Fort Valley Class Landing Platform Dock (NTU)
The 8 ships of the Fort Valley-class are custom designed Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) which combine large floodable well decks with a significant flight deck and command and control facilities. These ships use embarked LCUs to move vehicles ashore. They carry more vehicles than a typical LHA but significantly less air assets. Unlike the preceding Austin-class LPDs, the Fort Valley-class came armed with a MK26 twin-armed GMLS for self-defence. Built between 1976 and 1982, these ships would serve to provide organic AAW defence for amphibious warfare surface groups allowing for fewer dedicated escorts without a loss in capability compared to a standard LPD. Ultimately these ships would serve faithfully alongside the Austin-class LPDs until their eventual retirements in the early 2000s.
Right so this was a pretty simple one, saw the empty space up at the bow of the Austin and figured it would be the perfect fit for a MK26, and thus, the Fort Valleys were born. Eight ships of the class are included: LPD-16 Fort Valley, LPD-17 Greenfield, LPD-18 Huntington, LPD-19 Fort Kent, LPD-20 Oakland, LPD-21 Somerville, LPD-22 Sun Valley, and LPD-23 Santa Cruz. I have also included a VLS variant with late model Standards and improved overall capabilities from the MK26 variant. With that, I will leave it here, don’t really have too much to say about these ships, enjoy!
