MCRP 3-31B

Amphibious Ships and 

Landing Craft 

Data Book

U.S. Marine Corps 

PCN 144 000103 00 

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: approved for public release; distribution is unlimited
To Our Readers

Changes: Readers of this publication are encouraged to submit suggestions and changes that

will improve it. Recommendations may be sent directly to Commanding General, Marine

Corps Combat Development Command, Doctrine Division (C 42), 3300 Russell Road, Suite

318A, Quantico, VA 22134-5021 or by fax to 703-784-2917 (DSN 278-2917) or by E-mail to

morgann@mccdc.usmc.mil. Recommendations should include the following information:

✝ Location of change

Publication number and title

Current page number

Paragraph number (if applicable)

Line number

Figure or table number (if applicable)

✝ Nature of change

Add, delete

Proposed new text, preferably double-spaced and typewritten

✝ Justification and/or source of change

Additional copies: A printed copy of this publication may be obtained from Marine Corps

Logistics Base, Albany, GA 31704-5001, by following the instructions in MCBul 5600, Marine Corps Doctrinal Publications Status. An electronic copy may be obtained from the Doctrine Division, MCCDC, world wide web home page which is found at the following universal

reference locator: http://www.doctrine.usmc.mil.

Unless otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, both 

men and women are included.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

United States Marine Corps

Washington, DC 20380-1775

29 August 2001

FOREWORD

PURPOSE

Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-31B, Amphibious Ships and Landing

Craft Data Book, is for use in planning where generalized capabilities and

measurements are required. In planning for operations where exact capabilities and

figures are required, the individual ship’s loading characteristics pamphlet (SLCP)

must be consulted.

SCOPE

The information contained in this MCRP was obtained from the individual SLCPs and

from the Naval Sea Systems Command. The data is based on class averages. No

broken stowage factors have been applied to square footage in embarked landing craft.

SUPERSESSION

This book supersedes Fleet Marine Force Reference Publication (FMFRP) 1-18,

Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book, dated 6 August 1991.

CERTIFICATION

Reviewed and approved this date.

BY DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORP

DISTRIBUTION: 144 000103 00 

Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book___________________________________________________________ iii

Contents

Amphibious Command Ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose), USS Tarawa (LHA-1) Class . . . . . . 3

Amphibious Assault Ship (Multipurpose), USS Wasp (LHD-1) Class . . . . . . . . . . 6

Amphibious Transport Dock, USS Austin (LPD-4) Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Amphibious Transport Dock, USS San Antonio (LPD-17) Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Dock Landing Ship, USS Anchorage (LSD-36) Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Dock Landing Ship, USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41) Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Dock Landing Ship (Cargo Variant), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) Class. . . . . . . 21

Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Landing Craft Utility (LCU). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Landing Craft Mechanized, LCM MARK 8 (LCM-8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Appendix A: Navy Inactive Fleet

Amphibious Cargo Ship, USS Charleston (LKA-113) Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

Tank Landing Ship, USS Newport (LST-1179) Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glossary-1
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book____________________________________________________________ 1

Amphibious Command Ship

USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) Class

USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the amphibious command ship

(LCC) is to function as the command ship for a joint

task force as the command, control, communications,

computers, and intelligence (C4I) platform, or for a

naval component commander; numbered fleet

commander; commander, amphibious task force

(CATF); Marine expeditionary force (MEF). 

General Comments

This ship is designed primarily to fulfill command and

control requirements for surface, subsurface, and air

units engaged in amphibious assaults. 

The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is distinctive in

appearance. The ship can communicate in frequency

ranges from high frequency to super high frequency,

including two satellite systems for high speed/high

volume communication links. The various internal

command areas are highly automated to monitor and

process information regarding the progress of an

amphibious operation. This is the only class of ship

designed from its hull up to support the command and

control needs of the CATF; commander, landing force

(CLF); and tactical air control center (TACC).

General Information

Length (overall) 620 feet

Beam 180 feet

Displacement (light load) 16,100 tons

Displacement (full load) 18,646 tons

Draft (full load) 29 feet

Main engine (geared turbine) 1

Boilers 2

Shaft 1

Shaft horsepower 22,000

Speed 23 knots

Range at 16 knots 13,000 nautical miles

Staff accommodations 217

Crew accommodations 774

Ship's chaplain Yes
2 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Landing Force Lift General Information

Command and Control Systems

Organic Craft

Weapons

Ships in Class

Officer accommodations 56

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 42

Enlisted accommodations 

(E-6 and below) 111

Vehicle square 3,015 square feet

Cargo cube 2,175 cubic feet

Helicopter landing spot 1

JP-5 123,510 gallons

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare Data 

System No

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space Yes

Flag Plot Yes

Landing Force Operations Center Yes

Joint Intelligence Center Yes

Supporting Arms Coordination Center Yes

Command and Control Systems 

(Continued)

Tactical-Logistical Group No

Helicopter Logistics Support Group Yes

Helicopter Direction Center Yes

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Tactical Air Control Center Yes

Landing craft, personnel, large (LCPL) 2

Utility boat 1

Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS)

MK-38 25mm Machine Gun

M-2 .50 caliber Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)

MK-36 Chaff Rocket Super Rapid Booming Offboard 

Chaff (SRBOC) Launcher

Hull Number Ship's Name Home Port

LCC-19 USS Blue Ridge Yokosuka, Japan 

LCC-20 USS Mount Whitney Norfolk, VA
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book____________________________________________________________ 3

Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose)

USS Tarawa (LHA-1) Class

USS Nassau (LHA-4) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the amphibious assault ship

(general purpose) (LHA) is to embark, deploy, and land

elements of a Marine landing force in an amphibious

assault by helicopters, landing craft, amphibious

vehicles, and by combinations of these methods.

General Comments

The LHA features include a full length flight deck, a

landing craft docking well (well deck), large storage

areas for vehicles and cargo, and troop berthing for a

reinforced battalion. An Integrated Tactical

Amphibious Warfare Data System (ITAWDS)

provides computerized support in control of

helicopters, aircraft, shipboard weapons, sensors,

navigation, landing craft, and electronic warfare. 

