LO: if it hasn't got a well deck, is it really an amphib?
Philosophical argument, I suppose.
There's quite a bit of heavy equipment for a MEU/ MEB, etc, that you can't transport via Osprey, and even CH-53E can't lift it all. It takes LCAC to get a Main Battle Tank ashore ... I note from a little googling that a follow on to LCAC called SSC (ship to shore connector) got a contract awarded in 2012 for an IOC of 2019 ... we'll see how that works out.
