Landing Platform Dock: Difference between revisions
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz (New page: {{subpages}}) |
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{subpages}} | {{subpages}} | ||
Generally the largest type of [[amphibious warfare]] ships being built today, '''landing platform dock (LPD)''' vessels combine the features of several previous types. The "dock" refers to a well deck, or a below-decks compartment that can be flooded and drained, allowing smaller landing craft to go in and out under their own power. In contrast, the "platform" is a flight deck that supports a substantial number of [[helicopter]]s and, usually, short-takeoff-vertical-landing (STOVL) aircraft. | |||
Second World War amphibious vessels were of two basic types. One, such as [[attack cargo ship]]s, carried smaller landing craft at the height of the main deck, and lowered them to the water. While it was typically the smaller landing craft that could beach themselves to unload, some seagoing types, such as the [[landing ship tank]], also had beaching capability. | |||
Postwar types included pure helicopter carriers, as well as [[dock landing ship]]s with a well deck. Some early well decks were open to the sky; the LPD and earlier [[landing platform helicopter]] closed the well deck with a flight deck. These vessels also have complex [[combat loading]] systems that allow supplies and personnel to be moved efficiently to the flight or well deck. | |||
Revision as of 19:14, 7 April 2009
Generally the largest type of amphibious warfare ships being built today, landing platform dock (LPD) vessels combine the features of several previous types. The "dock" refers to a well deck, or a below-decks compartment that can be flooded and drained, allowing smaller landing craft to go in and out under their own power. In contrast, the "platform" is a flight deck that supports a substantial number of helicopters and, usually, short-takeoff-vertical-landing (STOVL) aircraft.
Second World War amphibious vessels were of two basic types. One, such as attack cargo ships, carried smaller landing craft at the height of the main deck, and lowered them to the water. While it was typically the smaller landing craft that could beach themselves to unload, some seagoing types, such as the landing ship tank, also had beaching capability.
Postwar types included pure helicopter carriers, as well as dock landing ships with a well deck. Some early well decks were open to the sky; the LPD and earlier landing platform helicopter closed the well deck with a flight deck. These vessels also have complex combat loading systems that allow supplies and personnel to be moved efficiently to the flight or well deck.