The flag spaces are designed to support the staff of the

embarked Navy organization (amphibious squadron

[PHIBRON] or an amphibious group [PHIBGRU]

staff) and the Marine landing force staff (Marine

expeditionary unit [MEU], Marine expeditionary

brigade [MEB] or Marine expeditionary force [MEF]).

The design of the LHA provides an optimum

operational environment for ship's company, embarked

staffs, troops, and support personnel prior to, during,

and after an amphibious operation.

General Information 

Length (overall) 820 feet

Beam 106 feet

Displacement (light load) 33,536 tons

Displacement (full load) 39,967 tons

Draft (full load) 26 feet

Main engines (geared 

turbine) 2

Boilers 2

Shafts 2

Shaft horsepower 70,000

Speed 24 knots

Range at 20 knots 10,000 nautical miles

Bow thruster Yes

Staff accommodations 87

Crew accommodations 956

Ship's chaplain Yes
4 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Landing Force Lift General Information

Command and Control Systems

Medical Capabilities

Well Deck

The landing craft numbers listed below are the maximum

number of each type of craft that can be stowed in the well

deck exclusive of any other craft. Combinations of these

craft may be stowed in the well deck.

Cargo Handling Equipment

Officer accommodations 172

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 59

Enlisted accommodations

(E-6 and below) 1,672

Surge accommodations No

Vehicle square 28,700 

square feet

Cargo cube 156,000 

cubic feet

Helicopter landing spots 9

Operational CH-46 equivalents 43

JP-5 407,600 

gallons

Motor gasoline (MOGAS) (embarked 

bladder) 500 gallons

Landing force operational reserve 

material (LFORM) Yes

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare Data 

System Yes

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space Yes

Flag Plot Yes

Landing Force Operations Center Yes

Joint Intelligence Center Yes

Supporting Arms Coordination Center Yes

Tactical-Logistical Group Yes

Helicopter Logistics Support Group Yes

Tactical Air Control Center Yes

Helicopter Direction Center Yes

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Operating rooms 4

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care 17 beds

Isolation ward 4 beds

Primary care ward 48 beds

Ship's doctor Yes

Ship's dentist Yes

Length (to island) 107 feet,

7 inches

Length (overall) 249 feet,

8 inches

Width 76 feet

Height 26 feet,

8 inches

LCAC 1

Landing craft, utility (LCU) 4

Forklift (electric/4-ton) 1

Forklifts (diesel/6-ton) 8

Forklifts (rough terrain/10,000 pounds) 2

Aircraft tow tractors (41⁄4-ton) 6

Aircraft spotting dollies (6-ton) 3

Aircraft elevators (40-ton aft/

20-ton portside) 2

Longitudinal pallet conveyor 1

Monorails (2 hooks, each with 3-ton 

capacity) 3 
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book____________________________________________________________ 5

Organic Craft 

Weapons

Ships in Class

LCPL 2

Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS)

Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) System

MK-36 Chaff Rocket Super Rapid Booming Offboard 

Chaff (SRBOC) Launcher

MK-38 25mm Machine Gun

M-2 .50 caliber Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)

Hull 

Number Ship's Name Home Port

LHA-1 USS Tarawa San Diego, CA

LHA-2 USS Saipan Norfolk, VA

LHA-3 USS Belleau Wood San Diego, CA

LHA-4 USS Nassau Norfolk, VA

LHA-5 USS Peleliu San Diego, CA 
6 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Amphibious Assault Ship (Multipurpose)

USS Wasp (LHD-1) Class

USS Essex (LHD-2) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the amphibious assault ship

(multipurpose) (LHD) is to embark, deploy, and land

elements of a Marine landing force in an amphibious

assault by helicopters, landing craft, amphibious

vehicles, and by combinations of these methods. The

LHD is assigned a secondary mission of sea control

and power projection in which additional fixed-wing

vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft

and helicopters are deployed.

General Comments

The LHD incorporates the original design features of

the LHA. The ship can embark a large segment of a

landing force with its equipment and supplies. The

flag spaces are designed to support the staff of the

embarked Navy organization (amphibious squadron

[PHIBRON] or an amphibious group [PHIBGRU]

staff) and the Marine landing force staff (Marine

expeditionary unit [MEU], Marine expeditionary

brigade [MEB)] or Marine expeditionary force

[MEF]). An expanded and combined flag data display

uses the latest in technology to enhance the

commander's ability to control air, land, and sea assets.

The aviation facilities are capable of supporting a

composite helicopter squadron or an AV-8B V/STOL

squadron or combination of the two. When in its

secondary mission, the flight deck can accommodate

20 AV-8B and 4 to 6 SH-60B (LAMPS III), thus

enabling the commander to control the sea while

projecting power.

General Information

Length (overall) 844 feet

Beam 107 feet

Displacement (light load) 26,840 tons

Displacement (full load) 40,532 tons

Draft (full load) 26 feet, 6 inches

Main engines 2

Boilers 2

Shafts 2

Shaft horsepower 70,000

Speed 22 knots
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book____________________________________________________________ 7

Landing Force Lift General Information

Command and Control Systems

Medical Capabilities

Well Deck

The landing craft numbers listed below are the maximum

number of each type of craft that can be stowed in the well

deck exclusive of any other craft. Combinations of these

craft may be stowed in the well deck.

Cargo Handling Equipment

General Information (Continued)

Bow thruster No

Staff accommodations 35

Crew accommodations 1,231

Ship's chaplain Yes

Officer accommodations 173

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 64

Enlisted accommodations (E-6 and below) 1,656

Surge accommodations (officer) 19

Surge accommodations (E-7) 6

Surge accommodations (E-6 and below) 186

Vehicle square 24,012 

square feet

Cargo cube 145,000 

cubic feet

Helicopter landing spots 9

Operational CH-46 equivalents 42

JP-5 484,000 

gallons

MOGAS (embarked bladder) 500 

gallons

LFORM Yes

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare 

Data System Yes

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space Yes

Flag Plot Yes

Command and Control Systems 

(Continued)

