Navy Wants FY 2018 Amphib to be First-in-Class LX(R), Not a 14th LPD
By: Megan Eckstein
January 12, 2018 12:37 PM
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Navy wants the next amphibious ship it buys to be the first of the next-generation LX(R) amphibs rather than another “bridge ship†to the new class, two service officials said, after Congress appears to be leaving the choice to the Navy.
The Navy’s San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks (LPD-17) had been set to end at 11 ships, but once the Navy identified the LPD hull form as the basis of its next amphib class, the LX(R) dock landing ship replacement, Congress added funding for an LPD-28 to serve as a bridge from one class to the next, to keep the production line hot until the Navy was ready to move out on LX(R). With the production line running ahead of anticipation, LPD-29 was added in Fiscal Year 2017 as another “bridge ship.â€
https://news.usni.org/2018/01/12/navy-wants-fy2018-amphib-first-class-lxr-not-14th-lpd
