PMS377 was established 19 July 1966 to manage the acquisition
of LHA 1 Class ships. Originally named the Large General Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHA) Project, its initial charter, was issued on 16 December 1966 via NAVSHIPINST 5430.64.

NAVSHIPINST 5430.64A of 22 January 1970 subsequently changed that title to General Purpose Amphibious Assault (LHA) Ship Acquisition Project. The establishment of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in 1974 and designation of PMS377 as PM18, Deputy for LHA ships in 1975 made it necessary to revise the charter once again. On 6 February 1976, NAVSEAINST 5400.26A retitled PMS377 to Amphibious Ship Acquisition Project and PMS377 responsibilities were expanded to include the acquisition of amphibious ships such as the LSD 41 Class. In March 1979, management of Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) and Amphibious Assault Landing Craft (AALC) programs was transferred to PMS377 from PMS300 and SEA 03, respectively.

Between 1980 and 1984, PMS377 was assigned additional acquisition programs including: LHD 1 Amphibious Assault Ship (Multipurpose);
LSD 41 Cargo Variant (CV); LPD 4 Service Life Extension Program; T-AKR Fast Logistic Ship; T-ACS Auxiliary Crane Ship; T-AVB Aviation Logistics Support Ship; T-AKX Maritime Prepositioning Ship; the Merchant Ship Naval Augmentation Program (MSNAP), including the procurement of thousands of Sealift Enhancement Features (SEF) and associated training systems such as Air Cushion Vehicle Operator Training System (ACVOTS), SEASHEDs, Flatracks, Containership Cargo Stowage Adapters, Modular Cargo Delivery Station units, VERTREP Platforms and the Offshore Petroleum Discharge System (OPDS).
On 24 February 1984, PMS377 was retitled again to Amphibious Warfare and Strategic Sealift Program. PMS377 was assigned responsibility for LCAC Life Cycle Management in 1985, the LX Acquisition Program (which subsequently became the LPD 17 Program) in 1988 and the Strategic Sealift Ship Program in 1989.

In 1990 the Amphibious Assault Direction System (AN/KSQ-1) Program was added. In June 1992, when responsibility for the T-ACS, Auxiliary
Crane Ship, Strategic Sealift and Strategic Sealift Ships was transferred, the program office was renamed Amphibious Warfare Program Office. In June 1993, PMS377 was assigned responsibility for the Multi-mission Craft, Air Cushion (MCAC) initiative to
pursue near-term mine hunting / sweeping and lane breaching capabilities for LCAC. In September 1995, PMS377 became the Program Manager of the Position Location Reporting System (PLRS) and Enhanced PLRS (EPLRS), both subcomponents of the AN/KSQ-1 system, On 1 July 1996, PMS377 assumed life cycle responsibility for all Amphibious Ships (LST 1179, LPD 4, LPH 1, LSD 36, LSD 41, LSD 49, LHA 1, and LHD 1 ship classes) and Command & Control Ships (LCC 1 and AGF 1 ship classes) formerly managed by PMS335. In late 1997, PMS377 assumed Program Management of the “SMART GATOR”
initiative.

In may 2000 PMS377 was assigned responsibility for the Joint Maritime Command and Control (JCC(X)) Ship Program. This program was cancelled in Feb 2003. In November 2000, PMS377 was assigned management responsibility for the LHA Replacement (LHA(R)) Program.

Since its establishment in 1966, PMS377 has effectively managed billions of dollars of SCN, OPN, O&MN; and RDT&E; funds assigned to various ACAT I, II, III, IV and non-ACAT programs to create nine new classes of ships; deliver 55 ships, 91 LCAC and thousands of sealift enhancements; and manage the overhaul
and modernization of numerous Amphibious and Command & Control ships, installing hundreds of needed SHIPALTS in the process. Ship classes PMS377 has delivered include:

· LHA 1 (TARAWA) Class Amphibious Assault Ship, General Purpose (5 ships)

· LHD 1 (WASP) Class Amphibious Assault Ship, Multi-Purpose (7 ships)

· LSD 41 (WHIDBEY ISLAND) Class Dock Landing Ship (8 ships)

· LSD 49 (HARPERS FERRY) Class Dock Landing Ship (Cargo Variant) (4 ships)

· T-AKR 287 (ALGOL) Class Fast Sealift Ship (8 ships)

· T-AVB 3 (WRIGHT) Class Aviation Maintenance Logistics Ship (2 ships)

· T-ACS 1 (KEYSTONE STATE) Class Auxiliary Crane Ship (9 ships)

· T-AKX Maritime Prepositioning Ship (12 ships)

Additionally, several new program offices grew out of PMS377.
On 26 June 1992 the Strategic Sealift Program Office (PMS385) was created to manage Strategic Sealift programs. On 17 October 1994, the LPD 17 Program was reassigned to the newly established LPD 17 Program Office (PMS317). In June 2000, the Amphibious / Auxiliary Life Cycle Office (PMS470) was created to assume management of Amphibious and Command & Control Ship life cycle activity.

The Program Office is managed by a Navy Captain or senior Government Civil Service civilian and the Program Manager billet is designated
as equivalent to a Major Command. PMS377 has been managed by twelve Program Managers since 1966.

Current Status: The Amphibious Warfare Program Office (PMS377) is assigned to PEO Ships. The programs currently managed by the Program Office include the LHD 1, LHA(R), LCAC SLEP, LCAC In-service and AADS programs.

For additional information, please visit PEO Ships Website