Landing Force Operations Center Yes

Joint Intelligence Center Yes

Supporting Arms Coordination Center Yes

Tactical-Logistical Group Yes

Helicopter Logistics Support Group Yes

Tactical Air Control Center Yes

Helicopter Direction Center Yes

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Operating rooms 6

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care 18 beds

Isolation ward 6 beds

Primary care ward 36 beds

Ship's doctor Yes

Ship's dentist Yes

Length (overall) 322 feet

Width 50 feet

Height 28 feet

LCACs 3

LCUs 2

Forklifts (electric 2-ton) 10

Forklifts (diesel 3-ton) 25
8 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Organic Craft 

Weapons

Ships in Class

Cargo Handling Equipment (Continued)

Forklifts (rough terrain/10,000 pounds) 2

Aircraft tow tractors 5

Spotting dollies 4

Aircraft elevators (port/starboard 371⁄2-ton) 2

Aircraft crash crane (ACC) (35-ton 

maximum capability) 1

Monorail (11⁄2-ton) 5

Cargo elevators (6-ton) 6

Pallet conveyors (1⁄2-ton/300 pallets 

per hour) 2

LCPL 1

7-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) 1

Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS)

NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System (NSSMS)

Weapons (Continued)

M-2 .50 caliber Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)

MK-38 25mm Machine Gun

Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) System

Hull 

Number Ship's Name Home Port

LHD-1 USS Wasp Norfolk, VA

LHD-2 USS Essex Sasebo, Japan

LHD-3 USS Kearsarge Norfolk, VA

LHD-4 USS Boxer San Diego, CA

LHD-5 USS Bataan Norfolk, VA

LHD-6 USS Bon Homme 

Richard San Diego, CA

LHD-7 USS Iwo Jima Norfolk, VA

LHD-8 (Name/delivery date 

TBD) TBD
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book____________________________________________________________ 9

Amphibious Transport Dock

USS Austin (LPD-4)Class

USS Trenton (LPD-14) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the LPD is to transport and

land troops and their essential equipment and supplies

in an amphibious assault by means of embarked

landing craft or amphibious vehicles augmented by

helicopter lift.

General Comments

The LPD is a general purpose amphibious ship with

substantial lift capacities for troops, vehicles, landing

craft, cargo, and bulk fuel. The LPD is capable of

ballasting to permit loading and launching of landing

craft and assault amphibious vehicles. Vehicles can

move about the various decks by a series of poweroperated ramps. The well deck can accommodate all

types of landing craft currently in the amphibious

force inventory. A limited number of helicopters may

be transported on the flight deck as the LPD serves as

a helicopter platform for landing embarked troops and

their supplies. It also serves as a refueling station for

helicopters of the landing force. Troops, vehicles, and

equipment can be loaded/off-loaded by helicopter and

landing craft simultaneously. Several LPDs are flag

configured for MEU and PHIBRON size staffs.

General Information

Length (overall) 570 feet

Beam 84 feet

Displacement (light load) 9,128 tons

Displacement (full load) 16,905 tons

Draft (full load) 23 feet

Main engines 2

Boilers 2

Shafts 2

Shaft horsepower 24,000

Speed 21 knots

Range at 20 knots 7,700 nautical miles

Bow thruster No

Staff accommodations 

(flag configured only) 60

Crew accommodations 492

Ship's chaplain Yes
10 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Landing Force Lift General Information

Organic Craft

Command and Control Systems

Medical Capabilities

Cargo Handling Equipment

Officer accommodations 68

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 21

Enlisted accommodations

(E-6 and below) 620

Surge accommodations

(E-6 and below) 176

Vehicle square 14,000 

square feet

Cargo cube 51,000 

cubic feet

Helicopter landing spots 2

Operational CH-46 equivalents 4

JP-5 288,700 

gallons

MOGAS 21,900 

gallons

LFORM Yes

Utility boat 1

LCPL 2

7-meter RHIB 1

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare Data 

System No

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space (flag configured only) Yes

Flag Plot (flag configured only) Yes

Command and Control Systems 

(Continued)

Troop Operations and Logistics Center Yes

Joint Intelligence Center No

Supporting Arms Coordination Center

(flag configured only) Yes

Tactical-Logistical Group No

Helicopter Logistics Support Group No

Tactical Air Control Center No

Helicopter Direction Center No

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Operating room 1

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care No

Isolation ward 4 beds

Primary care ward 8 beds

Casualty overflow No

Ship's doctor Yes

Ship's dentist Yes

Forklifts (electric/2-ton) 10

Forklifts (rough terrain/6,000 pounds) 2

Cargo and weapons elevator (8-ton) 1

Pallet conveyors(11⁄2-ton) 3

Monorails (2 hooks, each with 

2-ton capacity) 2

Boat and aircraft crane (30-ton) 1
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book__________________________________________________________ 11

Well Deck

Weapons

Ships in Class

The landing craft numbers listed below are the maximum

number of each type of craft that can be stowed in the well

deck exclusive of any other craft. Combinations of these

craft may be stowed in the well deck.

Length (overall) 168 feet

Width 50 feet

Height 20 feet

LCAC 1

LCU 1

Phalanx Close-in Weapon system (CIWS)

MK-36 Chaff Rocket Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff 

(SRBOC) Launcher

Hull Number Ship's Name Home Port Flag Configured

LPD-4 USS Austin Norfolk, VA No

LPD-5 USS Ogden San Diego, CA No

LPD-6 USS Duluth San Diego, CA No

LPD-7 USS Cleveland San Diego, CA Yes

LPD-8 USS Dubuque San Diego, CA Yes

LPD-9 USS Denver San Diego, CA Yes

LPD-10 USS Juneau Sasebo, Japan Yes

LPD-12 USS Shreveport Norfolk, VA Yes

LPD-13 USS Nashville Norfolk, VA Yes

LPD-14 USS Trenton Norfolk, VA No

LPD-15 USS Ponce Norfolk, VA No
12 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Amphibious Transport Dock

USS San Antonio (LPD-17) Class

USS San Antonio (LPD-17) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the LPD-17 class ships is to

embark, transport, and land elements of the landing

force in an assault by helicopters, landing craft,

amphibious assault vehicles, and by a combination of

these methods.

