It was slow posting on the blog over the weekend, it was our simulation weekend and it got fairly involved, more players than usual but a lot of fun. As usual no specific details of the game itself, but unlike usual since I haven't read much of anything in several days and have no idea what is happening in the real world, I thought I might share some of what we were fooling around with.Last week we discussed a bit about the LPD-17 being a suitable replacement for the LSD(X), and to those ends it fit very well with our gaming this weekend which was an amphibious assault involving 3 MEUs. It is essentially a replay of an old scenario, but the old scenario involved 1 LHA-1, 2 LHD-1s, 3 LPD-4s, 2 LSD-41s, and 1 LSd 49. The new scenario was actually two scenarios with two different opponents. Listed are base statistics stolen from online sources, specifically used was this CRS report, this powerpoint from Jim Stock, this old CBO report, this interesting GAO report, and other traditional research sources.
L Class Ship Metrics:* LPD-17 has a specialized vehicle deck for the EFV platoon. AAV platoon has been known to replace all LCACs or LCUs on LPD-4
LHA-1
Vehicle Square: 28,700 ft2
Cargo Cube: 156,000 ft3
VSTOL Spots: 42
LCACs: 1 LCAC or 4 LCU
LHA-6
Vehicle Square: 19,112 ft2
Cargo Cube: 124,596 ft3
VSTOL Spots: 63
LCACs: 0
LHD-1
Vehicle Square: 29,928 ft2
Cargo Cube: 145,963 ft3
VSTOL Spots: 45
LCACs: 3 LCAC or 2 LCU
LPD-4
Vehicle Square: 14,000 ft2
Cargo Cube: 51,000 ft3
VSTOL Spots: 1
LCACs: 1 LCAC or 1 LCU
LPD-17
Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2
Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3
VSTOL Spots: 1
LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
LSD-41
Vehicle Square: 8,970 ft3
Cargo Cube: 11,831 ft2
VSTOL Spots: 0
LCACs: 4 LCAC or 3 LCU
LSD-49
Vehicle Square: 20,200 ft2
Cargo Cube: 67,600 ft3
VSTOL Spots: 0
LCACs: 2 or 1 LCU
2 MEU TodayThe first scenario assumes a new ESG mix: 8 ESGs with 1 LHD-1 and 2 LPD-17s each (1 extra LPD-17 for forward deployed not simulated) and 4 ESGs with 1 LHA(R) and 2 LPD-17s each. In this scenario the Navy would build a total of 25 LPD-17s total, a substantial investment that results in only the first 2 DDG-1000s built and no MPF(F), only chartered MSC vessels for support and legacy MPF.
1 LHA: Vehicle Square: 28,700 ft2, Cargo Cube: 156,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 42, LCACs: 1 LCAC or 4 LCU
1 LPD 4: Vehicle Square: 14,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 51,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 1 LCAC or 1 LCU
1 LPD 41: Vehicle Square: 8,970 ft3, Cargo Cube: 11,831 ft2, VSTOL Spots: 0, LCACs: 4 LCAC or 3 LCU
Totals: Vehicle Square: 51,670 ft2, Cargo Cube: 218,831 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 43, LCACs: 6 LCAC or 8 LCU
1 LHD: Vehicle Square: 29,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 145,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 45, LCACs: 3 LCAC or 2 LCU
1 LPD 4: Vehicle Square: 14,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 51,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 1 LCAC or 1 LCU
1 LSD 49: Vehicle Square: 20,200 ft2, Cargo Cube: 67,600 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 0, LCACs: 2 or 1 LCU
Totals: Vehicle Square: 64,128 ft2, Cargo Cube: 264,563 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 46, LCACs: 6 LCAC or 4 LCU
2 MEU Totals: Vehicle Square: 115,798 ft2, Cargo Cube: 483,394 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 89, LCACs: 12 LCAC or 12 LCU
1 Additional MEU
1 LHD: Vehicle Square: 29,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 145,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 45, LCACs: 3 LCAC or 2 LCU
1 LPD 4: Vehicle Square: 14,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 51,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 1 LCAC or 1 LCU
1 LPD 41: Vehicle Square: 8,970 ft3, Cargo Cube: 11,831 ft2, VSTOL Spots: 0, LCACs: 4 LCAC or 3 LCU
Totals: Vehicle Square: 52,898 ft2, Cargo Cube: 208,794 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 46, LCACs: 8 LCAC or 6 LCU
3 MEU Totals: Vehicle Square: 168,696 ft2, Cargo Cube: 692,188 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 135, LCACs: 20 LCAC or 18 LCU
With LPD 17 as LSD(X) programIn this scenario, the player choose 1 LPD-17 from each ESG to carry a LCU, resulting in 12 LCACs, 3 LCUs, and 84 EFVs. Having 6 Marine rifle companies able to deploy from 6 EFV platoons is simply a devastating first wave on day 1. The player used all 12 LCACs to support the EFVs with LAVs, using the aviation to move recon units. The range of the MV-22 and Joint Strike Fighter is very disruptive because it allows the Marines to be flexible while Naval aviation concentrates on rolling back A2AD networks.
