Amphibious warfare ships/landing craft

Dock Landing Ship – LSD-41 Whidbey Island Class 

Dock Landing Ship – LSD-49 Harpers Ferry Class 

Amphibious Transport Dock – LPD-17 San Antonio Class 

Amphibious Assault Ship – LHA-6 America Class (landing helicopter assault)

Amphibious Assault Ship – LHD-1 Wasp Class 

Amphibious Command Ship – LCC-19 Blue Ridge Class 

Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) 

Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 

Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1610, 1627, 1646, and 1680 Class 

Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 

which of the ships has the largest capacity for LCACs?

LSD-41

LSD-41 vs LSD-49

the 41 can hold 4 LCACs but the 49 can only hold 2, but the 49 has more vehicle stowage and cargo storage areas

purpose of LPD-17

support mobility triad (LCAC, AAV, MV-22)

largest amphibious ships in the world

Wasp class

LHA vs LHD

• LHD is improved version of LHA

• LHD

  • can carry more helicopters, more LCACs

  • more storage capacity

purpose of amphibious command ship - LCC-19 blue ridge class

command ship for joint task force as command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence platform

responsibility of AAVs

spearhead beach assault (ship to shore)

ACV’s vs AAV

• ACV: replacing AAV

  • increased land speed

  • increased range

  • reduced personnel capacity (13 v 21)

  • better comms and weaponry

LCU mission

land heavy vehicles, equipment, personnel, and cargo

LCU vs LCAC

• LCU: less versatile, “home away from home” (beds, washers onboard etc.)

LCAC characteristics

• high speed

• over the beach landing craft

• transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo, personnel