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.

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.

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.

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 sophisticated warships designed to project power ashore. They serve as floating bases, capable of transporting and deploying Marines, vehicles, and aircraft. These vessels feature well decks for landing craft, flight decks for helicopters and sometimes even vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft like the F‐35B, and internal docks for landing craft. This versatility allows them to operate across a spectrum of missions, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full‐scale amphibious assaults. Modern amphibious ships incorporate advanced technologies like stealth features, sophisticated command and control systems, and robust self‐defense capabilities, making them potent and adaptable platforms 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 3/21/25 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 1/26/25

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have canceled the RFP for the Landing Ship Medium (LSM), previously known as the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW), due to escalating costs. The program, originally slated for delivery in 2023, faced criticism for its limited capabilities, including slow speed (14-16 knots), troop capacity (only 75), limited weapons (25mm or 30mm gun system and a .50 caliber machine gun), and an inability to carry the Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), which is the replacement for existing LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion). The services are now exploring the acquisition and modification of existing commercial vessels to meet their amphibious warfare needs.

On January 16, the Department of Defense announced the naming of the lead ship of the McClung Class LSM; USS McClung (LSM 1). This ship's contract is expected to be awarded in March with a delivery in February 2029.

• More information can be found ...
• Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Updated August 5, 2024
• 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"
• January 15, 2025 The Maritime Executive "U.S. Navy Changes Tack on Marine Corps Landing Ship"