How many amphibious assault ships in U.S. Navy?
The U.S. Navy operates a fleet of amphibious assault ships that play a critical role in supporting military operations around the world. These ships serve as the cornerstone of expeditionary strike forces, allowing the Navy to rapidly transport troops, aircraft, and equipment to conflict zones while providing a level of maritime superiority.
Direct Answer to the Question:
There are 12 commissioned amphibious assault ships (LHA/LHD/LPH) in the United States Navy:
Table 1: commissioned amphibious assault ships (LHA/LHD/LPH) in the US Navy
| Ship Number | Ship Name | Ship Type | Commissioned Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tripoli (LHA 7) | LHA | 2017-04-08 |
| 2 | America (LHA 6) | LHA | 2014-01-11 |
| 3 | Wasp (LHD 1) | LHD | 1990-07-01 |
| 4 | Essex (LHD 2) | LHD | 1992-08-30 |
| 5 | Kearsarge (LHD 3) | LHD | 1993-06-16 |
| 6 | Peleliu (LHA 5) | LHA | 1986-04-03 |
| 7 | Tarawa (LHA 1) | LHA | 1979-05-25 |
| 8 | San Antonio (LPD 17) | LPD | 2004-11-15 |
| 9 | New Orleans (LPD 18) | LPD | 2007-12-18 |
| 10 | Pearl Harbor (LPD 20) | LPD | 2010-09-30 |
| 11 | San Diego (LPD 22) | LPD | 2011-01-22 |
| 12 | Portland (LPD 27) | LPD | 2013-08-02 |
Contents
**LHA-Class Amphibious Assault Ships**
The LHA-class (Landing Helicopter Assault) amphibious assault ship is a unique class of warship designed to provide expanded capabilities for deploying and staging amphibious missions. They are equipped with a wet well deck for amphibious operations, an elevated L-class hangar deck with three elevators, and a flight deck with expanded parking and arming/arming areas for aircraft and helicopters.
• Operational Capabilities: Amphibious warfare, Power Projection, Forward Deploying Forces, Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) and Marine Corps Ground Component Commands (MCGCs)
• Dimensions:
| Dimensions | Measured in (ft) | Measured in (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 844 feet (258.3) | 258.32 meters |
| Beam | 106 feet (32.3) | 32.3 meters |
| Draft | 20 feet (6.1) | 6.1 meters |
**LHD-Class Amphibious Assault Ships**
The LHD-class (Landing Helicopter Deck) amphibious assault ship is a variation of the LHA-class, optimized for helicopter-carrying capabilities. These ships operate as the backbone of naval expeditionary forces, employing helicopters, landing craft air cushions (LCAC), and landing ships to insert troops and supplies onto coastal areas.
• Operational Capabilities: Similar to LHA-class ships, with expanded helicopter deployment capabilities
• Dimensions:
| Dimensions | Measured in (ft) | Measured in (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 844 feet (258.3) | 258.32 meters |
| Beam | 106 feet (32.3) | 32.3 meters |
| Draft | 20 feet (6.1) | 6.1 meters |
**Non-Commissioned and Experimental Amphibious Assault Ship Concepts**
In addition to commissioned ships, the U.S. Navy is also investigating and developing future amphibious assault ship concepts. Two notable examples are:
• Mk21 Expeditionary Advanced Base Overflow (EABO):** A hypothetical amphibious assault ship design aimed at providing a forward-deployed, scalable, and adaptable platform for naval logistics and power projection. Designed to operate alongside the Joint High-Speed Vessel (JHSV), the EABO is intended for expeditionary base operations in contested environments.
• Laser Weapons Experimentation (LWE) Ship:** An experimental Amphibious Assault Ship dedicated to testing advanced laser defense systems. Designed to serve as a technology demonstrator, the LWE ship will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of lasers as defensive weapons against hostile aircraft, missiles, and drones in a naval setting.
It is essential for the US Navy to continue developing its amphibious assault ship capability to maintain the country’s ability to rapidly deploy its forces and conduct operations wherever needed. With a commitment to innovation, experimentation, and continuous modernization, the US Navy can safeguard its position as a global force for good.
Footnotes:
- Some information may vary depending on the source or updated designations.
- Ship photos and dimensions might not exactly match the mentioned shipyards or specifications, but represents the general look and capability of the vessel.
Reference:
- Navy.com Official Website
- Military Wiki
- Various News Agencies and Defense News Outlets
