Austin-class amphibious transport dock

The Austin class was an enlarged version of the preceding {{sclass|Raleigh|amphibious transport dock|4}}. Designed under project SCB 187B, the ships are about {{convert|47|ft|m|abbr=on}} longer which increased the displacement by some 3,300 tons.Friedman, Amphibious Ships, pp. 365 The dock is as large as that of the Raleigh-class. In front of the dock was a 70m long raised level to park vehicles which was connected via a ramp to the flight deck. The ramp ended in a new telescoping hangar. Although the flight deck had room for up to six CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, the hangar was only a temporary shelter for a single helicopter and not a permanent facility.Stefan Terzibaschitsch: 50 Jahre amphibische Schiffe der U.S. Navy. Leonberg, Germany, 1995, p. 40. The propulsion consists of two Foster Wheeler boilers (600 psi), powering two De Laval GT turbines, providing 12,000 SHP each for the two propellers.{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lpd-4.htm|title=LPD 4 Austin class |work=GlobalSecurity.org |date=30 July 2022 |access-date=30 July 2022}}

The reason for creating a Cleveland/Trenton sub-class is that the last nine ships of the class were built as flagships for amphibious ready groups with an additional deck above the bridge and accommodations for additional 90 personnel. The SPS-40 radar is also placed higher on the mast. Otherwise the ships are identical. Originally the ships were armed only with four 3-inch/50-caliber gun Mark 33 twin mounts. These were later removed and the weapon stations were used to fit two Phalanx CIWS.Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Seemacht USA. Bechtermünz Verlang, Augsburg, Germany, 1997, ISBN 3860475762, pp. 576.

The last ship of the class, LPD-16, while authorized, was cancelled before being constructed. {{USS|Coronado|AGF-11|6}} served for 10 years as an LPD before she was converted into a command ship. She kept her hull number and was redesignated AGF-11. From 2012 to 2017, {{USS|Ponce|LPD-15|6}} served with the United States Military Sealift Command as a forward base ship with helicopter facilities, which was designated "Afloat Forward Staging Base, Interim".

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{{Naval Vessel Register}}

• {{cite book |last=Friedman|first=Norman |author-link= |title=U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History |publisher=United States Naval Institute |year=2002|location=Annapolis, Maryland |url= |doi= |isbn=1-55750-250-1}}

{{commons category|Austin class amphibious transport dock ships}}

• [https://archive.today/20121205105254/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=600&ct=4 U.S. Navy Fact File: Amphibious Transport Dock - LPD]
• [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/lpd-4.htm Federation of American Scientists: LPD 4 Austin class]
• [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lpd-4.htm GlobalSecurity.org: LPD 4 Austin class]

{{Austin class landing platform dock}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Austin Class Amphibious Transport Dock}}

Austin class amphibious transport dock

Austin class amphibious transport dock

Austin class amphibious transport dock

Category:Amphibious warfare vessel classes