List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships

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Template:Short description

File:US Navy 111010-N-KD852-492 The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), front, the amphibious assault ship Makin Island USS Makin Is.jpg
Three US amphibious warfare ships in 2011 - the Landing Helicopter Dock Template:USS leading the Landing Platform Dock Template:USS, rear, and the Landing Ship Dock Template:USS, fore

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This is a list of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships. This type of ship has been in use with the US Navy since World War I.

Ship status is indicated as either currently active [A] (including ready reserve), inactive [I], or precommissioning [P]. Ships in the inactive category include only ships in the inactive reserve, ships which have been disposed from US service have no listed status. Ships in the precommissioning category include ships under construction or on order.

Historical overview

There have been four generations of amphibious warfare ships, with each generation having more capability than the previous:

  • The first generation simply landed troops and equipment ashore with standard (i.e., non-specialized) boats and barges. These ships are not listed in this article since they were indistinguishable from the troopships and other surface combatants of their day, and as such were not assigned specialized hull classification symbols.
  • The second generation was designed during World War II to land personnel and vehicles ashore, either directly or via carried specialized landing craft.
  • The third generation was designed beginning in the 1950s to use helicopters for amphibious operations, with the result that such operations were no longer limited to beaches.
  • The fourth generation was designed beginning in the 1980s to use hovercraft (Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) specifically), with the result that the numbers and types of beaches which could be accessed dramatically increased.

World War II

Template:See also During the naval build-up for World War II, almost 200 Maritime Commission (MARCOM) standard designs were converted to US Navy amphibious warfare ships. In the Cold War these and newer standard designs were built under MARCOM's successor agency, the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD):

In the following lists MARCOM types are abbreviated as 'MC type' and MARAD as 'MA type'; 'MC types' became 'MA types' in 1950.

Postwar

The first amphibious warfare ships had a top speed of 12 to 17 knots. With the appearance of higher speed submarines at the end of World War II, the US Navy decided that all new amphibious warfare ships would have to have a minimum speed of Template:Convert to increase their chances of survival. The High Speed Transport destroyer conversions (APD/LPR), the Landing Platform Docks (LPD), and all new ships with a full flight deck (LPH, LHA, LHD) would meet this criterion. The other major types would see relatively small numbers of new ships constructed with this 20 knot requirement, with the last appearing in 1969.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 311-345</ref>

Classifications

Amphibious warfare ships were considered by the US Navy to be auxiliaries and were classed with hull classification symbols beginning with 'A' until 1942. Many ships were reclassed at that time as landing ships and received new hull symbols beginning with 'L'; others would retain 'A' hull symbols until 1969 and then receive 'L' symbols. This article pairs the two lists of what are the same ships, with each 'L' list preceding the respective 'A' list. Littoral Combat Ships also use 'L' hull symbols but are not solely intended for amphibious warfare.

In 2015 the US Navy created new hull classification symbols that began with an 'E' to designate 'expeditionary' vessels. Expeditionary vessels are designed to support low-intensity missions, allowing more expensive, high-value amphibious warfare ships to be re-tasked for more demanding missions. Most of these ships are not commissioned warships, but rather are operated by the Military Sealift Command.<ref name=USNprogramGuide2013>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Amphibious assault ship (General Purpose) (LHA)

File:US Navy 020628-N-3228G-002 USS Tarawa (LHA 1).jpg
USS Tarawa (LHA 1)
File:USS America (LHA-6) off Rio de Janeiro in August 2014.JPG
USS America (LHA-6)

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Template:Sclass

The Tarawa-class LHA was the first to combine the features of the well deck of the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) or Landing Platform Dock (LPD) and the full flight deck of the Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) into one ship. Though not designed to carry Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)s, they could accommodate one in their well decks.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 370-372</ref>

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The America-class LHA would be a follow-on to the Wasp-class LHD. The first two ships, America and Tripoli, would not have a well deck, so as to dedicate more space to the support of air operations. This was criticized as a repeat of the mistakes of the LPH concept, and so it was decided that Bougainville and all future ships of this class would have a well deck.<ref name=Jean>Template:Cite news</ref>

