America class Amphibious Assault Ship (2012)

LHA-6 to LHA-10 (2009-today):
America, Tripoli, Bougainville, Fallujah, Helmand Province

✰ ✌ ✰ 4 of July Special !
The America class (2008: LHA(R)) are the latest US Navy landing helicopter assault (LHA) and amphibious assault ships of today’s United States Navy. As previous classes, like the Tarawa of the 1970-80s and Wasps of the 1990s they are responsible for putting ashore by air and supporting a full Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) with a panoply of helicopters, inc. MV-22B Osprey VSTOL transports, supported by AV-8B Harrier II or F-35 Lightning II V/STOL aircraft. But unlike the previous Tarawa/Wasps they had no well deck and thus, cannot launch landing crafts of any kind. Helicopters could carry small vehicles and artillery under sling though. They also had smaller sick bays.

USS America showing her parking space and more than a F35C squadron on deck in 2019.
The first, USS America, was commissioned in 2014, to replace USS Peleliu of the Tarawa class. In all, eleven are planned, on a design based on the last Wasp class ship, USS Makin Island (“Flight 0”) and the first two ships of Flight I, America and Tripoli are now operational since 2014 and 2020, with the first of Flight II ships, USS Bougainville, about to follow next year (2027). The next ships will honor Marines recent campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan. With 45,000 long tons (46,000 t) they are the world’s largest amphibious assault ships and equivalent to WW2 Midway-class carriers. With their larger hangars and greater capacity they were designed from the start to house and operate as much as 25 AV-8B, F-35Bs, or a mixture. Flight II however will trade a smaller aircraft hangar for a well deck again.

Development

New Air Assets

Legacy systems such as the CH-47 Chinook needed replacement, but the new MV-22 Osprey was not full compatible with the Wasp class. LHD8 was the first capable of operating ten of them.

The Tarawa class were tailored for helicopter operations and soon reconfigured AV8B jump jets (Harriers), the follow-up Wasp class were tailored from the inception to operate AV8Bs and soon modified to operate the new F35B Lighting II. Meanwhile, the Boeing MV-22 Osprey, a late Cold War project long in development was to be the replacement for the large beasts of burden if the USMC, the CH-47 Chinook and CH-53 and assimilated heavy helicopters in service since the 1960s. Both the F35 and the Osprey occupied a much greater real estate and volume overall under roof than previous air assets, and thus a new design was planned in the late 1990s already to face that new challenge. Engineers were all in agreement over one simple fact: There could not be a taller hangar and a well deck sharing the same hull as the Wasp class. There just was not enough space and stability reserve.

The USMC was facing a new challenge as with a large hangar it will have a better air transport and support than ever in its history: The MV-22 promised to carry as much troops as older helicopters but twice as fast, and the F35B Lightning II was taunted as the world’s best jet, most ambitious aero program in US history, and mountains away in capabilities compared to legacy AV8B. Loosing the capability to land heavy USMC assets, like main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles as well as amphibians such as the AA7Vs, was seen as a good tradeoff.

Post Cold War Context

USS Wasp (LHD-1) just completed in 1989, displacing alost as much as USS Coral Sea of the Midway class.

Indeed, from 1991, the geopolitical context changed dramatically with the end of USSR, “end of history”, and dividends of peace. The heavy component of the USMC was slashed down. Its heavy armour brigades comprising notably the legacy M60 Patton, were sent into reserves in the 1990s, and even the fleet of new expeditionary Strykers was reduced in size and scope in the 2000s. Even the AA7V replacement program was reduced and then cancelled after years of protracted development. Not having that heavy component looked less dramatical as it sounds though:
The nature of war changed indeed. After the Gulf War against Saddam’s army, it seems the days of conventional warfare against a peer-to-peer enemy was no gone. Russian was no longer seen as a threat, neither China before its radical modernization and expansion, so only the prospect to face regional conflicts, mostly civil wars, was about to be the new normal.

