List of Landing Ship/Platform Dock classes (L)

Amphibious Ships

LST Landing Ship, Tank: Built by hundreds during WWII with the main feature of bow doors and beaching capability to carry and deliver tanks and vehicles shore-to-shore . Only in 1969 a new concept was introduced with the Newport class: In order to gain a sustained speed of 20 knots the traditional bow doors were replaced by a ramp operated over the bow and supported by twin derrick arms.

LSD Landing Ship, Dock: Introduced during WWII to carry landing craft which would them be launched directly from the ships well-deck or dock: a water-side site at which ships tie up in order to discharge and take in smaller crafts and amphibious vehicles expeditiously. Modern LSD docks are big enough to accomodate several Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles.

LPD Amphibious Transport Dock (sometimes called Landing Platform Dock): Introduced after the Korean War combining the capabilities of ship classes APA (troops transport), AKA (cargo ship) and LSDs. They transport and land troops and vehicles ashore with their landing crafts and helicopters. British Fearless class usage during the Falklands/Malvinas war is a classic example.

Assault Carriers : LPH, LHA, LHD: Flat top decks which carry and land troops mainly using helicopters. Some classes also have a dock combining the LPD capabilities. They could also operate V/STOL aircraft (like the Harrier) in the support role.

Listed separately are Helicopters Carriers ( Non Amphibious Ships ) as Flat top decks which carry helicopters but normally not landing troops.