LPD-17 San Antonio Class: The USA’s New Amphibious Ships

LPD-17 cutaway
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LPD-17 San Antonio class amphibious assault support vessels are just entering service with the US Navy, and 11 ships of this class are eventually slated to replace up to 41 previous ships. Much like their smaller predecessors, their mission is to embark, transport, land, and support elements of a US Marine Corps Landing Force. The difference is found in these ships’ size, their cost, and the capabilities and technologies used to perform those missions. Among other additions, this new ship is designed to operate the Marines’ new MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, alongside the standard well decks for hovercraft and amphibious armored personnel carriers.

While its design incorporates notable advances, the number of serious issues encountered in this ship class have been much higher than usual, and more extensive. The New Orleans shipyard to which most of this contract was assigned appears to be part of the problem. Initial ships have been criticized, often, for sub-standard workmanship, and it took 2 1/2 years after the initial ship of class was delivered before any of them could be sent on an operational cruise. Whereupon the USS San Antonio promptly found itself laid up Bahrain, due to oil leaks. It hasn’t been the only ship of its class hurt by serious mechanical issues. Meanwhile, costs are almost twice the originally promised amounts, reaching over $1.6 billion per ship – 2 to 3 times as much as many foreign LPDs like the Rotterdam Class, and more than 10 times as much as Singapore’s 6,600 ton Endurance Class LPD. This article covers the LPD-17 San Antonio Class program, including its technologies, its problems, and ongoing contracts and events.

LPD-17 San Antonio Class: Capabilities and Features

Roles and Innovations

Capacity & Carriage

Self-Defense

LPD-17 San Antonio Class: Program, Budgets & Timelines

Timelines

LPD-17 Program: Performance Problems

The Vicious Cycle

LPD-17 San Antonio Class: Contracts & Key Events (1996-Present)

FY 2013

FY 2012

FY 2011

FY 2010

FY 2009

FY 2007 – 2008

FY 2005 – 2006

FY 2004 and Earlier

Additional Readings & Sources – LPD-17 Ship Class

Official Reports

News and Views

LPD-17 Class & ATF
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MV-22 Osprey

The Marines’ EFV
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AN/SPS-48E radar on
LPD-17 USS San Antonio

RIM-116 RAM Launch

Full flight deck view
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LPD 23 & LPD 24
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Osprey onto LPD 21
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LPD 24 Arlington launch
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Building LPD 23 Anchorage
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FY 2009 DOT&E report
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LPD-17: Welcome to Norfolk…
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LPD-22 launch
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LPD-21, sea trials
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LPD-22 construction
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Mesa Verde, trials
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LPD 18 New Orleans
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LPD-17 commissioning
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LPD 17, Dockside

From WTC to LPD-21
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LPD-17 construction.
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