Description: Warships that embark, transport, seabase and land elements
of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions. 
Description: Warships that embark, transport, seabase and land elements
of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
Features: The amphibious transports are used to transport, seabase and land Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft or amphibious vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical take off and landing aircraft in amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions.
Background: The versatile Austin-class LPDs provide substantial amphibious lift for Marine troops and their vehicles and cargo. Additionally, they serve as the secondary aviation platform for amphibious ready groups. The oldest of the class turned 38 in early 2003. As the new San Antonio-class LPDs enter service, Austin-class LPDs will be decommissioned.
A contract for final design and construction of San Antonio (LPD 17), the lead ship in the class, was awarded in December 1996; actual construction commenced in August 2000. The lead ship contract contained options for New Orleans (FY 1999) and one of the FY 2000 follow-on ships, Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and Green Bay (LPD 20). These options were exercised in December 1998 and February 2000. A negotiated modification added the second FY 2000 ship, Green Bay, in May 2000. The Navy awarded the contract to build New York (LPD 21), in November 2003. By the end of 2003, construction of San Antonio was more than 80 percent complete, New Orleans was more than 35% complete, and Mesa Verde was more than 25% complete.
The keel of Green Bay was laid in August 2003 and the bow stem of New York was cast in September 2003, using tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center. The 12 ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy’s seabase transformation. Collectively, these ships functionally replace over 41 ships (LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113, and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships) providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, seabased platforms that are networked, survivable, and built to operate with 21st century transformational platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), and future means by which Marines are delivered ashore.
Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington, DC 20362
Anchorage (LPD 23)
Arlington (LPD 24)
Somerset (LPD 25)
Crew:
Ship's Company: 361 (28 officers, 333 enlisted)
Embarked Landing Force: 699 (66 officers, 633 enlisted); surge capacity to 800
Return to the Fact File Table of contents.