s into the early Hop” across the Paci? c to defeat Imperial Japan. In its 2000s, capable of carrying similar quantities of Marines FY25 budget request, the defense department asked for and aircraft as the newer America-class ships. almost $270 million to buy the lead ship of this new class,

Landing Platform Dock (LPD) – Twelve San Antonio- designed to ? t between the larger LHA/LHD/LPDs and class ships, the ? rst built in the year 2000. Each carry about the smaller landing craft that deliver Marines ashore. This 700 Marines who go to shore aboard a variety of landing new ship is being designed to support the Corps’ new Ma- craft or inside aircraft that launch from but do not reside rine Littoral Regiments, each of which is expected to need aboard these ships. The 13th and ? nal “Flight I” San An- nine. The Navy could buy between 18 and 35 of them tonio is under construction; the ? rst three Flight II LPDs and, because of their smaller size – despite their new name – redesigned to improve capability and affordability – are that includes the word “medium” – they are not expected being built. If the FY25 budget is approved, construction to count toward the congressional mandate for 31 large of the next three Flight IIs will be authorized. and medium-size amphibs.

Landing Ship Dock (LSD) – Six 1980s-vintage Whid- The Navy’s commitment to a robust amphibious war- bey Island-class and four 1990s vintage Harpers Ferry-class ship construction plan is a strategic necessity in an increas- ships the Navy would like to retire before the end of this ingly complex and contested global landscape, especially decade. Their exact retirement dates will depend on when in the western Paci? c. These versatile vessels are the back- new LPDs are available to relieve them. bone of American power projection, serving as critical as-

The Navy wants to further boost this highly capable sets for humanitarian missions, disaster relief, and national force mix with a ? fth type of amphibious warship: the defense. Investing in a modern and capable amphibious

Landing Ship Medium (LSM), formerly known as the ? eet ensures the Navy’s ability to safeguard vital interests,

Light Amphibious Warship. These are the modern ver- protect allies, and deter potential adversaries.

USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) departs HII’s Ingalls Shipyard to conduct acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico in January 2022.

Dustin Knight / U.S. Navy 18 | MN June 2024