Charleston 1979
Charleston 1990
Charleston 2000
| No | Name | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comm | Fate |
| AKA113, 1.1969- LKA113 | Charleston | 583 | Newport News SB&DD | 5.12.1966 | 2.12.1967 | 14.12.1968 | stricken 8.2015 |
| LKA114 | Durham | 584 | Newport News SB&DD | 10.7.1967 | 29.3.1968 | 24.5.1969 | stricken 8.2015 |
| LKA115 | Mobile | 585 | Newport News SB&DD | 15.1.1968 | 19.10.1968 | 29.9.1969 | stricken 8.2015 |
| LKA116 | St. Louis | 586 | Newport News SB&DD | 3.4.1968 | 4.1.1969 | 22.11.1969 | stricken 8.2015 |
| LKA117 | El Paso | 592 | Newport News SB&DD | 22.10.1968 | 17.5.1969 | 17.1.1970 | stricken 8.2015 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
|
|
Displacement full, t |
20700 |
|
Length, m |
175.5 |
|
Breadth, m |
25.0 |
|
Draught, m |
7.80 |
|
No of shafts |
1 |
|
Machinery |
1 set Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 2 Combustion Engineering boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
22000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
20 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 9600(16) |
|
Armament |
4 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, helicopter deck |
| Military load | 226 troops, 5280 t of cargo, 4 LCM(8), 2 LCPL |
|
Electronic equipment |
SPS-10F, 2x Mk 34 radars |
|
Complement |
334 |
Project history: The first assault cargo ships specifically designed for the role, these ships were built under the FY65 (four units) and FY66 programme. They are considerably larger than the 'Mariner' and 'Victory' class conversions they succeed. Designations were changed from AKA to LKA in January 1969. They carry nine LCM as deck cargo, launching them with two 78t capacity booms; there are also two 40t and eight 15t cranes. There is a helicopter pad aft, but no hangar. They carry 226 troops.
Modernizations: 1977-1978, all: - 1 x 2 - 76/50, 2x Mk 34 radars; + LN-66 radar
1990-1992, all: + 2 x 6 - 20/76 Mk 15 Phalanx, SPS-67, 2x Mk 90 radars, SLQ-32(v)1 ECM, 4x Mk 36 SRBOC decoy RL
Naval service: No significant events.
St. Louis 1980
© Ivan Gogin, 2015-16