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=USNI_20240924>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Div col end

Amphibious assault ship (multi-purpose) (LHD)

File:USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) underway in the Gulf of Mexico, circa in early 1998 (NH 107664-KN).jpg
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)

Template:See

Template:Sclass

The well deck of the Tarawa-class LHA was not designed to accommodate the LCAC, which came into service just six years after the last of that class was completed. The Wasp-class LHD and the later units of the America-class LHA were designed to be LCAC compatible; the Wasp-class could carry 3 LCACs.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 448-449</ref>

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> pierside fire<ref name=USNI_lost>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH)

File:Port bow view of USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) 1979.jpg
USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2)
File:Uss princeton lph-5.jpg
USS Princeton (LPH-5)
File:USS Thetis Bay (LPH-6) c1963.jpeg
Thetis Bay (LPH-6)

Template:See

The Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) would be the first ships to operate helicopters for large scale air assault behind beaches. One major defect of the LPH concept was that these ships did not carry landing craft to disembark Marines when weather or hostile anti-aircraft systems grounded helicopters; only Inchon would be modified to carry two landing craft. In such situations the LPH would be reliant on landing craft supplied by other ships, which proved awkward in practice. This defect would drive the design of the Tarawa-class LHA, in effect a LPH with a well deck.<ref name="Friedman 2002, pp 357-358">Friedman, 2002, pp 357-358, 370-372</ref>

Template:Sclass: MC type T3

  • Template:USS, ex-CVE-106, conversion under project SCB 159 canceled<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 355-356</ref>


Template:Sclass

As the 'definitive' LPH design under project SCB 157, the Iwo Jima class would be the only class to be built as such, with sufficient 'hotel' accommodations for the embarked Marines. All other LPH ships would be conversions of aircraft carriers, and so had accommodation deficiencies (for example, some Marine units could not bunk together, and water evaporation was insufficient to allow all personnel showers within a 24 hour period).<ref name="Friedman 2002, pp 357-358"/>
After their retirement as amphibious warfare ships, one (Inchon) would be converted to carry minesweeping helicopters as a mine countermeasures support ship (MCS). All of these ships would be scrapped or sunk as targets by 2018.

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The following LPH ships were converted Essex class aircraft carriers, due to budget constraints with the construction of the Iwo Jima class ships.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 359-363</ref>


Template:Sclass: MC type S4-S2-BB3

Thetis Bay was a converted Casablanca class escort carrier. Under the hull designation CVHA-1, she was the prototype for the LPH concept.<ref>Friedman, 2002, p 350</ref>

Landing Platform Dock (LPD)

File:USS Raleigh (LPD-1) underway in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on 1 February 1963 (NH 107694).jpg
USS Raleigh (LPD-1)
File:USS Austin (LPD-4) underway in 1982.JPEG
USS Austin (LPD-4)
File:USS Dubuque (LPD-8) underway on 1 November 1991 (6475703).jpg
USS Dubuque (LPD-8), note temporary telescoping helicopter hangar
File:USS Trenton LPD-14 fleetweek2004.jpg
USS Trenton (LPD-14)
File:LPD-17 Class.jpg
USS San Antonio (LPD-17)

Template:See

The Landing Platform Dock (LPD) concept began as a compromise design, an attempt to build a ship with much more capability than a Landing Ship Dock (LSD) - the LPD superficially resembles an LSD with an enlarged flight deck - but without the expense of a LPH. The well deck is smaller than that of an LSD. The Raleigh and Austin classes could be fitted with a temporary telescoping helicopter hangar.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 364-365</ref>

Several of these ships were built with space dedicated for command capabilities. Two of these, La Salle and Coronado, would be redesignated as auxiliary command ships (AGF).

The Raleigh class would be designed under project SBC 187 (La Salle under SBC 187A) and the Austin class under SBC 187B.