General Comments

The San Antonio class LPD will provide greatly

improved warfighting capabilities including an

advanced command and control suite, a greatly

increased lift capacity, including substantial increases

in vehicle and cargo carrying capability, and advanced

ship survivability features. These ships have been

designed from the keel up to support the Marine Corps

‘mobility triad’—the landing craft air cushion (LCAC)

vehicle, advanced amphibious assault vehicle

(AAAV), and MV-22 (Osprey tiltrotor aircraft)—

making this class a key element of 21st century

amphibious ready groups. It is also certified for the

AV-8B aircraft. The LPD-17 class ships are scheduled

to replace the older LPD-4 class.

The San Antonio class design integrates the latest in

command, control, communications, computers,

intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR)

capability. These capabilities are further enhanced by

additional, dedicated intelligence, mission planning,

and command and control spaces. The shipboard wide

area network (SWAN) developed for LPD-17 is a

fiber optic shipwide large area computer network. 

General Information

Length (overall) 684 feet

Beam 105 feet

Displacement (full load) 25,296 tons

Draft (full load) 23 feet

Main engines 4

Boilers 2

Shafts 2

Speed 22+ knots

Bow thruster No

Staff accommodations No 

Crew accommodations 493

Ship's chaplain Yes
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book__________________________________________________________ 13

Landing Force Lift General Information

Organic Craft

Command and Control Systems

Medical Capabilities

Cargo Handling Equipment

Officer accommodations 66

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 41

Enlisted accommodations (E-6 and 

below) 597

Surge accommodations (officer) 11

Surge accommodations (E-7) 6

Surge accommodations (E-6 and below) 78

Vehicle square 25,000 

square feet

Cargo cube 35,000 

cubic feet

Helicopter landing spots 2

Operational CH-46 equivalents 4

JP-5 215,000 

gallons

MOGAS 10,000 

gallons

LFORM Yes

LCPL 1

7-meter RHIBs 2

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare 

Data System No

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space Yes

Troop Operations and Logistics Center Yes

Command and Control Systems 

(Continued)

Joint Intelligence Center Yes

Supporting Arms Coordination Center Yes

Tactical-Logistical Group Yes

Helicopter Logistics Support Group No

Tactical Air Control Center No

Helicopter Direction Center No

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Operating rooms 2

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care No

Isolation ward 4 beds

Primary care ward 24 beds

Ship's doctor Yes

Ship's dentist Yes

Forklifts (electric/2-ton) 10

Forklifts (rough terrain/6,000 pounds) 2

Cargo and weapons elevator (8-ton) 1

Pallet conveyors (11⁄2-ton) 3

Monorails (2 hooks, each with 2-ton 

capacity) 6

Boat and aircraft crane (30-ton) 1
14 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Well Deck

Weapons

Ships in Class

The landing craft numbers listed below are the maximum number 

of each type of craft that can be stowed in the well deck exclusive 

of any other craft. Combinations of these craft may be stowed in 

the well deck.

Length (overall) 188 feet

Width 50 feet

Height 31 feet

LCAC 2

LCU 1

LCM-8 4

MK -41, 16 Cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) space and weight only

MK-144 Mod 0 Rolling Air Frame Missile (RAM) Launchers

MK-26 .50 caliber Machine Guns

MK-46 Mod 1 30mm Machine Gun

Hull Number Ship's Name Home Port

Scheduled 

Delivery

LPD-17 USS San Antonio Norfolk, VA 11/04

LPD-18 USS New Orleans San Diego, CA 07/05

LPD-19 USS Mesa Verde Norfolk, VA 10/05

LPD-20 USS Green Bay San Diego, CA 03/06

LPD-21 TBD San Diego, CA 11/06

LPD-22 TBD San Diego, CA 04/07

LPD-23 TBD Sasebo, Japan 07/07

LPD-24 TBD San Diego, CA 03/08

LPD-25 TBD Norfolk, VA 10/08

LPD-26 TBD Norfolk, VA 01/09

LPD-27 TBD Norfolk, VA 09/09

LPD-28 TBD Norfolk, VA 08/10
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book__________________________________________________________ 15

Dock Landing Ship

USS Anchorage (LSD-36) Class

USS Mount Vernon (LSD-39) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the LSD-36 is to transport

and launch loaded amphibious craft and vehicles with

their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious

assaults by landing craft and amphibious vehicles. It

can render limited docking repair service to small

ships and craft.

General Comments

Major spaces for carrying vehicles and/or cargo or

conducting helicopter operations are the helicopter

platform, the super deck, the mezzanine deck, and the

well deck. The mezzanine deck, super deck, and

helicopter platform are constructed so they can be

removed and stored ashore should assigned operations

dictate. Mezzanine decks are frequently removed, but

super decks and helicopter platforms are rarely

removed. Vehicles may be loaded via landing craft into

the well deck or lifted aboard by crane to the super deck

for transit via ramps to other decks for stowage.

Vehicles stowed in the well deck should be at least 50

feet forward of any landing craft to minimize potential

salt water immersion during ballasting operations.

General Information

Length (overall) 562 feet

Beam 8 4feet

Displacement (light load) 8,200 tons

Displacement (full load) 13,680 tons

Draft (full load) 20 feet 

Main engines 2

Boilers 2

Shafts 2

Shaft horsepower 24,000 

Speed 22 knots

Range at 12 knots 14,800 nautical miles

Bow thruster No

Staff accommodations No

Crew accommodations 426

Ship's chaplain No
16 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Landing Force Lift General Information

Command and Control Systems

Medical Capabilities

Well Deck

The landing craft numbers listed below are the maximum

number of each type of craft that can be stowed in the well

deck exclusive of any other craft. Combinations of these

craft may be stowed in the well deck.

