AMPHIBIOUS VESSELS
America class LHA
_The America LHA is a new class of amphibious assault ships designed to meet
the unique requirements of the US Marine Corps (USMC) focusing on
enhanced aviation capabilities. The new ship is a derivative of the
gas-turbine powered LHD 8 assault ship and will replace the LHA 1/TARAWA
class ships in the 21st century. The class will be wider and longer
than the LHD 8 to provide increased vehicle lift, cargo magazine
capacity, better survivability, increased habitability standards and
greater service life margins.
The aviation capabilities will be aimed at the V/STOL F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft which will be the benchmark for the USMC aviation in the decades to come. In addition, the new amphibious assault ship will be capable of performing as the flag ship for an Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) or playing a key role in the maritime pre-positioning force.
The aviation capabilities will be aimed at the V/STOL F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft which will be the benchmark for the USMC aviation in the decades to come. In addition, the new amphibious assault ship will be capable of performing as the flag ship for an Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) or playing a key role in the maritime pre-positioning force.
Wasp class LHD
_The Wasp class is a follow-on from the Tarawa class and its ships share the same basic hull and engineering plant. However, the bridge is two decks lower than the LHAs (Landing Helicopter Amphibious) and the command, control and communications centers are inside the hull where they less easy to disable. To facilitate landing and recovery operations, the ships can ballast some 15 000 tons of sea water for trimming.
Capable of embarking a 2 000-strong marine expeditionary unit, the Wasp class can land its troops on the beach using its own landing craft, or deliver them inland via helicopters (a manoeuvre known as vertical envelopment). Each Wasp class can accommodate up to three LCACs or twelve LCMs in the 81 m x 15.2 m well deck. In total, 61 AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles - the AAV7A1) can be shipped aboard, 40 stowed in the well deck and 21 in the upper vehicle storage area.
Capable of embarking a 2 000-strong marine expeditionary unit, the Wasp class can land its troops on the beach using its own landing craft, or deliver them inland via helicopters (a manoeuvre known as vertical envelopment). Each Wasp class can accommodate up to three LCACs or twelve LCMs in the 81 m x 15.2 m well deck. In total, 61 AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles - the AAV7A1) can be shipped aboard, 40 stowed in the well deck and 21 in the upper vehicle storage area.
San Antonio class LPD
_The LPD 17 San Antonio class ships are a class of highly reliable, warfare capable amphibious transport docks. They incorporate state-of-the-art self-defense capabilities, C4ISR, and reduced radar cross section signatures, as well as reduced operational costs and capability to incorporate technological advances.
The ships will be able to accommodate EFV, formerly AAAV, vehicles, LCAC or LCU landing crafts, and MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft. They will perform as amphibious transports, amphibious cargo ships and landing docks. A flight deck and a well deck have been provided to these ships to support landing craft. Overall, the ships are operated with a 360-man crew comprising officers and enlisted personnel. Its landing force may include 800 Marines and their equipment such as fighting vehicles, landing crafts and rotary-wing aircraft.
The ships will be able to accommodate EFV, formerly AAAV, vehicles, LCAC or LCU landing crafts, and MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft. They will perform as amphibious transports, amphibious cargo ships and landing docks. A flight deck and a well deck have been provided to these ships to support landing craft. Overall, the ships are operated with a 360-man crew comprising officers and enlisted personnel. Its landing force may include 800 Marines and their equipment such as fighting vehicles, landing crafts and rotary-wing aircraft.
LCAC
_Textron's Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) is a revolutionary mean
which US Navy and Marine Corps amphibious forces to access more than 70
percent shorelines. The air cushion can traverse water, snow, marsh,
ice, tundra and sand. Its primary role is transportation of military
cargo and personnel for up to 180 passengers. In addition, it can be
utilized for mine hunting/sweeping and humanitarian relief. LCAC is
combat proven and has been successfully deployed in many scenarios such
as Kuwait, Somalia, Bangladesh, Liberia and Haiti.
LCU-2000
_The Runnymede class large landing craft or LCU 2000 class vessels are operated by the United States Army. They transport rolling and tracked vehicles, containers, and outsized and general cargo from ships offshore to shore, as well as to areas that cannot be reached by oceangoing vessels (coastal, harbor, and intercoastal waterways). It can be self-deployed or transported aboard a float-on/float-off vessel. It is classed for full ocean service and one-man engine room operations and is built to U.S. Coast Guard standards. The vessel can sustain a crew of 2 warrant officers and 11 enlisted personnel for up to 18 days, and 10,000 miles. This class is also equipped with an aft anchor to assist in retracting from the beach.
LCU
_Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) and Landing Craft Utility (CLU) are small craft utilized to transport troops and equipment to the shore during amphibious assault operations. The equipment carried by LCMs and LCUs includes both tracked and wheeled armored vehicles. LCMs have a bow ramp for onload and offload while LCUs have ramps at bow and stern for onload and offload at either end. Dating from World War II, LCUs and LCMs are carried aboard amphibious assault ships to the objective area.
LCUs are larger, heavier and more capable than LCMs. Each LCU is powered by two Detroit Diesel diesel engines rated at 690-shp which allows a maximum speed of 11 knots and carry as many as 170 tons of cargo including troops and equipment. It is fitted with an I-band navigation radar and two 12.7mm guns for self-defense purposes only. Cruising at 8 knots LCUs cover distances of 1,200 miles. LCUs are operated by a crew of 14-man while LCM only need a 5-man crew.
LCUs are larger, heavier and more capable than LCMs. Each LCU is powered by two Detroit Diesel diesel engines rated at 690-shp which allows a maximum speed of 11 knots and carry as many as 170 tons of cargo including troops and equipment. It is fitted with an I-band navigation radar and two 12.7mm guns for self-defense purposes only. Cruising at 8 knots LCUs cover distances of 1,200 miles. LCUs are operated by a crew of 14-man while LCM only need a 5-man crew.