The Navy says that the LPD-17 San Antonio and the rest of that class of new amphibious warfare ships will be delayed; San Antonio will not enter service until Nov 2004. The LPD-17 is intended to replace the LPD-4 class, and LHA-1 class, the LSD-36 class, and the last LST-1179 tank landing ship. The Navy is studying ways to keep the LPD-4s in service until the new ships arrive.--Stephen V Cole
