LANDING FORCE: EVOLUTION OF AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE

“War is both timeless and ever changing. While the basic nature of war is constant, the means and methods we use evolve continuously.” - Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1, Warfighting

The Roots of Amphibious Warfare

Gator Navy! Amphibious warfare, the coordinated use of naval and land forces to project power onto a hostile shore, boasts a long and storied history. Ancient civilizations employed rudimentary forms of this strategy. The Greeks, for instance, famously launched a seaborne assault on Troy, highlighting the inherent vulnerabilities of coastal defenses. Similarly, the Persian Empire leveraged naval power to transport troops and supplies for their invasions of Greece.

The origins of modern amphibious ships can be traced back to World War I with the development of landing craft called X‐Lighters by the British for the Gallipoli Campaign in 1915. These early vessels marked a significant step towards specialized ships designed to transport troops and equipment ashore. Since then, amphibious ships have undergone continuous evolution, adapting to changing operational requirements and technological advancements.

While these early examples demonstrated the potential of combining sea and land power, modern amphibious warfare, with its specialized vessels and intricate planning, emerged primarily in the 20th century. The World Wars witnessed significant advancements in this domain, with operations like the D‐Day landings in Normandy and the island‐hopping campaigns in the Pacific showcasing the scale and complexity of modern amphibious assaults.

Inactive Amphibious Ship Types

• Attack Cargo Ship (AKA)
• Auxiliary Personnel Attack (APA)
• High Speed Transport (APD)
• Landing Craft Infantry (LCI)
• Landing Craft Support (LCS)
• Inshore Fire Support Ship (LFR)
• Amphibious Cargo Ship (LKA)
• Landing Platform Amphibious (LPA)
• Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH)
• Amphibious Transport Small (LPR)
• Amphibious Transport Submarine (LPSS)
• Landing Ship Tank (LST)

Active Amphibious Ship Types

Today's amphibious ships are highly advanced warships, functioning as flexible, floating bases for projecting power ashore. They are designed to efficiently transport and deploy Marines, their vehicles, and various aircraft. Featuring specialized well decks for landing craft and flight decks that accommodate helicopters and even cutting-edge VTOL aircraft like the F-35B, these ships possess incredible versatility. This allows them to execute diverse missions, from critical humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts to complex amphibious assaults. Integrating advanced technologies such as stealth, sophisticated command and control, and powerful self-defense systems, modern amphibious ships are formidable and adaptable platforms vital for naval power projection in the 21st century.

Blue Ridge Class Amphibious Command Ships (LCC) ‐ 2 active America Class Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) ‐ 2 active, 2 under construction, 1 authorized UPDATED 7/15/25 Wasp Class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ‐ 7 active San Antonio Class Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ‐ 13 active, 3 under construction, 3 purchased UPDATED 3/21/25 Whidbey Island Class and Harpers Ferry Class Landing Ship Dock (LSD) ‐ 10 active

Tomorrow's Amphibious Ships UPDATED 8/22/25

The U.S. Navy's Landing Ship Medium (LSM) program, formerly known as the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW), is a key part of the Marine Corps' strategic shift toward a more distributed and agile force, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The LSM is designed to transport and deploy small Marine Littoral Regiments (MLRs) to austere and contested island environments. The goal is to provide a smaller, less expensive, and more numerous vessel than the Navy's traditional amphibious ships.

Initial plans for a new, purpose-built LSM design were abandoned because industry bids came in significantly over budget. In response, the Navy has pivoted to an accelerated acquisition strategy that focuses on procuring an existing commercial or non-developmental item (CNDI) design. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) reviewed numerous proposals and identified two viable designs: the Israeli Logistics Support Vessel (ILSV) (pictured right). and the Damen Naval LST-100.

To move forward, NAVSEA has acquired the technical data packages for both designs. The lead ship of the class is planned to be built by Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, LA, and is based on the ILSV design. The ship is to be named USS McClung (LSM 1), after Major Megan McClung, USMC, who was the first female Marine Officer to be killed in the Iraq War, and the first female US Naval Academy graduate to be killed in action in the school's 172-year history. The Navy has also issued a request for information (RFI) for firms to provide vessel construction management (VCM) services for the initial build. The goal is to award contracts for up to eight vessels, with an anticipated build time of 32 to 36 months for each.

The overall program objective is to acquire between 18 and 35 LSMs to support the Marine Corps' three MLRs. The USN's Fiscal Year 2026 budget request includes $1.96 billion for the procurement of an initial nine ships, reflecting a strong commitment to moving the program forward despite past setbacks.

McClung Class Landing Ship Medium (LSM) ‐ 0 active, 0 under construction, 1 contract awarded UPDATED: 8/22/25

• More information on the LSM program can be found ...
• Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress September 24, 2024
• December 18, 2024 USNI News "Landing Ship Medium Program Stalled Over Price, Navy Cancels Industry RFP"
• January 15, 2025 The WARZONE "Navy Now Seeking Commercial Ship Design To Propel Its Long-Delayed Medium Landing Ship Program Forward"
• Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Updated January 23, 2025
• August 19, 2025 Naval News "US Navy takes next steps for new LSM medium landing ship class"
• August 19, 2025 The Maritime Executive "US Navy Looks for a Commercial Manager for Marine Corps' New Landing Ship"