MILNET: U.S.S. Duluth (LPD-6)
U.S.S Duluth
This "Austin-class" amphibious transport dock is an "all-purpose" ship which
employs the
"balanced load" concept. DULUTH is capable of carrying troops, cargo and tanks.
In addition
it operates troop and cargo-carrying helicopters to project assault forces
inland in support of
the beachhead from the helicopter landing platform. It has the capability to
simultaneously
launch amphibious assaults by sea and air. The LPD combines the functions of
four different
classes of ships; the dock landing ship (LSD), the tank landing ship (LST),
the attack transport
(LPA), and the attack cargo ship (LKA).
Her sister ships are:
- Austin LPD-4
- Ogden LPD-5
- Cleveland LPD-7
- Dubuque LPD-8
- Denver LPD-9
- Juneau LPD-10
- Shreveport LPD-12
- Nashville LPD-13
- Trenton LPD-14
- Ponce LPD-15
General Characteristics Austin class
Builders:
LPD 4-6, New York Naval Shipyard
LPD 7 and LPD 8, Ingalls Shipbuilding
LPD 9, 10, 12-15, Lockheed Shipbuilding
Unit cost: $235-419 million
Power plant: Two boilers, two steam turbines, two shafts, 24,000 shaft horsepower
Length: 570 feet (171 meters)
Beam: 84 feet (25.2 meters)
Displacement: Approximately 17,000 tons (17,272.82 metric tons) full load
Speed: 21 knots (24.2 mph, 38.7 kph)
Aircraft: Up to six CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
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