Cargo Handling Equipment

Organic Craft

Officer accommodations 25

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 8

Enlisted accommodations

(E-6 and below) 303

Surge accommodations (E-6 and below) No

Vehicle square (with mezzanine) 19,700 

square feet

Vehicle square (without mezzanine) 8,800 

square feet

Cargo cube 1,800 

cubic feet

Helicopter landing spot 1

Operational CH-46 equivalent No

JP-5 31,500 

gallons

MOGAS No

LFORM No

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare Data 

System No

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space No

Flag Plot No

Landing Force Operations Center No

Joint Intelligence Center No

Supporting Arms Coordination Center No

Tactical-Logistical Group No

Helicopter Logistics Support Group No

Tactical Air Control Center No

Helicopter Direction Center No

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Operating room No

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care 1 bed

Isolation ward 2 beds

Primary care ward 8 beds

Casualty overflow No

Ship's doctor No

Ship's dentist Yes

Length (overall) 436 feet

Width 50 feet

Height 21 feet

LCACs (with mezzanine) 2

LCACs (without mezzanine) 3

LCU (with mezzanine) 1

LCUs (without mezzanine) 3

Forklift (rough terrain/6,000 pounds) 1

Monorails (6-ton) 2

Boat and aircraft crane (20-ton) 1

Boat and aircraft crane (60-ton) 1

LCPL 2
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book__________________________________________________________ 17

Weapons

Ships In Class

Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS)

MK-36 Chaff Rocket Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff (SRBOC) 

Launcher

Hull Number Ship's Name Home Port

LSD-36 USS Anchorage San Diego, CA

LSD-37 USS Portland Little Creek, VA

LSD-39 USS Mount Vernon San Diego, CA
18 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Dock Landing Ship

USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41) Class

USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the dock landing ship (LSD41) is to transport and launch loaded amphibious craft

and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel

in amphibious assaults by landing craft and

amphibious vehicles. It can render limited docking

repair service to small ships and craft.

General Comments

The LSD-41 provides for greater storage space of

weapons and equipment, improved facilities for

embarked troops, greater range of operations, and the

capability to embark either conventional landing craft

or LCAC. The ships incorporate materials handling

equipment including elevators, package/roller

conveyors and forklifts, pallet transporters, and a

turntable similar to that found on an LST. The

turntable is located between the well deck and the

helicopter deck forward of the boat deck to assist in

the rapid turnaround of vehicles and equipment during

loading/offloading operations.

General Information

Length (overall) 609 feet

Beam 84 feet

Displacement (light load) 10,560 tons

Displacement (full load) 15,165 tons

Draft (full load) 20 feet

Main engines (geared diesel) 4

Boiler No

Shafts 2

Shaft horsepower 34,000

Speed 20+ knots

Bow thruster No

Staff accommodations No

Crew accommodations 413

Ship's chaplain No
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book__________________________________________________________ 19

Landing Force Lift General Information

Command and Control Systems

Command and control systems on the LSD-41 are designed to

support the command, control, communications, computer

systems, and intelligence (C4I) requirements for own ship

independent operations and in conjunction with an amphibious task force.

Medical Capabilities

Cargo Handling Equipment

Well Deck

The landing craft numbers listed below are the maximum

number of each type of craft that can be stowed in the well

deck exclusive of any other craft. Combinations of these

craft may be stowed in the well deck.

Officer accommodations 27

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 13

Enlisted accommodations (E-6 and below) 362

Surge accommodations (officer) 7

Surge accommodations (E-7) 7

Surge accommodations (E-6 and below) 88

Vehicle square 11,831 

square 

feet

Cargo cube 8,970 

cubic feet

Helicopter landing spots 2

Operational CH-46 equivalent No

JP-5 53,000 

gallons

MOGAS 766 

gallons

LFORM No

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare 

Data System No

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space No

Flag Plot No

Landing Force Operations Center No

Joint Intelligence Center No

Supporting Arms Coordination Center No

Tactical-Logistical Group Yes

Helicopter Logistics Support Group No

Command and Control Systems 

(Continued)

Tactical Air Control Center No

Helicopter Direction Center No 

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Operating room 1

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care 1 bed

Isolation ward 2 beds

Primary care ward 5 beds

Casualty overflow No

Ship's doctor Yes

Ship's dentist Yes

Reaching and tiering forklifts (electric/2-ton) 2

Pallet jacks (electric/3-ton) 2

Forklifts (rough terrain/6,000 pounds) 2

Cargo elevator (4-ton) 1

Bridge crane (15-ton [two 71⁄2-ton hoists]) 1

Boat and aircraft crane (60-ton) 2

Boat and aircraft crane (20-ton) 1

Turntable 1

Length (overall) 440 feet

Width 50 feet

Height 27 feet

LCACs 4

LCUs 3
20 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Organic Craft

Weapons

Ships in Class

Utility Boat 1

LCPL 2

Phalanx CIWS

MK-38 25mm Machine Gun

Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff (SRBOC)

Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) System

Hull 

Number Ship's Name Home Port

LSD-41 USS Whidbey Island Little Creek, VA

LSD-42 USS Germantown Sasebo, Japan

LSD-43 USS Fort McHenry San Diego, CA

LSD-44 USS Gunston Hall Little Creek, VA

LSD-45 USS Comstock San Diego, CA 

LSD-46 USS Tortuga Little Creek, VA 

LSD-47 USS Rushmore San Diego, CA

LSD-48 USS Ashland Little Creek, VA
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book__________________________________________________________ 21

Dock Landing Ship (Cargo Variant)

USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) Class

USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the dock landing ship

(LSD-49) is to tran sport and launch loaded

amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and

embarked personnel in amphibious assaults by landing

craft and amphibious vehicles. It can render limited

docking repair service to small ships and craft.

General Comments

The LSD-49 is the cargo variant (CV) of the LSD-41

ship. Its well deck is shortened to half the length of the

LSD-41 to provide space for additional munitions and

vehicle stowage. The LSD-49 has stowage space for

18 percent more vehicles and seven times as much

stowage space for cargo as the LSD-41. It is not

equipped with a well deck bridge crane and is not

designed to perform LCAC organizational level

maintenance. Its single 30-ton crane can offload only

to the starboard side. Intraship, it has 12 forklifts, 3 lift

platforms, 2 elevators, and 2 pallet transporters for

rapid cargo movement.

General Information

Length (overall) 609 feet

Beam 84 feet

Displacement (light load) 11,328 tons

Displacement (full load) 16,740 tons

Draft (full load) 20 feet

Main engines (geared diesel) 4

Boiler No

Shafts 2

Shaft horsepower 34,000

Speed Classified

Range Classified

Bow thruster No

Staff accommodations No

Crew accommodations 413

Ship's chaplain No 
22 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Landing Force Lift General Information

Command and Control Systems

Command and control systems on the LSD-49 (CV) are

designed to support the C4I requirements for own ship independent operations and in conjunction with an amphibious

task force.

