The Whidbey Island–class dock landing ship is a dock landing ship of the United States Navy. Introduced to fleet service in 1985
According to a contract released by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on December 3, 2020, General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. – San Diego, San Diego, California, is awarded a $100,040,336 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of the USS Comstock (LSD 45) Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship fiscal 2021 docking selected restricted availability. This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of the USS Comstock (LSD 45).
The USS Comstock (LSD-45) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship in service with the United States Navy. She was laid down on 27 October 1986, by the Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, Louisiana; launched on 15 January 1988; and commissioned on 3 February 1990, under the command of Commander R. H. Howe, USN. At first USS Comstock had an all-male crew, but soon became the first United States Navy combatant ship to have a fully integrated crew of male and female sailors.
The Whidbey Island Class ships were built to transport and launch air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC). The ships also provide docking and repair facilities for LCACs and for a range of conventional military, utility and personnel landing craft and also provide landing facilities for helicopters. She has a crew of 30 officers and 300 sailors and can embark up to up to 504 marines. The ship has a landing platform for two Sikorsky Sea Stallion helicopters.
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship is a dock landing ship of the United States Navy. Introduced to fleet service in 1985, this class of ship features a large well deck for the transport of United States Marine Corps (USMC) vehicles and a large flight deck for the landing of helicopters or V-22 Ospreys. A dock landing ship (also called landing ship, dock or LSD) is an amphibious warfare ship with a well dock to transport and launch landing craft and amphibious vehicles.
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship is powered by four 4 Colt Industries 16-cylinder diesel engines which provide 33,000 shp. (25,000 kW) to two shafts. The ship can reach a top speed of 20 kn. (37 km/h; 23 mph).
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship is armed with two 25 mm Mk 38 automatic cannons, two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Close-In Weapon Systems mounts two Rolling Airframe Missile, and six .50 caliber M2HB machine guns.