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Template:Div col end Austin class (Cleveland subclass) Template:Div col

Template:Div col end Austin class (Trenton subclass) Template:Div col

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The San Antonio-class were the first LPDs designed to accommodate Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC); two could be carried. They were also the first LPDs to be built with a permanent helicopter hangar.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 458-463</ref>

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  • Template:USS [P]<ref name=USNI_20220728 /><ref name=USNI_20240924 />
  • (LPD-34) [P]<ref name=USNI_20240924 />
  • (LPD-35) [P]<ref name=USNI_20240924 />

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Landing Ship Dock (LSD)

File:USS Ashland;10120107.jpg
USS Ashland (LSD-1)
File:USS Casa Grande (LSD-13) at Hampton Roads 1951.jpg
USS Casa Grande (LSD-13)
File:USS Thomaston;10122801.jpg
USS Thomaston (LSD-28)
File:USS Anchorage (LSD-36) running trials in 1969.jpg
USS Anchorage (LSD-36)
File:USS Whidbey Island001.jpg
USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41)
File:USS Harpers Ferry Gulf of Thailand 2008.jpg
USS Harper's Ferry (LSD-49)

Template:See

The LSD came as a result of a British requirement during World War II for a vessel that could carry large landing craft across the seas at speed. The design was developed and built in the US for the Royal Navy and the US Navy, with the US Navy originally classifying these ships as Mechanized artillery transports (APM), then changing them to LSDs. The first LSDs could carry 36 Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) at Template:Convert in a flooding well deck, the first ships with this capability. Late in the war they were modified with the addition of a temporary superdeck over the well deck; this could carry vehicles, support helicopter operations, or be removed for outsized cargo.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 127-131</ref>

In December 2020 the U.S. Navy's Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels stated that it was planned that all LSDs would be placed Out of Commission in Reserve by 2027.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=Dominic/>

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  • USS Fort Snelling (LSD-23), canceled, sold for commercial service, later reacquired and converted to Template:USNS
  • USS Point Defiance (LSD-24), canceled
  • Template:USS, Operation Crossroads participant <ref name=DNA_Bikini/>
  • Template:USS
  • Template:USS

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The Thomaston class, designed under project SCB 75, would be the first class of LSDs capable of 20 knots.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 329-331</ref>

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  • Template:USS<ref name=MARAD_201109>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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The Anchorage class, designed under project SCB 404, was basically the Thomaston class with the well deck enlarged (49 feet longer and 2 feet wider) to accommodate the new larger LCU-1610 class. They would later be modified to carry up to 3 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC).<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 331-334</ref>

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The Whidbey Island-class were the first LSDs designed to accommodate LCACs - up to 5 could be carried - and the first in which the helicopter deck would not be removable.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 440-442</ref>

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The Harpers Ferry-class is basically the Whidbey Island-class with more cargo capacity at the expense of a shorter well deck which could carry 2 LCACs.<ref>Friedman, 2002, p 448</ref>

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Mechanized artillery transports (APM)

The APM hull classification was short-lived; it was changed to Landing Ship Dock (LSD).<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 129-130</ref> Template:Div col

  • USS Ashland (APM-1)
  • USS Belle Grove (APM-2)
  • USS Carter Hall (APM-3)
  • USS Epping Forest (APM-4)
  • USS Gunston Hall (APM-5)
  • USS Lindenwald (APM-6)
  • USS Oak Hill (APM-7)
  • USS White Marsh (APM-8)
  • USS Lakehurst (APM-9)

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Amphibious command ship (LCC)

File:USS Mount McKinley (AGC-7) underway in early 1960s.jpg
USS Mount McKinley (LCC-7)
File:USS Taconic (AGC-17) underway in 1964.jpg
USS Taconic (LCC-17)
File:Blue Ridge 2012.jpg
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)

Template:See

All Amphibious force flagships (AGC) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious Command Ships (LCC), which should not be confused with the World War II era Landing craft, control (LCC).

