Below 31? Will The Marine Corps Have Enough Amphibious Assault Ships?
Congress has mandated that the Navy and Marine Corps maintain a total of at least 31 amphibious assault ships
by Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization
Launching 5th-generation stealth air attack, controlling groups of surface, air and undersea drones, transporting Marines for fast air and surface attack missions and conducting massive, full-scale amphibious warfare campaigns … are just a few reasons why the Navy and Marine Corps Combatant Commanders consistently request amphibious assault ships.
The 2024 Defense Bill has been passed by Congress, and the legislation does fund some now-in-development amphibious assault ships, however the appropriations committees are now tasked with allocating the dollars necessary to build the ships.
Priorities for the Corps include ongoing construction and development of the next-two critical America-class amphibious assault ships, called LHA 9 and LHA 10 as well as critical funding for Amphibious Transport Dock LPD 33. The first three America-class amphibs, a next-generation platform capable of transporting as many as 20 F-35Bs, are built .. and the service is surging ahead with plans to build the next two. and ship-builders are waiting for Congressional appropriations to approve and release portions of the funds.
https://warriormaven.com/sea/below-31-will-the-marine-corps-have-enough-amphibious-assault-ships