Medical Capabilities

Cargo Handling Equipment

Well Deck

The landing craft numbers listed below are the maximum

number of each type of craft that can be stowed in the well

deck exclusive of any other craft. Combinations of these

craft may be stowed in the well deck.

Officer accommodations 27

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 18

Enlisted accommodations (E-6 and 

below) 362

Surge accommodations (officer) 7

Surge accommodations (E-7) 6

Surge accommodations (E-6 and below) 88

Vehicle square 20,200 

square feet

Cargo cube 67,600 

cubic feet

Helicopter landing spots 2

Operational CH-46 equivalent No

JP-5 50,600 

gallons

MOGAS No

LFORM Yes

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare 

Data System No

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space No

Flag Plot No

Landing Force Operations Center No

Joint Intelligence Center No

Supporting Arms Coordination Center No

Tactical-Logistical Group Yes

Command and Control Systems 

(Continued)

Helicopter Logistics Support Group No

Tactical Air Control Center No

Helicopter Direction Center No

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Operating Room 1

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care 1 bed

Isolation ward 2 beds

Primary care ward 5 beds

Casualty overflow No

Ship's doctor Yes

Ship's dentist Yes

Forklifts (electric/2-ton) 7

Forklifts (rough terrain/4,000 pounds) 3

Forklifts (rough terrain/6,000 pounds) 2

Cargo lift platforms 3

Cargo elevators (4-ton) 2

Boat and aircraft crane (30-ton) 1

Cargo weapons elevator (12,000 pounds) 1

Length (overall) 180 feet

Width 50 feet

Height 30 feet

LCACs 2

LCU 1
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book__________________________________________________________ 23

Organic Craft

Weapons

Ships in Class

Utility Boat 1

LCPL 2

Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) 

25mm Machine Guns

Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff (SRBOC)

Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) System

Hull 

Number Ship's Name Home Port

LSD-49 USS Harpers Ferry San Diego, CA

LSD-50 USS Carter Hall Little Creek, VA

LSD-51 USS Oak Hill Little Creek, VA

LSD-52 USS Pearl Harbor San Diego, CA
24 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)

Mission

The LCAC’s mission is to land heavy vehicles,

equipment, personnel, and cargo in amphibious assaults.

General Information

The LCAC is the latest generation of amphibious assault

landing craft. Combining the heavy lift capacity of the

surface assault with high speeds of helicopter-borne

assault, the LCAC adds a new dimension to the capabilities

of amphibious forces. It is capable of traveling over land

and water. At over-the-horizon (OTH) distances of 12 to

100 nautical miles, LCAC offers the military planner

another method for attaining surprise when conducting

amphibious operations.

The addition of air cushion technology adds high

speed and long range to surface-borne amphibious

operations. Additional flexibility is provided by

LCAC’s ability to operate independent of tides and

hydrographic constraint. In some cases, the LCAC

will have a significant ability to influence operations

beyond the high water mark. Weather can affect

LCAC operations, but it is less of a factor than for

other ship-to-shore delivery means.

Characteristics

Length overall (off cushion) 81 feet

Length overall (on cushion) 87 feet, 11 inches

Width overall (off cushion) 43 feet, 8 inches

Width overall (on cushion) 47 feet

Height (on cushion) 23 feet, 8 inches

Cargo deck length 67 feet

Cargo deck width (maximum) 27 feet

Cargo deck 1,809 square feet

Troop capacity 24

Bow ramp width 28 feet, 4 inches

Bow ramp angle 14 degrees

Stern ramp width 14 feet, 10 inches

Stern ramp angle 14 degrees

Cargo capacity (design) 60 tons

Cargo capacity (overload) 75 tons

Displacement (full load) 166.6 tons

Displacement (capacity load) 181.6 tons

Speed 40+ knots

Range 200 nautical miles

Propulsion (turbo fan 40B gas 

turbines) 4

Crew 5
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book__________________________________________________________ 25

Landing Craft Utility (LCU)

Mission

The LCU’s mission is to land heavy vehicles,

equipment, personnel, and cargo in an amphibious

assault.

General Information

The LCU is a highly versatile craft; like others of the

landing craft family, it has been adapted for many uses

including salvage operations, ferry boats for vehicles

and passengers, and underwater test platforms. It is a

self-sustaining craft with the typical habitability

features found aboard ships. Its welded steel hull

provides high durability with deck loads of 800

pounds per square foot. Arrangement of machinery

and equipment has taken into account built-in

redundancy in the event of battle damage. The craft

features two engine rooms separated by a watertight

bulkhead to permit limited operation in the event that

one engine room is disabled. An anchor system is

installed on the starboard side aft to assist in retracting

from the beach.

Characteristics

Length (overall) 135 feet

Width (overall) 29 feet, 6 inches

Height (mast folded) 17 feet, 9 inches

Cargo deck length 121 feet

Cargo deck width (maximum) 25 feet

Cargo deck 1,850 square feet

Displacement (loaded) 437 tons

Troop capacity (on deck) 400

Bow ramp width 14 feet, 3 inches

Stern ramp width 18 feet

Cargo capacity 143 tons

Speed 12 knots

Range 1,200 nautical miles

Propulsion (diesel) 2

Draft fore 3 feet, 6 inches(

Draft aft 6 foot, 10 inches

Crew 11
26 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Landing Craft Mechanized

LCM Mark 8 (LCM-8)

Mission

The LCM’s mission is to land personnel, supplies,

and equipment in an amphibious assault or in direct

support of maritime prepositioning force

operations. 

Characteristics Steel Aluminum

Length (overall) 73 feet, 

7 inches

74 feet,

6 inches

Width (overall) 21 feet,

1 inch

21 feet, 

1 inch

Cargo deck length 42 feet 42 feet

Cargo deck width 

(maximum) 14 feet 17 feet

Cargo deck 588 

square feet

714

square feet

Characteristics Steel Aluminum

Displacement (loaded) 105 tons 107 tons

Troop capacity 200 200

Bow ramp width 14 feet,

9 inches

14 feet,

9 inches

Cargo capacity 60 tons 60 tons

Speed 12 knots 12 knots

Propulsion (diesel) 2 2

Draft fore 4 feet, 

5 inches

3 feet, 

10 inches

Draft aft 4 feet,

10 inches

4 feet, 

3 inches

Crew (wartime) 5 5

Crew (peacetime) 4 4
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book_________________________________________________________ A-1

APPENDIX: NAVY INACTIVE FLEET

Amphibious Cargo Ship

USS Charleston (LKA-113) Class

USS El Paso (LKA-117) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the amphibious cargo ship

(LKA) is to transport and land combat equipment and

material with attendant personnel in an amphibious

assault.

