Title: Amphibious Transport Docks (LPD)
Action: A picture of a transport ship is shown on the right. The following text is shown below it:
The amphibious transports are used to transport land Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked landing craft or amphibious vehicles augmented by helicopters in amphibious assault.
These versatile ships perform the mission of amphibious transports, amphibious cargo ships and the older LSDs by incorporating both a flight deck and a well deck that can be ballasted and deballasted to support landing craft. The Navy’s newest class of ship San Antonio (LPD17), is scheduled to replace the older LPD 4 class and its increased vehicle and substantial cargo carrying capacity will make it a key element of 21st Century Amphibious Ready Groups. The 12 ships of the class Integrate the latest in shipbuilding and warfighting technologies to support current and future Marine Corps aircraft, the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) and air cushion or conventional landing craft.
The LPD 17 will be a highly reliable, warfare capable ship and the most survivable amphibious ship every put to sea. The design incorporates state-of-the-art self-defense capabilities, C4I, and reduced radar cross section signature technologies.