MCRP 3-31B Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book

1 MCRP 3-31B Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book Marine Corps PCN 144 000103 00 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: approved for public release; distribution is unlimited To Our ReadersChanges: Readers of this publication are encouraged to submit suggestions and changes thatwill improve it. Recommendations may be sent directly to Commanding General, MarineCorps Combat Development Command, Doctrine Division (C 42), 3300 Russell Road, Suite318A, Quantico, VA 22134-5021 or by fax to 703-784-2917 (DSN 278-2917) or by E-mail Recommendations should include the following information: Location of changePublication number and titleCurrent page numberParagraph number (if applicable)Line numberFigure or table number (if applicable) Nature of changeAdd, deleteProposed new text, preferably double-spaced and typewritten Justification and/or source of changeAdditional copies.

2 A printed copy of this publication may be obtained from Marine CorpsLogistics Base, Albany, GA 31704-5001, by following the instructions in MCBul 5600, Ma-rine Corps Doctrinal Publications Status. An electronic copy may be obtained from the Doc-trine Division, MCCDC, world wide web home page which is found at the following universalreference locator: otherwise stated, whenever the masculine gender is used, both men and women are OF THE NAVYU nited States Marine CorpsWashington, DC 20380-177529 August 2001 FOREWORDPURPOSEM arine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-31B , Amphibious Ships and LandingCraft Data Book, is for use in planning where generalized capabilities andmeasurements are required. In planning for operations where exact capabilities andfigures are required, the individual ship s loading characteristics pamphlet (SLCP)must be information contained in this MCRP was obtained from the individual SLCPs andfrom the Naval Sea Systems Command.

3 The data is based on class averages. Nobroken stowage factors have been applied to square footage in embarked Landing book supersedes Fleet Marine Force Reference Publication (FMFRP) 1-18, Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book, dated 6 August and approved this DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORP DISTRIBUTION: 144 000103 00 Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book_____ iiiContentsAmphibious Command Ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) Class ..1 Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose), USS Tarawa (LHA-1) Class ..3 Amphibious Assault Ship (Multipurpose), USS Wasp (LHD-1) Class ..6 Amphibious Transport Dock, USS Austin (LPD-4) Class ..9 Amphibious Transport Dock, USS San Antonio (LPD-17) Class.

4 12 Dock Landing Ship, USS Anchorage (LSD-36) Class ..15 Dock Landing Ship, USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41) Class ..18 Dock Landing Ship (Cargo Variant), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) Class ..21 Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)..24 Landing Craft Utility (LCU)..25 Landing Craft Mechanized, LCM MARK 8 (LCM-8) ..26 Appendix A: Navy Inactive FleetAmphibious Cargo Ship, USS Charleston (LKA-113) Class.. A-1 Tank Landing Ship, USS Newport (LST-1179) Class .. A-4 Glossary .. Glossary-1 Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book_____ 1 Amphibious Command ShipUSS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) ClassUSS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) PicturedMissionThe assigned mission of the Amphibious command ship(LCC) is to function as the command ship for a jointtask force as the command, control, communications,computers, and intelligence (C4I) platform, or for anaval component commander; numbered fleetcommander; commander, Amphibious task force(CATF); Marine expeditionary force (MEF).

5 General CommentsThis ship is designed primarily to fulfill command andcontrol requirements for surface, subsurface, and airunits engaged in Amphibious assaults. The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is distinctive inappearance. The ship can communicate in frequencyranges from high frequency to super high frequency,including two satellite systems for high speed/highvolume communication links. The various internalcommand areas are highly automated to monitor andprocess information regarding the progress of anamphibious operation. This is the only class of shipdesigned from its hull up to support the command andcontrol needs of the CATF; commander, Landing force(CLF); and tactical air control center (TACC).General InformationLength (overall)620 feetBeam180 feetDisplacement (light load)16,100 tonsDisplacement (full load)18,646 tonsDraft (full load)29 feetMain engine (geared turbine)1 Boilers2 Shaft1 Shaft horsepower22,000 Speed 23 knotsRange at 16 knots13,000 nautical milesStaff accommodations217 Crew accommodations774 Ship's chaplainYes2_____ MCRP 3-31 BLanding Force Lift General InformationCommand and Control SystemsOrganic CraftWeaponsShips in ClassOfficer accommodations56 Enlisted accommodations (E-7)42 Enlisted accommodations (E-6 and below)

