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USAV Major General Robert Smalls(LSV-8) is a General Frank S. Besson Jr.-classroll-on/roll-off of the US Army.
Named in honor of Gen. Frank S. Besson Jr., former Chief of Transportation, U.S. Army, these ships have bow and stern ramps and the ability to beach themselves, giving them the ability to discharge 900 short tons of vehicles and cargo over the shore in as little as four feet of water, or 2,000 short tons as an intra-theater line haul roll-on/roll-off cargo ship.[1] The vessel's cargo deck is designed to handle any vehicle in the US Army inventory and can carry up to 15 M1 Abrams main battle tanks or 82 ISO standard containers.[2]
She was acquired by the US Army on 21 June 2006 and commissioned on 15 September 2007 into the 605th Transportation Detachment, 8th Theater Sustainment Command.[3]