The U.S. Marine Corps Fleet: LHDs and Amphibious Assault Ships

The United States Department of the Navy operates a formidable fleet of Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) and Amphibious Assault Ships (AAS). This article will provide an overview of the current and planned fleet, emphasizing their roles and capabilities.

Current Fleet

As of June 2020, the U.S. Navy fielded a total of eight Wasp-class LHDs. Each of these ships is designed to embark, transport, deploy, and fully support a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of 2000 marines. These ships were built with the purpose of inserting forces ashore via helicopters, landing craft, and amphibious vehicles. This capability makes them crucial for conducting amphibious operations and supporting large-scale marine operations.

Wasp-Class LHDs

The Wasp-class includes the following ships:

USS Wasp LHD-1 USS Essex LHD-2 USS Kearsarge LHD-3 USS Boxer LHD-4 USS Bataan LHD-5 USS Bonhomme Richard LHD-6 (out of service and scheduled for decommissioning) USS Iwo Jima LHD-7 USS Makin Island LHD-8

Each of these ships serves as a floating headquarters, supporting an air arm and all other elements of a MEU.

America-Class LHDs

While the Wasp-class LHDs represent the current backbone of the fleet, the America-class LHDs are the future. These more advanced ships are currently planned to augment and/or replace the Wasp-class ships. The America-class includes:

USS America LHA-6 [A] USS Tripoli LHA-7 [A] USS Bougainville LHA-8 [P]

Additionally, eleven more America-class LHDs are planned for the fleet, marking a significant upgrade in terms of technology and capability.

Supporting Ships

While the LHDs are the centerpiece of the fleet, they are not alone. The Marine Expeditionary Force also operates a number of LHA (Landing Helicopter Assault) ships without a well deck. This includes:

USS Tarawa LHA-1 [I] USS Saipan LHA-2 [I] USS Belleau Wood LHA-3 [I] USS Nassau LHA-4 [I] USS Peleliu LHA-5 [I]

These ships work in conjunction with the LHDs, providing additional transport and support capabilities.

International Comparison

While the U.S. fleet is undoubtedly the largest and most advanced, similar ship designs can be found in other countries. Some notable mentions include:

Mistral-Class Amphibious Assault Ships: The French Navy is constructing five of these vessels. They are designed as helicopter carriers. Joan Carlos I-Class Amphibious Assault Ships: Spain has one in its naval fleet. Canberra-Class Amphibious Assault Ships: Australia has two of these vessels. Anadolu-Class Amphibious Assault Ships: Turkey is currently under construction with one ship. Dokdo-Class Amphibious Assault Ships: South Korea is in the process of building twelve of these vessels.

Together, these ships form a diverse and robust fleet capable of a wide range of operations, from disaster relief to strategic military deployments.

Conclusion

The U.S. Marine Corps fleet comprising LHDs and Amphibious Assault Ships is a critical component of the overall military strategy. These ships are designed to serve a variety of roles, from conducting amphibious operations to providing command and support for marine units. As the fleet continues to evolve with the introduction of new America-class vessels, the capabilities of the U.S. Marine Corps will only increase.

Whether in times of peace or conflict, these ships remain a vital tool for inserting forces ashore and achieving expeditionary objectives.