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The Blue Ridge-class would be the only amphibious command ships purposely built as such by the US Navy, and the first and only class capable of exceeding 20 knots. Their hulls were based on the Iwo Jima-class Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) design due to the need for flat deck space for multiple antennas. After the retirement of the fleet flagships [cruisers] (see also Template:Slink) these ships would be pressed into that role despite their lack of speed relative to carrier strike groups.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 428-431</ref>

Amphibious force flagship (AGC)

File:AnconAGC4.jpg
USS Ancon (AGC-4)
File:USS Catoctin (AGC-5) off Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1944.jpg
USS Catoctin (AGC-5)
File:USS Biscayne (AVP-11).jpg
USS Biscayne (AGC-18)

Template:See

All Amphibious Force Flagships (AGC) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious command ships (LCC).

Template:Sclass: MC type C2-S-B1


Troop transport conversion


Coast Guard cutter conversions


Template:Sclass: MC type C2-S-AJ1


Template:Sclass

  • Template:USS
  • USS Pocono (AGC-16), later LCC-16
  • USS Taconic (AGC-17), later LCC-17


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Presidential yacht (never used as a true AGC)

Amphibious cargo ship (LKA)

File:USSLibra.jpg
USS Libra (LKA-12)
File:USS Thuban (AKA-19), in 1963 (L45-281.02.01).jpg
USS Thuban (LKA-19)
File:USSRankin.jpg
USS Rankin (LKA-103)
File:USS Tulare (AKA-112) underway off San Francisco, California (USA), on 8 December 1955 (6931994).jpg
USS Tulare (LKA-112)
File:USS Charleston (LKA-113) underway 1987.JPEG
USS Charleston (LKA-113)

Template:See All Attack cargo ships (AKA) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious Cargo Ships (LKA).

Arcturus class


Template:Sclass: MA type C2 Template:Div col

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Template:Sclass: MA type C2-S-AJ3 Template:Div col

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Tulare class: MA type C4-S-1A

The Tulare would be the first AKA/LKA capable of 20 knots<ref name="Friedman, 2002, pp 313-325">Friedman, 2002, pp 313-325</ref>


Template:Sclass: MA type C4-S-1A Template:Div col

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Attack cargo ship (AKA)

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The Attack Cargo Ship (AKA) hull symbol was introduced on 1 February 1943; all AKA ships remaining in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious cargo ships (LKA).


Template:Sclass: MC type C2 Template:Div col

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Template:Sclass: MC type S4-SE2-BD1

The Artemis class was deliberately smaller than other classes of attack cargo ships, to reduce the risks of having too many troops and large quantities of cargo in a single hull. After WW2 most were quickly disposed of as uneconomical.

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Andromeda class: MC type C2 Template:Div col

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Template:Sclass: MC Type C2-S-AJ3 Template:Div col

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Andromeda class: MC type C2 Template:Div col

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Tolland class: MC type C2-S-AJ3 Template:Div col

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Andromeda class: MC type C2 Template:Div col

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The Tulare and the Charleston class would be the only AKA/LKAs capable of 20 knots.<ref name="Friedman, 2002, pp 313-325"/>


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Amphibious transport (LPA)

File:USS Chilton (APA-38) at anchor, circa in the 1950s (L45-51.02.01).jpg
USS Chilton (LPA-38)
File:USS Clinton (APA-144) underway, circa in early 1945.jpg
USS Clinton (LPA-144)
File:USSFrancisMarionAPA249.png
USS Francis Marion (LPA-249)

Template:See All Attack transports (APA) in service in 1969 were reclassed as Amphibious Transports (LPA), hull numbers were unchanged.

Template:Sclass: MA type C3-S-A2


Template:Sclass: MA type VC2-S-AP5 Template:Div col

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Template:Sclass: MA type C4-S-1A

The Paul Revere class would be the first and only class of APA/LPA capable of 20 knots.<ref name="Friedman, 2002, pp 325">Friedman, 2002, pp 325</ref>

Attack transport (APA)

Template:See

Two transports with the hull symbol AP, Template:USS and Template:USS, had been configured as attack transports but were sunk in 1942 before the introduction of the APA hull symbol on 1 February 1943.

All attack transports (APA) in service in 1969 were reclassified as amphibious transports (LPA).