General Comments

The USS Charleston LKA provides considerable

flexibility in cargo stowage methods. The cargo

elevators servicing holds 1, 3, and 4 make all

categories of supplies and all levels available

simultaneously to either the main deck or the

helicopter platform. Use of the ship's forklifts and

pallet transporters speed the maneuvering of cargo in

the holds and enable delivery to various debarkation

stations via the main deck passageways, which run the

length of the ship. The arrangement and quantity of

booms and cargo elevators make it possible to

simultaneously embark/debark vehicles and cargo.

Vehicles in upper stowage spaces can be embarked/

debarked through the hatches with cargo booms, while

pallets are embarked/debarked in lower stowage

spaces by elevators. The main deck hatch of hold 2 is

unobstructed and can be opened for embarking/

debarking of vehicles without the delay of unloading

landing craft stowed on the hatch. Hold 4 is well suited

for high priority cargo because of its direct access to

the flight deck or main deck via elevator number 5.

General Information

NOTE: All five LKAs have been decommissioned and layed up in the Navy Inactive Fleet as mobilization assets 

(Maintenance Category B) through FY09.

Length (overall) 575 feet

Beam 82 feet

Displacement (light load) 10,000 tons

Displacement (full load) 20,700 tons

Draft (full load) 25 feet

Main engine 1

Boilers 2

Shaft 1

Shaft horsepower 19,250 

Speed 20 knots

Range at 16 knots 9,600 nautical miles

Bow thruster No

Staff accommodations No

Crew accommodations 409

Ship's chaplain No
A-2 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Landing Force Lift General Information

Command and Control Systems

Medical Capabilities

Cargo Handling Equipment

Organic Craft

Weapons

Officer accommodations 15

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 6

Enlisted accommodations (E-6 and below) 205

Surge accommodations (E-6 and below) No

Vehicle square (square feet) 47,000

Cargo cube (cubic feet) 88,100

Helicopter landing spot 1

Operational CH-46 equivalent No

JP-5 52,600 

gallons

MOGAS No

LFORM Yes

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare 

Data System No

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space No

Flag Plot No

Landing Force Operations Center No

Joint Intelligence Center No

Supporting Arms Coordination Center No

Tactical-Logistical Group No

Helicopter Logistics Support Group No

Tactical Air Control Center No

Helicopter Direction Center No

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

Operating room 1 bed

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care No

Isolation ward 4 beds

Primary care ward 9 beds

Casualty overflow No

Ship's doctor Yes

Ship's dentist No

Forklifts (electric/2-ton) 10

Forklifts (diesel/3-ton) 2

Pallet jacks (electric/2-ton) 3

Cargo elevators (2-ton) 5

Cargo elevator (6-ton) 1

Booms (15-ton) 8

Booms (40-ton) 2

Booms (70-ton) 2

LCM-8 4

LCPL 2

Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), MK-16 20mm

3-in-50 (Twin MK-33)

MK-36 Chaff Rocket Super Rapid Booming Offboard 

Chaff (SRBOC) Launcher
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book_________________________________________________________ A-3

Ships In Class

Hull Number Ship's Name Location

LKA-113 USS Charleston NISMF Philadelphia, PA

PALKA-114 USS Durham NISMF Pearl Harbor, HI

LKA-115 USS Mobile NISMF Philadelphia, PA

PALKA-116 USS St. Louis NISMF Pearl Harbor, HI

HILKA-117 USS El Paso NISMF Philadelphia, PA
A-4 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Tank Landing Ship

USS Newport (LST-1179) Class

USS La Moure County (LST-1194) Pictured

Mission

The assigned mission of the LST is to transport and

land amphibious assault vehicles, tanks, combat

vehicles, and equipment in amphibious assaults.

General Comments

The USS Newport LST employs higher speeds and

trimmer lines than slower snub-nosed LSTs of World

War II. It has a sharper clipper-ship bow topped by

two huge derricks used to extend and retract its bow

ramp. The 110-foot aluminum ramp has a 75-ton

capacity and is extended and retracted by a

semiautomatic system of sensing switches that operate

power winches below decks. When extended, the

ramp is attached to the main deck by a pivot post. The

end of the ramp rests on a beach or pontoon causeway,

depending on the water depth and the beach gradient.

USS Newport LST is also the first amphibious ship to

be fitted with an internal side propulsion unit located

below the waterline in the vicinity of the bow. The

bow thruster allows the bow to be pushed from side to

side while the stern remains relatively stationary. This

increased maneuverability has proven invaluable in

restricted waters and especially during mooring and

causeway marriages. The first stern gate used on an

LST is found in the USS Newport LST and allows

loading and launching of amphibious assault vehicles

(AAVs) as well as sterngate marriages with landing

craft utility (LCU).

General Information

NOTE: The LSTs listed on page A-6, plus four in the Navy Inactive Fleet (Maintenance Category B), are in support of 

the Amphibious Lift Enhancement Plan (ALEP) to ensure adequate amphibious lift availability in a crisis. LSTs 1182, 

1187, 1190 and 1191 will be retained as mobilization assets until FY09.

