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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Blue Ridge Class |
| Builders |
|
| Operators | United States Navy |
| In commission | 1970 - Present |
| Planned | 3 |
| Completed | 2 |
| Canceled | 1 |
| Active | 2 |
| General characteristics[1] | |
| Displacement | 18,874 long tons (19,176.89 metric tons) full load |
| Length | 634 ft (193 m) |
| Beam | 108 ft (33 m) |
| Draft | 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m) full load |
| Propulsion | Two boilers, one geared turbine, one shaft; 22,000 hp (16,000 kW) |
| Speed | 23 kn (26 mph; 43 km/h) |
| Range | 13,000 nmi (24,000 km; 15,000 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h) |
| Complement | 564 enlisted, 34 officers |
| Armament | |
| Aircraft carried | All helicopters except theCH-53 Sea Stallion can be carried |
TheBlue Ridge class is the first and only class ofamphibious command and control ships to be specifically designed as such from thekeel up.
TheBlue Ridge class resulted from almost seven years of planning and construction work. Under the designationSCB-248 (later SCB-400.65), the hull of theIwo Jima-classamphibious assault ship was used as the basis of the design due to the flight deck's ability to distance antennas to minimize interference between the ships' multiple communications systems and to the deck's ability to act as aground plane; the LPH island was replaced with a small centralized superstructure.[2]
As designed, theBlue Ridge class was capable of supporting the staff of both the Commander of an Amphibious Task Force and the staff of the Commanding General of the Landing Force. The ships were the most advanced joint amphibious command-and-control centers constructed at the time, due to their advanced computer systems, extensive communications package and modern surveillance and detection systems.[3]
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At the time of their commissionings, the ships of theBlue Ridge class had the distinction of carrying the world's most sophisticated electronics suites, thirty percent larger than that of theaircraft carrierUSS John F. Kennedy, which had been the most complex. They were fitted with a "main battery" of computers, communications gear, and other electronic facilities to fulfill their mission as command ships. An advanced communications system was also an integral part of the ships' radical new design. Through an automated patch panel and computer controlled switching matrix her crew could use any combination of communication equipment desired.[4]
US Navy long-range communications were heavily reliant onhigh frequency radio systems in the 1970s and have evolved to predominantly satellite communications in the 2000s. This was illustrated by thelong wire antennas,discone antennas, and directional HFyagi orlog-periodic antenna initially installed on the class and later removed and replaced with a number of satellite communications antennas.
Besides small arms, theBlue Ridge class was initially armed with two twin Mark 333"/50 caliber guns at commissioning, though they have since been removed. They also carried two Mark 25 launchers and electronics for theBasic Point Defense Missile System (BPDMS) which was added sometime in the 1970s and removed in the 1990s. Two 20 mmPhalanx CIWS systems were added in the 1980s for point defense. In recent years they have also carriedMk 38 25 mmBushmaster cannons.
TheBlue Ridge class consists of two ships. Originally six were requested, three were planned, and only two were built.[5]
| Name | Hull Number | Builder | Ordered | Laid Down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge | LCC-19 | Philadelphia Naval Shipyard | 31 December 1964 | 27 February 1967 | 4 January 1969 | 14 November 1970 | Active in service |
| Mount Whitney | LCC-20 | Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company | 10 August 1966 | 8 January 1969 | 8 January 1970 | 16 January 1971 | Active in service |
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