The British Royal Navy has launched the new Landing Platform Dock (LPD) amphibious ship HMS Albion. The ship will enter service in March 2003. (Her sister, HMS Bulwark, will enter service in Dec 2003.) The two ships, and the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, will form the enhanced amphibious capability of the British Royal Marines. They will be supported by four Alternative Landing Ship Logistics Vessels due to enter service starting in 2004.--Stephen V Cole