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USAV GEN Frank S. Besson, Jr. (LSV-1)

1988 MODERN NAVY

History

Today, up to 90 percent of U.S. Armed Forces shipments are shipped by sea logistics. Army ships assist in deploying Army and joint forces during combat opening missions or supply operations. The Army has built nearly 300 ships for a variety of missions, from tugboats to LSVs.

The main purpose is to transport all the tonnage needed to support deployed troops through fixed ports or beaches inaccessible to deep-draft ships.

In 1982, the U.S. Army decided to formally designate sea vessels to be built, used, and operated by Army personnel. So far, the U.S. Army has only identified support ships by the alphanumeric IDs assigned to them.

The logistics ships required to support military operations at sea are divided into three types - LVS (Logistics Support Vessel), FS (Freight Supply Vessel) and BDL (Beach Discharge Vessel). The decision in 1984 was to group all genres into one category - this is LVS.

The General Frank S. Besson class is a Logistics Support Vessel (LSV) capable of performing a range of mission types from delivering humanitarian aid to island nations such as the Caribbean to serving in the Middle East such as Iraq. The Besson class is the U.S. Army's largest support ship and is designed to provide the Army with a global strategic capability to provide vehicles and cargo with a maximum gross tonnage of 2,000 short tons (although some ships in the class have greater capacity).

The boat has a flat bottom with bow and stern ramps and is capable of running aground in water as low as 6 feet. Operations in underdeveloped countries often have limited ports and capabilities to meet military maritime transport missions. Vessels that best support this use have shallow drafts, are capable of carrying a variety of cargoes and stay on platforms for extended periods of time. LSV is designed to support this task.

As advertised, the bow is streamlined, allowing the boat to maneuver in rough water. Looking at the boat from the front, the bow looks almost flat and the seakeeping of the punt seems to be poor, average at best. She seems perfect for coastal missions and big river use, but probably not for that "dark blue" water travel.

However, her crew has announced two voyages to Iraq, each traversing 45 days from her home port.

The ship has a cargo space of 10,500 sq. ft. that can accommodate any vehicle currently in the U.S. Army inventory and is capable of transporting 26 main battle tanks or 30 M2/M3 Bradley tanks. The ship can accommodate more than 45 Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs) or 37 M1127 Forwards as an in-theater liner transport ro-ro cargo ship when the mission calls for it.

In humanitarian missions, the cargo capacity can accommodate 48 or more 20-foot double-deck cargo containers and provides power connections for reefer container handling when necessary.

During Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, Army ships delivered tanks, ammunition and food to many locations along the Persian Gulf coast.

Overland Logistics Tasks (LOTS) where LSVs move at 12 knots or less means they can't get anywhere fast. The U.S. Army deemed it necessary and developed the TSV (or Theater Support Vessel). The TSV will accomplish the same tasks as the LSV, but with a larger capacity (1,250 tonnes) and a helipad for larger military helicopters, as well as a two-part hydraulic vehicle ramp that allows for quick loading and unloading of vehicles from or behind.

Port enabled off/starboard side. The biggest change is that it is four times faster than LSV. Other advantages include the ability to maneuver better than LSVs at greater distances offshore, while also reducing the number of ships required for a specific mission.

In 2002, the Army leased Spearhead from an Australian company. If all goes well, the fleet should grow to 17 ships.

Today, like the men and women who came before them in the past, U.S. Army soldiers must be resupplied with ammunition, food, spare parts, and more to sustain future missions. The U.S. Army ships that meet this logistical need are exactly what the doctors ordered.