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Revision as of 14:27, 11 January 2011 by Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry (talk | contribs) (note)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Mobile Landing Platform is a class of amphibious assault ship currently being planned for the United States Navy. It will act as a staging position between large cargo ships and the smaller craft, such as LCACs, which are designed to land directly on beaches, and will be based loosely on the design of the Alaska-class oil tanker. It will be joined in this role by a sister class, the Integrated Landing Platform. The navy tested the concept of a Mobile Landing Platform with USNS Red Cloud and MV Mighty Servant. The ship will be heavily based around the idea of 'seabasing', where US troops serving overseas would be based aboard the ship. Because of this, the ship is expected to be fitted with a small operating theatre, as well as the ability to transfer large amounts of cargo and vehicles from its hold to another vessel berthed alongside via a simple ramp system which can be used in calm seas. Using the ship, a US Stryker brigade could be deployed to a hostile country within a few days, including the 15-20,000 tonnes of equipment needed to support such a brigade.
The Mobile Landing Platform will also include ample space for the equipment used by troops aboard, including jeeps, helicopters, and mobile assault vehicles. It may also be able to accommodate future high-speed beach landing craft, currently being planned by the US Navy - but its ability to operate will be constrained by the weather. It will not be able to operate in rough seas, or in areas where there are hazards to large shipping, such as mines or underwater obstacles.
The ship, when built, would be able to carry 1,112 marines and be 250 meters long, with a displacement of 34,544 tonnes. it will be built by General Dynamics in San Diego. Construction is due to begin in July 2011.