Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft: Past, Present, and Future

Throughout recorded history many nations have incorporated the use of amphibious warfare in support of their strategic interests and objectives. Since this is true of the United States today and is likely to continue into the foreseeable future, this unique type of warfare deserves careful study and development by senior military leaders. This essay looks at one aspect of the complex art of amphibious warfare, the evolution of amphibious vessels. It examines the changes in amphibious ships and landing craft from the invasion of Britain by Julius Caesar in 55-56 B.C. to the present. It highlights significant events and technological advances which affected this evolution up through World War II and Korea. After providing an overview of the capabilities of present day US Navy amphibious craft of the early years of the twenty-first century is made. The essay concludes with a brief discussion of the flexibility and capabilities the future amphibious commander will have at his disposal and the need to being now to develop doctrine for their employment in support of US national interests.