U.S. Navy Amphibious Warships: An In-Depth Overview

Amphibious warfare is a crucial aspect of naval operations, enabling marines to conduct complex landing operations ashore. The U.S. Navy maintains a formidable fleet of amphibious warships designed to support these missions. This article provides an in-depth overview of the current naval capabilities, focusing on key vessel types and their roles.

Amphibious Assault Ships

Amphibious assault ships, known in the U.S. Navy as amphibious assault ships (LHA) and amphibious hull assault ships (LHD), serve as the heart of the amphibious task force. These versatile vessels can embark, transport, and deploy forces to conduct a striking landing of marines and other naval personnel. There are two main types of amphibious assault ships: LHDs (Landing Helicopter Dock) and LHAs (Landing Helicopter Assault).

Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD)

The LHD class of ships can berth, transport, and deploy land-based air and ground forces for a full-scale marine expeditionary unit (MEU). As of June 2020, a total of 8 Wasp-class LHDs were built, with 7 currently active. Each LHD can support an MEU of 2,000 marines, inserting forces ashore via helicopters, landing craft, and amphibious vehicles. The recent decommissioning of LHD-6 means 7 active LHDs remain.

Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA)

The LHA class is designed to support a broader range of operations, including more substantial ground forces. Currently, there are plans for a total of 11 LHA ships, with 2 (LHA-6 and LHA-7) already commissioned and LHA-8 currently under construction. The LHA-8, being nearing completion, will bring the number of LHA ships to 12.

Support Ships

Amphibious assault ships cannot operate alone and require extensive support from various auxiliary vessels. These support ships are crucial for resupply and logistical operations. Here is a detailed breakdown of the primary support ships:

Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD)

The LPD class serves as a key component in amphibious operations, providing transport and support for marine expeditionary units. The U.S. Navy currently operates 11 LPD ships, with 2 more on the design phase and 2 LPD Flight II ships awarded.

Large Amphibious Transport (LSD)

These ships have a well-deck for landing and transporting landing craft. The Whidbey Island-class and Harpers Ferry-class LSDs are currently in service, with 8 Whidbey Island ships and 4 Harpers Ferry ships, bringing the total to 12 LSDs.

Amphibious Command Ship (LCC)

The LCCs act as command centers for amphibious operations. The U.S. Navy currently has 2 LCCs in service.

Current Fleet Composition

As of 2020, the U.S. Navy had a total of 35 amphibious warships, including:

2 LCC (Amphibious Command Ships) 8 LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock Ships) 11 LHA (Landing Helicopter Assault Ships) 11 LPD (Amphibious Transport Dock Ships) 12 LSD (Dock Landing Ships)

These ships form a comprehensive and capable fleet, ensuring the U.S. Navy can conduct a wide range of amphibious operations, from minor insertions to large-scale invasions, under any marine environment.

Conclusion

The U.S. Navy's amphibious capabilities are a testament to its dedication to preserving the nation's security through maritime dominance. With a diverse array of specialized vessels, the Navy is well-equipped to carry out complex and multifaceted amphibious operations. Understanding the roles and capabilities of these ships is crucial for comprehending the Navy's strategic and tactical flexibility in today's global landscape.