The USMC last used its heavy armoured vehicles and main battle tanks in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm with about 92,000 Marines deployed to the Persian Gulf. The 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions conducted a major ground assault into Kuwait. In the next decad until 2000 Crisis Response and Peacekeeping reforms followed. The Marine Corps conducted numerous expeditionary and humanitarian missions such as Operation Provide Comfort (aid and protection for Kurdish refugees), Operation Sea Angel (cyclone relief),
Operation Restore Hope (humanitarian intervention and peace enforcement), Operations in Haiti, Rwanda evacuations, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Liberia. Frequently Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployments for rapid-response missions became the norm and since 2001 and until 2021 it’s involvement in the “Global War on Terror” started with an active participation in its longest campaign ever, in Afghanistan, longer even that Vietnam. Marines were among the first U.S. forces deployed after 9/11 and TF 58 conducted a long-range helicopter assault deep into Afghanistan in 2001. Extensive combat operations in Helmand Province followed.

USS America (foreground) an amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth (centre) and the JS Ise, a Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force whilst in the Philippine Sea. On Tuesday 24th August 2021, HMS Kent took part in a large-scale formation sailing exercise whilst in the Philippine Sea.The Type 23 Frigate joined eight ships from the UK and other Nations including the Netherlands, Japan and the United States in various sea and air exercises, the final exercise being all ships sailing in proximity otherwise known as formation sailing. HMS Kent forms part of the Carrier Strike Group that are currently deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. Pictured: HMS Queen Elizabeth (centre) joins USS America and JS Ise in a large scale formation sailing exercise whilst in the Phillipine Sea: 24 August 2021, 06:10:11

With the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the USMC also was heavily involved, albeit its heavy component was mostly gone and it fought with Strykers and Hummers, taking part the capture of Baghdad and later counterinsurgency operations in Al Anbar Province. The USLM sonn also developed extensive urban warfare expertise. In Humanitarian Assistance, the Marines repeatedly responded to disasters after Hurricane Andrew (1992), Indian Ocean tsunami (2005), Hurricane Katrina (2005), Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh (2007), Numerous earthquake, flood, and evacuation operations.
All these operations never required the use of heavy armour. USMC Assets After 1991 also changed along this new context M1A1 Abrams. Indeed, there was one armoured brigade equipped with them, another with M60A1s. The latter were the first retired just after Operation Desert Storm whereas the Abrams were retired from 2020. The LCACs opertated by the Wasp class were all capable of landing one Abrams each, and all Wasps could carry two, so that capability was there when in the 2000s.

The Marine Corps however eliminated all tank battalions as part of Force Design reforms, shifting toward lighter, more deployable forces. The AAV-7 remained the primary amphibious troop carrier, and also could be deployed by the Wasps. however it was an ageing AAV fleet. The M777 howitzer was still the primary ordnance bu it was loght enough to be carried under sling by large helicopters. There was also an increasing emphasis on long-range rocket systems and missile batteries under Force Design reforms. The F-35B Lightning II was promising to bring so many new capabilities that combined with a new assault carrier focusing on the airborne support seemed an interesting proposition. It was also seen, in the context of budget reduction for the USN, a good way to supplement nuclear aircraft carriers, now seems less useful and more coslty than ever to operate. With still a good air group of two squadrons, about 24 aircraft, a single of these new projected assault ship could in effect replace a full size Combat Battle Group.

Genesis of the America class

USS Makin island (LH8) is the last of the Wasp class, and a transitional ship, in effect the prototype for the next America class.
The program started in July 2001, with a requirement note. When funded was obtained for R&D the development started in October 2005, and was advanced enough for a production decision made in January 2006, and construction of USS LHA-6 USS America, lead ship, by December 2008. The ability to carry the F-35B Lightning II and MV-22B Osprey was part meanwhile of the modernization program of the earlier Wasp class. The role of USS Makin Island in that process was paramount:
The F35B was already planned when the last ship in class, USS Makin Island was in construction from 2004. So it was, unlike the others, modified to take in account the new jet, albeit it’s arrival was quite late. She was also the first in class to be fitted with General Electric LM2500 geared gas turbines unlike her older sisters still retaining good ol’ geared steam turbines and superheated boilers.

So first and foremost, the development of a new ship to operate mainly the F-35C Lightning II and MV-22 Osprey would ask for a larger hangar, meaning having to drop the well deck entirely, as most assets of the USMC needed for limited asymetric operations, was now lighter and could be entirely heliborne, varried inside or under sling by CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-53K King Stallion. The F35 was fast and geared towards long range strikes, so the Marines still needed close support, so the new ship would also have to operate the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom, Vietnam Huey’s cobra grandchildrens.