6 111 Vehicle square3,015 square feetCargo cube2,175 cubic feetHelicopter Landing spot1JP-5123,510 gallonsCombat Information CenterYesIntegrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare Data SystemNoShip s Signals Exploitation SpaceYesFlag PlotYesLanding Force Operations CenterYesJoint Intelligence Center YesSupporting Arms Coordination CenterYesCommand and Control Systems (Continued)Tactical-Logistical GroupNoHelicopter Logistics Support GroupYesHelicopter Direction CenterYesHelicopter Coordination SectionYesTactical Air Control CenterYesLanding Craft , personnel, large (LCPL)2 Utility boat1 Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS)MK-38 25mm Machine GunM-2 .50 caliber Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)MK-36 Chaff Rocket Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff (SRBOC) LauncherHull NumberShip's Name Home PortLCC-19 USS Blue Ridge Yokosuka, Japan LCC-20 USS Mount Whitney Norfolk, VAAmphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book_____ 3 Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose)USS Tarawa (LHA-1) ClassUSS Nassau (LHA-4) PicturedMissionThe assigned mission of the Amphibious assault ship(general purpose) (LHA) is to embark, deploy, and landelements of a Marine Landing force in an amphibiousassault by helicopters, Landing Craft , amphibiousvehicles, and by combinations of these CommentsThe LHA features include a full length flight deck, alanding Craft docking well (well deck)

7 , large storageareas for vehicles and cargo, and troop berthing for areinforced battalion. An Integrated TacticalAmphibious Warfare Data System (ITAWDS)provides computerized support in control ofhelicopters, aircraft, shipboard weapons, sensors,navigation, Landing Craft , and electronic warfare. The flag spaces are designed to support the staff of theembarked Navy organization ( Amphibious squadron[PHIBRON] or an Amphibious group [PHIBGRU]staff) and the Marine Landing force staff (Marineexpeditionary unit [MEU], Marine expeditionarybrigade [MEB] or Marine expeditionary force [MEF]).The design of the LHA provides an optimumoperational environment for ship's company, embarkedstaffs, troops, and support personnel prior to, during,and after an Amphibious Information Length (overall)820 feetBeam106 feetDisplacement (light load)33,536 tonsDisplacement (full load)39,967 tonsDraft (full load)26 feetMain engines (geared turbine)

8 2 Boilers2 Shafts2 Shaft horsepower70,000 Speed24 knotsRange at 20 knots 10,000 nautical milesBow thrusterYesStaff accommodations87 Crew accommodations956 Ship's chaplainYes4_____ MCRP 3-31 BLanding Force Lift General InformationCommand and Control SystemsMedical CapabilitiesWell DeckThe Landing Craft numbers listed below are the maximumnumber of each type of Craft that can be stowed in the welldeck exclusive of any other Craft . Combinations of thesecraft may be stowed in the well Handling EquipmentOfficer accommodations172 Enlisted accommodations (E-7)59 Enlisted accommodations(E-6 and below)1,672 Surge accommodationsNoVehicle square28,700 square feetCargo cube156,000 cubic feetHelicopter Landing spots9 Operational CH-46 equivalents43JP-5407,600 gallonsMotor gasoline (MOGAS) (embarked bladder)500 gallonsLanding force operational reserve material (LFORM)

9 YesCombat Information CenterYesIntegrated Tactical Amphibious Warfare Data SystemYesShip s Signals Exploitation SpaceYesFlag PlotYesLanding Force Operations CenterYesJoint Intelligence CenterYesSupporting Arms Coordination CenterYesTactical-Logistical GroupYesHelicopter Logistics Support GroupYesTactical Air Control CenterYesHelicopter Direction CenterYesHelicopter Coordination SectionYesOperating rooms4 Post-operative recovery/Intensive care17 bedsIsolation ward4 bedsPrimary care ward48 bedsShip's doctorYesShip's dentistYesLength (to island)107 feet,7 inchesLength (overall)249 feet,8 inchesWidth76 feetHeight26 feet,8 inchesLCAC1 Landing Craft , utility (LCU)4 Forklift (electric/4-ton)1 Forklifts (diesel/6-ton)8 Forklifts (rough terrain/10,000 pounds)2 Aircraft tow tractors (4 -ton)6 Aircraft spotting dollies (6-ton)3 Aircraft elevators (40-ton aft/20-ton portside)2 Longitudinal pallet conveyor1 Monorails (2 hooks, each with 3-ton capacity)3 Amphibious Ships and Landing Craft Data Book_____ 5 Organic Craft WeaponsShips in ClassLCPL2 Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS)Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) SystemMK-36 Chaff Rocket Super Rapid Booming Offboard Chaff (SRBOC) LauncherMK-38 25mm Machine GunM-2.

10 50 caliber Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)Hull NumberShip's NameHome PortLHA-1 USS TarawaSan Diego, CALHA-2 USS SaipanNorfolk, VALHA-3 USS Belleau WoodSan Diego, CALHA-4 USS NassauNorfolk, VALHA-5 USS PeleliuSan Diego, CA 6_____ MCRP 3-31 BAmphibious Assault Ship (Multipurpose)USS Wasp (LHD-1) ClassUSS Essex (LHD-2) PicturedMissionThe assigned mission of the Amphibious assault ship(multipurpose) (LHD) is to embark, deploy, and landelements of a Marine Landing force in an amphibiousassault by helicopters, Landing Craft , amphibiousvehicles, and by combinations of these methods. TheLHD is assigned a secondary mission of sea controland power projection in which additional fixed-wingvertical/short takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) aircraftand helicopters are CommentsThe LHD incorporates the original design features ofthe LHA.