Length (overall) 522 feet

Beam 70 feet

Displacement (light load) 4,975 tons

Displacement (full load) 8,450 tons

Draft (full load) 20 feet

Main engines (diesel) 6

Boilers (150 psi) 2

Shafts 2

Shaft horsepower 16,800

Speed 22 knots

Range 14,250 nautical miles

Bow thruster Yes

Staff accommodations No

Crew accommodations 245

Ship's chaplain No
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book_________________________________________________________ A-5

Landing Force Lift General Information

Command and Control Systems

Organic Craft

Medical Capabilities

Cargo Handling Equipment

Weapons

Officer accommodations 20

Enlisted accommodations (E-7) 21

Enlisted accommodations

(E-6 and below) 273

Surge accommodations

(E-6 and Below) 72

Vehicle square 16,500 

square feet

Cargo cube 4,500 

cubic feet

Helicopter landing spot 1

Operational CH-46 equivalent No

JP-5 19,100 

gallons

MOGAS 7,200 

gallons

LFORM No

Combat Information Center Yes

Integrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare 

Data System No

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space No

Flag Plot No

Landing Force Operations Center No

Joint Intelligence Center No

Supporting Arms Coordination Center No

Tactical-Logistical Group No

Helicopter Logistics Support Group No

Command and Control Systems 

(Continued)

Tactical Air Control Center No

Helicopter Direction Center No

Helicopter Coordination Section Yes

LCVPs 3

LCPL 1

Operating room No

Post-operative recovery/Intensive care No

Isolation ward No

Primary care ward No

Casualty overflow No

Ship's doctor No

Ship's dentist No

Forklifts (diesel/3-ton) 2

Forklift (rough terrain/6,000 pounds) 1

Cargo booms (10-ton) 2

Turntables 2

Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) 

Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff (SRBOC)
A-6 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

Ships in Class

Hull Number Ship's Name Location

LST-1184 USS Frederick (Reserve Fleet) Pearl Harbor, HI

LST 1182 USS Fresno NISMF Pearl Harbor, HI

LST 1187 USS Tuscaloosa NISMF Pearl Harbor HI

LST 1190 USS Boulder NISMF Philadelphia, PA

LST 1191 USS Racine NISMF Pearl Harbor, HI

LST-1194 USS La Moure County (Reserve Fleet) Little Creek, VA
Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book_________________________________________________ Glossary-1

GLOSSARY

PART 1. ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

AAAV . . . . . . . . advanced amphibious assault vehicle

ACC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . aircraft crash crane

AAV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . assault amphibious vehicle

ALEP. . . . . . . . . . Amphibious Lift Enhancement Plan

C4I. . . . . . . . . . . command, control, communications,

computers, and intelligence

C4ISR . . . . . . . . command, control, communications,

computers, intelligence, surveillance, and

reconnaissance

CATF . . . . . . . . . .commander, amphibious task force

CIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . combat information center

CIWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Close-in Weapon System

CLF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .commander, landing force

CV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cargo variant

HCS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . helicopter coordination section

HDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .helicopter direction center

HLSG . . . . . . . . . . . helicopter logistics support group

HMG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . heavy machine gun

ITAWDS . . . . . . . . . . Integrated Tactical Amphibious

Warfare Data System

JIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .joint intelligence center

JTF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .joint task force

LCAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . landing craft air cushion

LCC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . amphibious command ship

LCM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . landing craft mechanized

LCPL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .landing craft, personnel, large

LCU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . landing craft utility

LCVP . . . . . . . . . . . . landing craft, vehicle, personnel

LFOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . landing force operations center

LFORM. . . landing force operational reserve material

LHA . . . . . amphibious assault ship (general purpose)

LHD . . . . . . . amphibious assault ship (multipurpose)

LKA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .amphibious cargo ship

LPD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . amphibious transport dock

LSD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dock landing ship

LST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tank landing ship

MEB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine expeditionary brigade

MEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine expeditionary force

MEU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marine expeditionary unit

mm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . millimeter

MOGAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .motor gasoline

NSSMS . . . . . . . . . NATO Seasparrow missile system

OTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . over-the-horizon

PHIBGRU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . amphibious group

PHIBRON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .amphibious squadron

psi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pounds per square inch

RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rolling Airframe Missile

RHIB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rigid hull inflatable boat

RRF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ready Reserve Force

SACC . . . . . . . . .supporting arms coordination center

SLCP. . . . . . . . ship's loading characteristics pamphlet

SRBOC . . . . . . . . super rapid booming offboard chaff

SSDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ship’s Self Defense System

SSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . ship’s signals exploitation space

SWAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .shipboard wide area network

TACC . . . . . . . . . . . . tactical air control center (USN)

TACLOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tactical-logistical group

VLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vertical launch system

V/STOL. . . . . . . . . . vertical/short takeoff and landing
Glossary-2 _______________________________________________________________________________________ MCRP 3-31B

PART 2. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

ballasting operations. Operations conducted by

amphibious shipping to flood the ship’s well deck

allowing landing craft to enter the ship and load or

unload personnel, vehicles and cargo. Although this

method is time consuming, it is considered the safest

method of embarkation.

broken stowage. The space lost in the holds of a

vessel because of the contour of the ship and the shape

of the cargo. Also, a factor applied to the available

space for embarkation due to the loss between boxes,

between vehicles, around stanchions, and over cargo.

The factor will vary depending on the type and size of

vehicles, type and size of general cargo, training and

experience of loading personnel, type of loading,

method of stowage, and configuration of

compartments.

flag spaces. Billeting and office spaces aboard the

LHA, LHD, and command configured LPD-4 Class

amphibious shipping allocated to the CATF staff.

helicopter platform. A term used for amphibious

shipping with the capability to support the landing of

helicopters for the purpose of embarking or debarking

troops and cargo and for refueling aircraft.

mezzanine deck. Applicable to the LSD-36 Class

amphibious ship. A system of 14 portable/removable

sections installed between the well deck and the super

deck for stowage of vehicles and cargo. When

installed, ramps provide vehicle access from the well

deck to the super deck and flight deck. Also referred to

as “’tween” deck.

MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit). A Marine airground task force that is constructed around an

infantry battalion reinforced, a helicopter squadron

reinforced, and a task-organized combat service

support element. It normally fulfills Marine Corps

forward sea-based deployment requirements. The

Marine expeditionary unit provides an immediate

reaction capability for crisis response and is capable of

limited combat operations. Also called MEU.

sterngate marriage. Weather conditions

permitting, displacement landing craft are brought

to the sterngate, secured, and allowed to lower their

bow ramp to a dry well deck. Personnel and

vehicles can be quickly loaded or unloaded over the

ramp and the need for time-consuming ballasting

operations are negated. 

super deck. Applicable to the LSD-36 Class

amphibious ship. Installed forward of the flight deck,

it provides a stowage area for vehicles and cargo and

can be accessed from the well deck via the mezzanine

deck ramps or lifted aboard using the ship’s cranes.