The MV-22 Osprey was still both active and in continuous development to replaced the CH-46 for greater range and speed. The new ship would still have to carry all elements of the Ground Combat Element (less the Stryker, too heavy), a more powerful Aviation Combat Element than ever, a Logistics Combat Element and a Command Element. The standard MEU was reshaped down to 2,200 Marines and in wartime they were enough accomodation to have all of them aboard the new amphibious ships, but in peacetime it was scaled down to c1700 for rapid crisis response worldwide. Of course this was the naval component. It should be said that another point about this new policy of having USMC personel carried only by Ospreys and no ship to land, is a reflection of the new treat posed by very fast, new generation anti-ship missiles. This force the ABG (Amphibious Battle Group) much further off the shores. Indeed such missiles could be launched by a rogue truck close to shore, and in that case, the ship and its task force would have little to no time to prepare any defenses. This made the America class a returned to the “airborne” only Vietnam era approach of the Iow Jima class (but now with double the tonnage). However this move was criticized and after Flight 0, Flight I ships went back to the well deck.

Construction

USS America in construction, October 2012
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding was awarded on 28 October 2010 the first pair of ships for $48.1M for “additional planning and advanced engineering services in support of the LHA replacement (LHA[R]) Flight 0 amphibious assault ship (LHA-7)” with a deadline in May 2012 for launch and delivery in 2017. In January 2011, development issues of the F-35B program and that impacted and delayed as well the LHA-7 program. There were even discussions about a possible cancellation of the F35 program altogether. The names are very specific. “America” was a rupture in tradition, as a fleet carrier name, taking up the torch from the previous USS America CV-66, a Kitty Hawk ship decommissioned on 9 August 1996. This was to ensure there was still a carrier of that name afloat in US Service, and a symbol as these new LHAs were intended as “carrier first, assault second” kind of ships. After all this was the only ship officially bearing the motto “Don’t Tread on Me” so symbolic of the USN’s modest beginnings.

As for USS Bougainville, second in class, the name returned to a tradition due to form, honoring the namesake campaign from November 1943 to 21 August 1945. More protracted even than Guadalcanal, this forgotten allied victory in the “island hopping” was not only to remember the USMC (Operation Cartwheel), but also ANZAC troops that fought there, a gesture to faithful and reliable participants of RIMPAC since the start. Both attached to the Solomon Islands chain geographically and part of Australia’s New Guinea administration, this was the next setp to take protect Rabaul. By December the Island was secured for the most part, and allowed to create airfields and from there, encircle Rabaul in early 1944. After a mid-1944 Japanese counter-offensive, moping up operations were given to the ANZACS. It was still fierce lateb in the war, like on 17 April–22 May 1945 in the Battle of the Hongorai River. The name was previous sported by a Casablanca class “jeep carrier” (CVE-100).

Commission of USS America in October 2014.

In April 2012, Huntington Ingalls Industries was contracted and started purchasing steel plating, with an announcement for an additional four ship, up to LHA-10). It is safe to assume in between the design was kept fully compatible with the Av8B.
On 4 May 2012, SecNav Ray Mabus announced “Tripoli” was chosen for the first of Flight I, after the battle of the same name in 1812. On 20 June 2014, Ingalls Shipyards led the keel ceremony and the ship was sponsored by Lynne Mabus, for a delivery expected in February 2020.

On 13 June 2014, the U.S. DoD announced a new contract worth for $23.5 million to General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., in San Diego, Cal. for the R&D and development associated with the next LHA-8, and on 14 December 2021, a $70.8 million contract was awarded to Huntington Ingalls to gather materials for LHA-9. On 27 October 2022 a new contract worth $2.4 billion for detail modification, design, and construction of LHA-9 was awardded and the name “Fallujah” selected about the battle of Iraq in which the USMC was front and center, and announced on 13 December. LHA-10 was then authorized by the U.S. Congress in 2023 under a $US1.38 billion procurement package, and she was named under SacNav Carlos Del Toro on 2 May 2024, USS “Helmand Province”, this time about a long USMC campaign in Afghanistan. Overall cost was US$10.094 billion for the initial program and for three ships so about $3.4 Billion per ship, FY15.

However, the current US shipbuilding crisis showed in the poor advances made in constrcution, as by July, 2025 the Navy and HII-Ingalls announced that the next two America-class ships, Bougainville & Fallujah, were delayed by a year due to “shipyard labor challenges” plus budget priorities so Bougainville was scheduled for delivery by July 2027 (more than a year from now) and Fallujah in July 2031, instead of September 2030 for the latter. Given the current issues are still no solved, there is no certainty about USS Helmand Province. Tasks in December 2025 about the BBGs Defiant class might cause a swap of hull, the latter replacing LHA-10 of the latter much delayed, for a possible commission around 2034-36.

