USNI News
Ingalls Eyeing LPD Cost Reductions, Capability Increases As Future Fleet Design Evolves
USS Arlington (LPD-24) transits the Mediterranean Sea on Feb. 1, 2019. US Navy Photo
As the Navy looks to smaller and cheaper manned and unmanned ships to fill out its future fleet, a larger amphibious warship program is positioning itself to remain in shipbuilding plans by highlighting the ability to continue bringing costs down – including through a potential first-ever multi-ship buy – and adding capability.
The San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks (LPD-17) went from a troubled new program in the late 2000s to a ubiquitous part of the fleet today The program has moved to a second flight design that will replace the aging dock landing ships (LSD-41/49). But new Marine Corps and Navy operational plans emphasize small maneuvering units rather than a large forcible entry force, which has raised questions about whether the Navy would continue to invest in LPDs in the same n