LP-X Korea's new amphibious ship

Being 200 meters long, 31 meters wide and displacing 14,000 tons [18,000 fully loaded], the ship will carry 700 troops, 10 CH-60 helicopters, seven amphibious vehicles, six tanks and two small landing boats. The ships can be used in a wide range of activities, including UN peacekeeping operations and disaster relief. For this reason, the LP-X is expected to usher in a new era of expanded Korean naval prowess, since it can be used for relief, transport, and other peacetime activities.

With a light displacement of 14,000 tons the LP-X is not only be the largest vessel in the Korean Navy but also substantially larger than the similar Osumi-class landing ship (8,900 tons) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, and with a larger payload capacity as well, making it the regions largest of its kind. Previously, the largest ship in the Korean Navy was the 9,000-ton support vessel Cheonji.

The LPX is a high-speed amphibious ship, based on the concept of "over-the- horizon assault." As the name indicates, the "over-the-horizon assault" comprises a military operation in which an amphibious landing operation is conducted with high-speed air-cushioned vehicles and helicopters from beyond the horizon, where they can’t be detected or attacked by the enemy. The conventional LST (landing ship tank) has to approach the coastline for landing, at the risk of being fired upon by the enemy.

The LP-X can carry a battalion of marines (about 700 men), 10 armored vehicles, up to 200 vehicles, 15 helicopters, and two LCAC hovercrafts capable of landing on enemy shores doing 40 knots -- a mix that enables it to launch troop landings from both sea and air.

The hull consists of four decks, this highest of which is the 1st deck [the flight deck], with the bridge superstructure. The flight deck can accomodated five UH-60 helicopters simultaneously. When the budget situation is improved, there is the possibilty that the NH-90 or the E101 Merlin will be adopted. An airplane hanger can be added for the UH-60 transportation helicopter and the AH-1 attack helicopter. An airplane shed spanning the lower deck is planned with multilayer structure and 2 formation elevator and 1 cadence elevator.

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Hmm it seems South Korea wants to develop a good amphibious warfare capability, these ships would definetly help in a war with North Korea. Intresting pictures, I imagine the vessel will also be pretty stealthy, in least from the concept picks it looks that way.

I don't get it, is the entire ship amphibious (I doubt it) or just the 2 small landing craft?

Otherwise interesting article.

It is talking about the craft inside the ship. Things like hovercraft and amphibious armoured vehicles.

Its more like an Amphibious support ship, it carries the equipment needed for an amphibious assault. Like transport helicopters, attack helicopters, those kinds of things. Its basically a improved helicopter carrier.

Look like a rip off of HMS Ocean......IMO....

There are some pics of the HMS Ocean if you guys were wondering why he though that. I have to agree with him, the ship does look a lot like HMS Ocean.