I've been mulling why bloggers (myself included...) always react to situations as if only we are aware of the issue.
Case in point is the
LPD-17 and how it will fit with the
LHA-6. When the USS America plans first came out and it was without a well deck, I literally went high and to the right. What idiot in the US Navy would design an amphibious assault ship without a well deck? What good will it do? How will it fit into an Amphibious Ready Group? What about distributed operations from the sea and the vaunted mini-ARG concepts I keep hearing about?
But with the new Marine Corps Operating Concept, its starting to make sense. With the numbers of LPD-17 class ships...its starting to make sense. With the move toward LPD-17's and next gen LSD-X becoming the centerpieces of the amphibious fleet its making even more sense (especially if the LSD is built on the LPD hull form).
The F-35 will require a practically new operating standard when it comes online. Its size has required revamped aviation spaces and the need for an aviation centric amphib is clear. We will gain a warplane of tremendous flexibility. The USS America class will be a platform that will enable it to demonstrate its abilities in full and it still has room for a battalion of Marines in either small boats or helos.
But my real excitement lies in the small picture to the right. We're gaining a fast (able to keep up with a carrier strike group), flexible (able to land Marines by AAVs, LCVPs, LCACs or helos--many helos at that...) and dedicated amphib.
The SecDef and Admiral Mullen might be stuck on stupid with these partnership missions but its still sea time and its still getting Marines back aboard ship.
One last thing and the LPD-17 class will be perfect (sorry for all the critics but the engine problems and engineer snafus are really in the past...they've been ironed out)...either a 5 inch gun or provisions for NLOS missiles will take it to the next level.
Lastly for the small amphib crowd I kindly remind you that we've been down that road before and the results (from talking to Marines that rode on them) is that the
LPH-2 class of ships were good for the times but woefully inadequate for today's equipment load outs.