Template:Sclass: MC type P1-S2-L2


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Harry Lee class


Doyen class: MC type P1-S2-L2


Harris class Template:Div col

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Template:Sclass: MC type C3-A, C3-P or C3-P&C


Template:Sclass: MC type C3-P or C3-Delta


Joseph Hewes class


John Penn class


Edward Rutledge class


Template:Sclass: MC type C3-P&C


Crescent City class: MC type C3-P or C3-Delta


President Jackson class: MC type C3-A, C3-P or C3-P&C


Crescent City class: MC type C3-P or C3-Delta


Template:Sclass: MC type C3-S-A2 Template:Div col

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Template:Sclass: MC type C2-S-B1


Template:Sclass: MC type C2-S-E1


Template:Sclass: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2


Template:Sclass: MC type S4-SE2-BD1

The Gilliams were deliberately smaller than other classes of attack transports, to reduce the risks of having too many troops and large quantities of cargo in a single hull. After WW2 they were quickly disposed of as uneconomical.

Template:Div col

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Template:Sclass: MC type C3-S-A1


Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2


Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2


Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2


Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2


Sumter class: MC type C2-S-E1


Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2


Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2


Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2


Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2


Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2


Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2


Windsor class: MC type C3-S-A1, C3-S-A3, or C3-S-A2


Bayfield class: MC type C3-S-A2


Template:Sclass: MC type VC2-S-AP5 Template:Div col

APA-181 to APA-186, all unnamed, canceled, 1944
(* cancelled in 1945)

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Template:Sclass: MA type C4-S-1A

The Paul Revere class would be the first and only class of APA/LPA capable of 20 knots.<ref name="Friedman, 2002, pp 325"/>

Amphibious transport, small (LPR)

File:USS Barber (APD-57) underway, circa in 1945.jpg
USS Barber (LPR-57)
File:USS Kirwin (APD-90).jpg
USS Kirwin (LPR-90)

Template:See In 1969 the remaining destroyer escorts which had been converted into High-speed transports (APD)s were reclassified as Amphibious transports, small (LPR)s.

Charles Lawrence class Template:Div col

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High-speed transport (APD)

Template:See High-speed Transports (APD) were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts; they received the US hull classification symbol APD: "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer. In 1969, the remaining ships were reclassified as Amphibious transport, small (LPR). This classification is not to be confused with hull code "HST", also for "High Speed Transport", currently assigned only to experimental high-speed catamaran designs, and high-speed catamarans chartered from private ferry companies.


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Wickes-class Template:Div col

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Clemson-class


Wickes-class Template:Div col

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Clemson-class Template:Div col

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Wickes-class


Clemson-class Template:Div col

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Charles Lawrence class Template:Div col

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Transport submarine (LPSS)

File:USS Grayback DN-ST-86-01652.jpg
USS Grayback (LPSS-574)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Transport submarine (APS, ASSP, APSS)

File:USS Perch (ASSP-313).jpg
USS Perch (ASSP-313)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

  • USS Argonaut (APS-1), ex-SM-1, sunk by Japanese destroyers off Rabaul on 10 January 1943, 102 killed
  • USS Tunny (APSS-282), ex-SS-282, SSG-282, later LPSS-282
  • USS Perch (APSS-313), ex-SS-313, SSP-313, ASSP-313, later LPSS-313
  • USS Sealion (APSS-315), ex-SS-315, SSP-315, ASSP-315, later LPSS-315
  • USS Grayback (APSS-574), ex-SS-574, SSG-574, later LPSS-574

Inshore fire support ship (LFR)

File:USS Carronade (IFS-1) underway at sea, circa in the 1950s.jpg
USS Carronade LFR-1

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Landing craft air cushion (LCAC)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See Template:See also

Landing craft, control (LCC)

Not to be confused with the later Amphibious command ship (LCC).

