The normal modern method uses aircraft to deliver people and landing craft to deliver vehicles and stores. Portable air defences and urban small-arms fire can make the helicopter route dangerous, so vertical lift does not remove the need to assess the threat. Troops inserted well inland still need armour, ammunition, fuel, and other heavy support to arrive at a useful tempo. Flight decks and well docks are complementary systems rather than competing answers to the same task.
Chapter · 38:28-41:15
Helicopters move troops; landing craft move the weight
A helicopter assault can put troops ashore quickly, but heavy equipment still depends on the slower ship-to-shore lift.