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The
LPD's of the US NAVY
 What is an LPD? Simply put, LPD stands for Landing Ship Transport, Dock This
type of ship was planned shortly after the Korean War, conceived
to combine the functions of an LSD and an APA (attack transport)
thus providing a well-deck similar to one on a LSD, that could
carry and launch assault boats, in addition the ship could assume
the function of an APA and act as a troop transport. The
difference between a LSD and a LPD is the size of this well-deck.
The well-deck in a LPD is about half the size of the well-deck of
an LSD. This allows for more cargo, vehicles and extra TROOPS
to be carried.
The newest assault boats the Navy has are called LCAC's. That stands for Landing Craft Air Cushion. These are actually large hover-craft that can drive into the well deck even when not flooded. They can also drive up on to the beachhead to deliver troops upon it with dry feet, unlike the old days where they had to wade through the surf under fire. The LCAC's can even carry a couple of M-1 Abrams Tanks while riding on their cushion of air! The
navy has planned at one time or another to build 28 of these
versatile ships and has actually finished 15 of them with 12 more
to be under construction over the next decade. We thank Chris Vallery for this
information. |
Copyright
© 2008, Jace Carlton