Dan Goure
Most discussions of future U.S. amphibious warfare capabilities focus on ships, planes, helicopters and vehicles. The Navy is building modern amphibious warships such as the LPD-17 class and planning for the future LX(R). A dramatic improvement in Marine Corps aviation is occurring with the deployment of the first squadrons of the short-takeoff, vertical landing variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The F-35B is being deployed on the Navy’s LHA and LHD amphibious assault ships, which have flight decks. The Marine Corps is investing heavily in its rotary wing fleet with the MV-22 Osprey, AH-1Z Viper, UH-1Y Venom and new CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopters. Finally, the Marine Corps’ amphibious combat vehicle program will provide new fighting platforms that will eventually be able to self-deploy from ships at sea to the beach.
Amphibious operations involve the deployment of land and sea forces from platforms at sea onto a potentially hostile shore. Modern amphibious forces have the ability to maneuver through the air, using the MV-22 and helicopters to deploy Marines and vehicles beyond the beach. Nevertheless, the essence of amphibious operations is the movement of men, equipment and material from ships to shore. The Navy and Marine Corps operate fleets of boats and vehicles for amphibious operations but they can carry
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-the-landing-craft-air-cushion-crucial-the-us-marines%E2%80%99-22188
