viability of using the T-AKE-1 design

I don't think this is possible.

The San Antonio class ships are improving in quality..finally..as they are being commissioned. The USN and the builder Northrup Grumman are working out the bugs and making repairs. I think in the long run the LPD-17 class will perform well.

I don't think you could possibly rearrange the machinery spaces of a T-AKE to accommodate a well deck. One might as well start from scratch with a new design, it would require as much money to do. I agree with Popeye's assessment.
There is a public law that requires USN combat ships to be built in the US, but we have in the past bought auxilaries abroad, including the very successful Sirius class bought used from the Royal Fleet Auxilary. The USN also bought some heavy salvage tugs from the UK back in the 1970's, later transferred to the Coast Guard. The USN had to bring Austal to the US for them to build LCS-2 and the high speed transport series.

^^ agreed Ambivilent.. and there's no "quick fix" to the problems other than assest them and repair them as necessary. By the way Northrup Grumman is paying for their goof ups..as well they should.

Originally Posted by bd popeye

I don't think this is possible.

The San Antonio class ships are improving in quality..finally..as they are being commissioned. The USN and the builder Northrup Grumman are working out the bugs and making repairs. I think in the long run the LPD-17 class will perform well.

Oh dont get me wrong i agree and i hope we buy ALOT more of them (ideally to replace the LSD's, LCC/JCC, and a UAS mother ship, and finally some for the Global fleet station) but i noticed a lot of bloggers tend to rant about them but then they offer suggestions like buy the mistral or buy the Dokdo, or the Bay which are not remotely politcally practical. So basicily they are complaining with out offering actual solutions. I didnt think that the well deck was possible but i did think it was possible to ad some davits for new Landing barges that would lower then they would have some side doors/ramps (similar to the side door off the Berthof) also expand the helicopter landing pads forward also and hollow out the lower level of the superstructer making it a through deck hanger.