Sergeant Peter J. Chartier
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” - Ronald Reagan
USS Duluth
Visit the Duluth's Official Website! | December 2004 Gatorgram
Amphibious Transport Dock - LPD
Updated: 26 October 2004
Description: Warships that embark, transport, and land
elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.
Features: The amphibious transports are used to transport, 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 Expeditionary Strike Groups. The oldest of the class turned 39 in early 2004. As the new San Antonio-class LPDs enter service, Austin-class LPDs will be decommissioned
General Characteristics Austin class
Builders:LPD 4-6, New York Naval Shipyard
LPD 7 and LPD 8, Ingalls Shipbuilding
LPD 9, 10, 12-15, Lockheed Shipbuilding
Unit cost: $235-419 million
Power plant: Two boilers, two steam turbines, two shafts, 24,000 shaft horsepower
Length: 570 feet (171 meters)
Beam: 84 feet (25.2 meters)
Displacement: Approximately 17,000 tons (17,272.82 metric tons) full load
Speed: 21 knots (24.2 mph, 38.7 kph)
Aircraft: Up to six CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
Ships:
USS Austin (LPD 4), Norfolk, Va.
USS Ogden (LPD 5), San Diego, Calif.
USS Duluth (LPD 6), San Diego, Calif.
USS Cleveland (LPD 7), San Diego, Calif.
USS Dubuque (LPD 8), San Diego, Calif.
USS Denver (LPD 9), San Diego, Calif.
USS Juneau (LPD 10), Sasebo, Japan
USS Shreveport (LPD 12), Norfolk, Va.
USS Nashville (LPD 13), Norfolk, Va.
USS Trenton (LPD 14), Norfolk, Va.
USS Ponce (LPD 15), Norfolk, Va.
Crew:
Ship's Company: 420 (24 officers, 396 enlisted)
Marine Detachment: 900
Armament: Two 25mm Mk 38 guns; two Phalanx CIWS; and eight .50-calibre machine guns.
Date Deployed: Feb. 6, 1965 (USS Austin)
Awarded: September 21, 1961
Keel laid: December 18, 1963
Launched: August 14, 1965
Commissioned: December 18, 1966
Builder: New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Propulsion system: two boilers, two steam turbines
Propellers: two
Length: 569 feet (173.4 meters)
Beam: 105 feet (32 meters)
Draft: 23 feet (7 meters) ballasted: 34 feet (10.4 meters)
Displacement: approx. 16,900 tons
Speed: 21 knots
Well deck capacity: one LCAC or one LCU or four LCM-8 or nine LCM-6 or 24 amphibious assault vehicles (AAV)
Aircraft: none, but telescopic hangar installed aboard. The hangar is not used to accommodate helicopters but on the flight deck there is space for up to six CH-46 helicopters.
Crew: Ship: 24 officers, 396 enlisted Marine Detachment: approx. 900
Armament: two 20mm Phalanx CIWS, two 25mm Mk 38 guns, eight .50-calibre machine guns
Homeport:
San Diego,
CA
