Designed under project SCB 187B, the ships are about 47 ft (14 m) longer which increased the displacement by some 3,300 tons.

In front of the dock was a 70m long raised level to park vehicles which was connected via a ramp to the flight deck.

[3] The propulsion consists of two Foster Wheeler boilers (600 psi), powering two De Laval GT turbines, providing 12,000 SHP each for the two propellers.

USS Coronado served for 10 years as an LPD before she was converted into a command ship.

From 2012 to 2017, USS Ponce served with the United States Military Sealift Command as a forward base ship with helicopter facilities, which was designated "Afloat Forward Staging Base, Interim".