An amphibious assault ship must approach the coast and remain near predictable landing areas while carrying troops, ammunition, and landing forces. That makes it easier to locate and exposes it to a different risk profile from a carrier operating farther offshore. Conventional propulsion also allows entry to ports that restrict nuclear-powered vessels. Avoiding reactors lowers the cost of each hull and reduces the consequences of building a larger amphibious fleet. These ships are not expendable, but their mission requires a different balance of survivability, access, and replacement cost from a fleet carrier.
Notable Point · 55:48-57:56
Why amphibious assault ships remain conventionally powered
Amphibious ships accept gas-turbine propulsion because their shoreward mission, port requirements, cost, and replacement logic differ from those of fleet carriers.