During World War II a number of small boats were built to direct the movements of landing craft as they approached beaches. These were 56 feet in length, displaced 30 tons, and ran 13-16 knots in speed. They were equipped with multiple radios and SO radar (the same radar as on PT boats). During the invasion of southern France they were used to control drone minesweepers.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 278-283</ref>

Landing craft infantry (LCI)

The United States Navy built 932 Landing Craft Infantry ships in World War II. {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM)

The United States Navy built 11,144 landing craft Motorized, designated Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM) in World War II.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:See

Landing craft support (large) (Mark 3), a.k.a. LCS(L)(3)

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Landing craft tank (LCT)

The United States Navy built 1,394 landing craft tank, designated Landing Craft Tank (LCT) in World War II. Those that were still in use in 1949 were redesignated as Landing Craft, Utility. Template:See

Landing craft utility (LCU)

The United States Navy built the LCU 1466, 1610 and 1627 classes after World War II.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 390</ref> Seventy old LCUs (likely ex-LCTs) were retired from amphibious duties and reclassified as Harbor utility craft (YFU). Template:See

Landing ship medium (LSM)

Towards the end of World War II the United States Navy built 558 Landing Ship Medium (LSM) type vessels across three classes. They were originally designed under the classification Landing Craft Tank - Mark 7 but were reclassified after exceeding 200 feet in length. {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

As of February 2023 the US Marine Corps has proposed the purchase of 18 to 35 modern LSMs; this LSM concept was previously known as the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW).<ref name=USNI_20230214>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=USNI_20230222>Template:Cite news</ref>

Landing ship, tank (LST)

File:De Soto County LST-1171.jpg
USS De Soto County (LST-1171)
File:USS Newport (LST-1179) at Rota 1982.jpg
USS Newport (LST-1179)

The United States Navy built nearly 1,200 tank landing ships, classified as "Landing Ship, Tank" or "LST", from the World War II-era up through the early 1970s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Newport class, which entered service in 1969, would be the last class built and the only class capable of exceeding 20 knots. The 1987 introduction of Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) — which allowed for over-the-horizon amphibious landings onto a far larger number of beaches — made LSTs obsolete, but they remained with the fleet for another decade because they were the only means by which the hundreds of thousands of gallons of motor vehicle fuel needed by a Marine Expeditionary Force could be landed. Only the development of tankers with the Offshore Petroleum Discharge System (OPDS) and the later development of special fuel bladders which gave the LCACs a tanker capability allowed for their retirement.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 339–344</ref> {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Landing ship, tank, hospital (LSTH)

Template:See

Atlantic tank landing ship (ATL)

The ATL hull classification was short-lived; it was changed to Landing Ship Tank (LST).<ref>Friedman, 2002, p 117</ref>

  • USS ATL-1, later USS LST-1

Vehicle landing ship (LSV)

File:Montauk LSV-6.jpg
USS Montauk (LSV-6)
File:Comet T-AK-269.jpg
USNS Comet (T-AK-269)

The World War II LSVs were converted from surplus minelayers (CM) and netlayers (AN) into ships which could carry and launch amphibious vehicles.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 178-182</ref> After the war most were slated to become mine countermeasures support ships (MCS), but only two were actually converted. Template:See

The post-WW2 LSVs were among the first roll-on/roll-off cargo ships.<ref>Friedman, 2002, pp 468-470</ref>

Patrol craft, control (PCC)

File:USS PC-598 at Humboldt Bay, New Guinea - October, 1944.jpg
USS PCC-598

Thirty-five Template:Sclasss were converted into amphibious landing control vessel during World War II and reclassified as Patrol Craft, Control after the war. Extra personnel (eight radiomen, two signalmen, one quartermaster and two communications officers), accommodations and improved radar and communications equipment were added. PCs proved exceptionally adept as Control Vessels, guiding waves of landing craft during numerous amphibious landings in the European and Pacific Theaters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Div col

