Navy LPD-17 Amphibious Ship Procurement: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress [January 9, 2012]   [open pdf - 671KB]

"This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the San Antonio (LPD- 17) class amphibious ship program. The Navy's proposed FY2012 budget requested funding for the procurement of an 11th and final San Antonio (LPD-17) class amphibious ship. Issues for Congress in 2011 included whether to approve, reject, or modify the Navy's proposed funding request for the 11th LPD-17, whether to encourage or direct the Navy to use the LPD-17 design as the basis for the design of the LSD(X) class of amphibious ships that the Navy wants to begin procuring in FY2017, and--particularly if the LPD-17 design is used as the basis for the LSD(X)--whether to fund the procurement of a 12th LPD-17 in FY2014 or FY2015. Congress's decisions on these issues can affect, among other things, Navy and Marine Corps funding requirements and capabilities, and the shipbuilding industrial base."