1 LHD: Vehicle Square: 29,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 145,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 45, LCACs: 3 LCAC or 2 LCU
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
Totals: Vehicle Square: 79,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 215,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 47, LCACs: 7 LCAC or 4 LCU; 28 EFV*
1 LHD: Vehicle Square: 29,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 145,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 45, LCACs: 3 LCAC or 2 LCU
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
Totals: Vehicle Square: 79,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 215,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 47, LCACs: 7 LCAC or 4 LCU; 28 EFV*
2 MEU Totals: Vehicle Square: 159,856 ft2, Cargo Cube: 431,926 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 94, LCACs: 14 LCAC or 8 LCU; 56 EFV*
Additional MEU Option #1
1 LHA 6: Vehicle Square: 19,112 ft2, Cargo Cube: 124,596 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 63, LCACs: 0
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
Totals: Vehicle Square: 69,112 ft2, Cargo Cube: 194,596 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 65, LCACs: 4 LCAC or 2 LCU; 28 EFV*
3 MEU Totals: Vehicle Square: 228,968 ft2, Cargo Cube: 626,522 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 159, LCACs: 18 LCAC or 10 LCU; 84 EFV*
However, lack of control in the littorals resulted in dangerous problems for naval forces starting on day 2, resulting in successful counter attacks.
The second scenario assumes a new ESG mix: 8 ESGs with 1 LHD-1 and 2 LPD-17s each (1 extra LPD-17 for forward deployed not simulated) and 4 supplement ESGs with 1 LHA(R) and all 12 legacy LSDs. In this scenario the Navy would build 17 LPD-17s total, a less substantial investment that results in only the first 2 DDG-1000s built, trading the other 5 DDG-1000s for a total of 8 more LPD-17s beyond the first 9.
With LPD 17 as LSD(X) programIn this scenario, the player choose to 3 LCUs on each LPD 41, and utilized the LSD 49 in the role of a littoral combat ship for all three mission modules simultaneously. The result was 14 LCACs, 6 LCUs, with 56 EFVs. Player utilized MV-22 and CH-53K for 2 sorties each on day 1 moving light forces to land, and opted for special forces operations only on day 2. Deployment of surface amphibious assault came on day 3. Enemy was unable to mount a counter-attack due to excessive use of unmanned sensor platform saturation in the littorals and decision to stand amphibious forces out to 150 miles for first 36 hours. Fewer causalities were taken but it took more time to achieve all objectives due to no heavy ground forces until after day 4. A lot of JSF and Naval aviation CAS the first 3 days.
1 LHD: Vehicle Square: 29,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 145,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 45, LCACs: 3 LCAC or 2 LCU
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
Totals: Vehicle Square: 79,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 215,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 47, LCACs: 7 LCAC or 4 LCU; 28 EFV*
1 LHD: Vehicle Square: 29,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 145,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 45, LCACs: 3 LCAC or 2 LCU
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
1 LPD 17: Vehicle Square: 25,000 ft2, Cargo Cube: 35,000 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 1, LCACs: 2 LCAC or 1 LCU; 14 EFV*
Totals: Vehicle Square: 79,928 ft2, Cargo Cube: 215,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 47, LCACs: 7 LCAC or 4 LCU; 28 EFV*
2 MEU Totals: Vehicle Square: 159,856 ft2, Cargo Cube: 431,926 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 94, LCACs: 14 LCAC or 8 LCU; 56 EFV*
Additional MEU Option #2
1 LHA 6: Vehicle Square: 19,112 ft2, Cargo Cube: 124,596 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 63, LCACs: 0
2 LPD 41: Vehicle Square: 17,940 ft3, Cargo Cube: 23,662 ft2, VSTOL Spots: 0, LCACs: 8 LCAC or 6 LCU
1 LSD 49: Vehicle Square: 20,200 ft2, Cargo Cube: 67,600 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 0, LCACs: 2 or 1 LCU
Totals: Vehicle Square: 57,252 ft2, Cargo Cube: 215,963 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 63, LCACs: 10 LCAC or 7 LCU
3 MEU Totals: Vehicle Square: 217,108 ft2, Cargo Cube: 647,889 ft3, VSTOL Spots: 157, LCACs: 24 LCAC or 15 LCU; 56 EFV*
For the assault support, 6 MPF(F) ships are used in the scenario (1 T-AE, 1 T-AKR, and 2 JHSVs for people, and 2 T-AKEs) which deploy with the 3rd MEU. This effectively removed the need for the assault role of the LSD, and with INLS the 6 LCUs from the 2 LSD 41s was able to move substantially more heavy forces from sea to shore starting on day 4, specifically MRAPs and M1A1s. The obvious result was Marines had heavy equipment faster than otherwise would be available for only 3 MEUs.
Naval forces for both scenarios included 1 CG, 2 DDGs, and 4 LCS for each ESG, and 2 CSGs with 1 CVN, 1 CG, and 3 DDGs making up each strike group. Total naval forces were 1 LHA(R), 2 CVNs, 2 LHDs, 4 LPD-17s, 5 CGs, 12 DDGs, 12 LCS, 4 SSNs, 1 SSGN, and the other 2 L class ships of the 3rd ESG. MPF(F) had no additional escort, begins scenario deployed with 3rd ESG which also includes SSGN instead of SSN.
Does this mean anything? Probably not to 99% of you, but for you game modelers have fun.
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