  • PCC-549, ex-PC-549
  • PCC-555, ex-PC-555
  • PCC-563, ex-PC-563
  • PCC-578, ex-PC-578
  • USS Lenoir (PCC-582), ex-PC-582
  • USS Houghton (PCC-588), ex-PC-588
  • USS Metropolis (PCC-589), ex-PC-589
  • PCC-598, ex-PC-598
  • PCC-802, ex-PC-802, later to Republic of Korea as Sam Gak San (PC-703)
  • PCC-803, ex-PC-803
  • PCC-1136, ex-PC-1136
  • PCC-1137, ex-PC-1137
  • USS Escandido (PCC-1169), ex-PC-1169
  • USS Guymon (PCC-1177), ex-PC-1177
  • USS Kewaunee (PCC-1178), ex-PC-1178
  • USS Martinez (PCC-1244), ex-PC-1244
  • USS Ukiah (PCC-1251), ex-PC-1251

Template:Div col end

Patrol craft sweeper, control (PCSC)

Thirteen Patrol Craft Sweepers (which were built on 134-foot Template:Sclass hulls) were converted into amphibious landing control vessel during World War II and reclassified as Patrol Craft Sweeper, Control.<ref>Friedman, Small Combatants, pp. 91-93</ref> Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

Expeditionary medical ship (EMS)

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Expeditionary fast transport (EPF)

File:The joint high speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) departs from Puerto Castilla, Honduras, Sept 140902-N-XQ474-001 (cropped).jpg
USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1)

Template:See

Template:Sclass Template:Div col

  • Template:USNS [I]<ref name=USNI_20250917>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:Div col end

In January 2023, the Navy announced that three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) had been approved in the 2023 military budget.<ref name="ems1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> By May 2023 the three ships had been officially reclassified from EPF to EMS.<ref name=USNI_20230515>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

Expeditionary mobile base (ESB)

File:USNS Lewis B. Puller departs Naval Station Norfolk. (35725832041).jpg
USS Lewis B. Puller ESB-3

Template:See

Template:Sclass

Note there is no ESB-1 or ESB-2, the ESB and ESD hulls have one sequence.

Afloat forward staging base (AFSB)

The Afloat forward staging base (AFSB) was reclassified as the Expeditionary mobile base (ESB) on 4 September 2015.

  • Template:USS, ex-LPD-15
  • USS Lewis B. Puller (AFSB-1), ex-MLP-3, later ESB-3

Expeditionary transfer dock (ESD)

File:USNS Montford Point (T-MLP-1) underway in July 2014.JPG
USNS Montford Point (T-ESD-1)

Template:See

Template:Sclass

Mobile landing platform (MLP)

The Mobile landing platform (MLP) was reclassified as the Expeditionary transfer dock (ESD) on 4 September 2015.

  • USNS Montford Point (T-MLP-1), later T-ESD-1
  • USNS John Glenn (T-MLP-2), later T-ESD-2
  • USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-MLP-3) later AFSB-1, ESB-3

Littoral combat ship (LCS)

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See

Barracks ships

Barracks ships are auxiliaries that are used in a variety of roles, not only for amphibious warfare.

Self-propelled barracks ship (APB)

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Non self-propelled barracks ship (APL)

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Offshore petroleum distribution system (OPDS) ships

File:MSC-chartered MV VADM K.R. Wheeler.jpg
USNS Vice Adm. K. R. Wheeler (T-AG-5001)
File:SS Chesapeake (AOT-5084).jpg
SS Chesapeake (AOT-5084), note the green barge-like Single Anchor Leg Mooring (SALM) on the deck aft of center for use in deploying the OPDS hoses, hose reels are forward

OPDS ships support amphibious operations by pumping needed fuel ashore without the need for port facilities. They do not have unique hull classification symbols.<ref name="GlobalSecurity1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Pump vessels

Tankers

All OPDS tankers have been scrapped.

See also

References

Citations

Template:Reflist

Footnotes

Template:Reflist

Sources

Museum ships

  • USS LCI(L)-713 - Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum, Portland, OR
  • USS LCI(L)-1091 - Humboldt Bay Naval Sea/Air Museum, Eureka, CA
  • USS LCS(L)(3)-102 - Landing Craft Support Museum, Mare Island, CA
  • USS LST-325 - The USS LST Ship Memorial, Evansville, IN
  • USS LST-393 - USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, Muskegon, MI
  • USS Stark County (LST-1134) - Surat Thani, Thailand

Template:US Navy navbox Template:MARCOMships

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