The United States Navy

Amphibious Command Ships - LCC

Updated: 8 April 2002

Description: Amphibious Command ships provide command and control for fleet commanders.

Background: Commissioned in 1970, these are the only ships to be designed initially for an amphibious command ship role. Earlier amphibious command ships lacked sufficient speed to keep up with a 20-knot amphibious force. Subsequently, both ships became fleet flagships. USS Blue Ridge became the Seventh Fleet command ship in 1979, and USS Mount Whitney became the Second Fleet command ship in 1981.

Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington, DC 20362

General Characteristics, Blue Ridge Class

Builders:
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard - LCC 19
Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. - LCC 20.
Power Plant: Two boilers, one geared turbine, one shaft; 22,000 horsepower
Length overall: 634 feet (190 meters)
Beam extreme: 108 feet (32 meters)
Displacement: 18,874 tons (19,176.89 metric tons) full load
Speed: 23 knots (26.5 miles, 42.4 km, per hour)
Aircraft: All helicopters except the CH-53 Sea Stallion can be carried
Units:
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), Yokosuka, Japan
USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), Norfolk, Va.
Crew: 52 officers, 790 enlisted
Date Deployed: 14 November 1970 (USS Blue Ridge)

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