Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates must be congratulated for his recent recommendations that will cut certain Defense programs he feels are not appropriate for today's conflicts, and accelerating others he believes are relevant. His decision, however, to delay-some have read "cancel" into his words-construction of amphibious ships of the San Antonio (LPD-17) class is a mistake.1
His target is the 11th ship of that class, with previous Navy plans calling for 12 such vessels. Together with 11 large helicopter-STOVL amphibious ships (LHA/LHD) and 11 dock landing ships (LSD), a force of 11 modern LPDs would provide the amphibious lift needed to meet the Marine Corps' goal of the combined capability to carry the assault echelons of two Marine Expeditionary Brigades with three of the ships normally in overhaul.2
On a day-to-day basis the Navy normally organizes its amphibious ships, or "amphibs," into Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG) of three ships that can embark a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). A MEU consists of about 2,000 Marines, their aircraft, vehicles, and equipment, with about 15 days of provisions. On average, two or three ESGs are forward deployed (a schedule made possible only with one ESG being based in Japan).
An 11 ESG/MEU force appears to be a useful capability for the immediate future. While no assault landings have been made by the Marine Corps in almost 60 years, the ability to quickly put a reinforced battalion ashore in crisis areas is a valuable political-military tool for the United States.
Thus, the 11th ship of the LPD-17 class appears to be a valid requirement.
But what of additional LPD-type hulls? These ships, with a full-load displacement of almost 25,000 tons and diesel propulsion that provides a maximum 25-knot speed, have two very distinctive capabilities: First, they can embark 700 troops and their vehicles and gear, and second, they have a docking well 190 feet long and 49 feet wide, which can accommodate two air-cushion landing craft. They also have a small but significant helicopter-STOVL capability.
Although their design is considered second-rate by many analysts in comparison with some foreign amphib classes, and the U.S. ships suffered significant cost growth, their distinctive features coupled with the ships being in production argue for their continued construction for other roles.
- Flagships. The Navy's two major flagships-the Blue Ridge (LCC-19) of the Seventh Fleet and the Mount Whitney (LCC-20) of the Sixth Fleet-are almost 40 years old. The ships should be replaced in the near future. In addition, the new U.S. Africa Command would benefit from a dedicated flagship. (See "Now Hear This," October 2008 Proceedings.)
The LPD-17 design could be modified to provide permanent command and control facilities as well as office spaces in the docking well area, while the troops spaces could be modified to "real" living spaces. The design already provides for helicopter operations.3
- Fire-support ships. The Navy has continually short-changed the Marine Corps with respect to fire-support ships. The largest gun in the Fleet today is the 5-inch/54-caliber weapon. Just more than 100 barrels are in active destroyers and cruisers. The long-awaited Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class has been truncated to three ships-an aggregate of six 155-mm Advanced Gun Systems (AGS), which have a range of about 80 miles.
The LPD-17 design could be modified to provide two 155-mm AGS in place of the docking well, while retaining the troop-lift capability. Further study will be required to determine the size of the helicopter/STOVL landing area in such a modification, which could affect the efficacy of carrying troops in that configuration.
- LCS support ships. The Navy plans to build some 55 multi-mission littoral combat ships (LCS). These will have crews of approximately 40 men and women. While their embarked "mission packages" will have their own specialized personnel assigned, the large size of the ships, their many shipboard (versus mission) systems, and forward deployments of several months could cause logistic and maintenance nightmares because of the relatively small ship's company.
Consideration should be given to providing a modified LPD-17 design as an LCS support ship. In the past, various amphibs have been modified to serve as forward-area support ships for mine countermeasures craft and other "small boys." Those amphibs were LSV and LST types as well as LSDs-a first cousin to the LPD design. Also, if available, spare mission modules could be stowed in the support ship and changed out in forward areas. In this role, the LCS support ship could also be fitted as a limited forward-area command/flagship.
- Ballistic missile defense (BMD) ships. The Navy plans to construct a future class of cruisers configured for ballistic missile defense, with both conventional and nuclear propulsion-CG(X) and CG(X)N-schemes being considered for the ship. This platform has a high national priority. But the funding will undoubtedly come out of the Navy's under-funded shipbuilding budget.
A new-design BMD ship will be expensive to develop and take time. A shortcut to the missile defense ship could be to use the basic LPD-17 design. Could the large docking well accommodate the interceptor missiles, fire-control systems, and radars? Ballistic-missile defense will require more electrical power than can be provided by the ship's turbocharged diesel engines. Could an auxiliary power plant be provided-gas turbine or, possibly nuclear? If sufficient space is not available for all of the components of a CG(X)-type combat system, could the LPD-17 hull be lengthened?
For all of these considerations-despite the massive problems, delays, and cost overruns suffered by the lead ship of the class-the LPD-17 design should be considered for additional and necessary roles. Such efforts would benefit from the previous investment in the LPD-17 design, development, and construction.
1. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, press briefing. Pentagon, 6 April 2009.
2. STOVL = Short take-off/vertical-landing aircraft.
3. Two previous fleet flagships were converted from earlier, smaller LPD designs?the La Salle (LPD/AGF-3) and Coronado (LPD/AGF-11).