Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress

Some Members of Congress this year have expressed interest in the option of procuring a 10th San Antonio LPD-17 class amphibious ship in FY2009, so as to help meet the Marine Corps goal for amphibious lift capability. The Navys proposed FY2009 budget does not request funding for a 10th LPD-17 and instead proposes ending LPD-17 procurement with the ninth ship, which was procured in FY2008. The Navys proposed FY2009 budget requests 103.2 million for LPD-17 program closeout costs. Amphibious ships are one of four principal categories of combat ships that traditionally have helped define the size and structure of the U.S. Navy. The other three are submarines, aircraft carriers, and surface combatants e.g., cruisers, destroyers, frigates, and Littoral Combat Ships. The Navys amphibious ships are crewed by sailors. The primary function of Navy amphibious ships is to lift i.e., transport U.S. Marines and their equipment and supplies to distant operating areas, and enable Marines to conduct expeditionary operations ashore in those areas. Amphibious ships have berthing spaces for Marines, flight decks and hangar decks for their helicopters and vertical take-off and landing VTOL fixed-wing aircraft, well decks for storing and launching their landing craft, and storage space for their wheeled vehicles, their other combat equipment, and their supplies. Although amphibious ships are designed to support Marine landings against opposing military forces, they can also be used for Marine landings in so-called permissive or benign situations where there are no opposing forces.