Evolution of the Design

The larger scale land component called the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) was a medium-sized expeditionary force suitable for regional contingencies and deployed from ferry ships and there was the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), Largest combat formation comprising three MEBs for sustained combat operations. Well before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, back in 2017, the design evolved again, leading to the desire to integrate unmanned systems for littoral (coastal) operations and after the 2020 invasion of Ukraine, lessons are going to be integrated in either a Flight IIb or a Flight III if the class is continued as its stands for distributed small-unit operations across islands and maritime terrain, with the Pacific in mind. Indeed, the carrier role of the new America class is seen more and more and indispensible for any Pacific Operation, given the current relative “shortage” of carriers, in prolongated maintenance, in case of a war against China on the question of Taiwan.

Design of the America class

The new LHD-7 design is an answer to some critics about the limit amount of ordnance and fuel, cramped hangar of the Wasp class to operate for polongated operations, the upcoming F35B and the MV-22. The basic hull was still the same as USS Makin Island essentially, with a novel powerplant, and the ommission of the well deck. This enabled to add extra room for aircraft, spare parts, weapons and fuel. The other novelty is that the new gas turbines adopted from LHD-8 uses JP-5 fuel, same used for the air group, including the AV-8B and MV-22 Osprey. This adds much flexibility in operations. In fact this was the same also as the Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCACs).

Hull and general design

The America class are a near-repeat of the Wasp class for the hull, shaped the same way, but without obviously the aft door for the well deck at waterline level. They were much beefier as well with a displacement of 34,000 long tons (41,150 t) full load 44,971 long tons (45,693 t) full load versus 40,500 long tons on the Wasps, as much as a WW2 Midway class, much longer and wider. This shows how much is crammed into the same basic hull. Indeed the new America class measures 237 meters between parallel and 257.4 meters overall or 844 feet for a beam of 106 ft (32 m) “panamax”, versus 843 ft and 104 ft (31.8 m) respectively, so slight increases. The extra beam also improves buoyancy and stability, coupled with a draft of 8 meters (27 feet) about the same as the Wasps at 27 ft (8.1 m). The overall outlook is also very much identical, down to the look of the island, bridges, albeit the shape of the masts and funnels was modified. The latter incorporated better stealthy shapes and IR reduction systems.

Powerplant

Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class (SW) Charles S. General, left, and Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class (SW) Geoffrey C. Spillers perform a check on a gas turbine engine aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68), Feb. 15. Anzio is conducting a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) as part of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group in preparation of an upcoming combat deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian M. Brooks)

As said above, USS Makin Island had been a trailblazer as long as the powerplant went, swapping the traditional steam turbines arrangement for sandard LM-2500 General Electric gas turbines, derived from aero engines and burning, as said above, the same JP5 avgas. This was a momentous change, and the experience of USS Makin Island was conclusive enough to secure the choice for the America class. Gas turbines of course has their pros and cons. They consumes even more than steam turbines, but takes a much reduced space compared to geared steam turbines and associated boilers, with all the risks associated to the latter, starting with a diminishing able workforce to operate and maintain “steam power”. In addition to being compact, steam turbines also enable much quicker starting and greater accelerations. The space freed also had several advantages. It could be used for extra fuel, and to fit a proper CODLOG (hybrid-electric propulsion system) for the first time. For cruising, the ship would swap to the secondary diesel-electric engines. It was theorized that by 2040 the price of oil would reach $140 per barrel so nuclear propulsion was chosen for the next LHX-class.

So, in concrete terms, the America class have two shaft propellers (new 5-bladed hooked type, possibly compatible with prairie-masker systems), driven each by a General Electric LM2500 gas turbine for 35,000 bhp each, and a total of 70,000 bhp (52,000 kW). Next are two 5,000 hp (3,700 kW) auxiliary electric propulsion engines and a set of six Fairbanks-Morse diesel-generators associated with these electric engines for better redundancy and flexibility. Adn yes, these are the very same diesels that propelled US WW2 Submarines. The model has been improved over the years and is rock solid. The LM-2500 gas turbines needs no presentation.

They are likely the most common gas turbines in service anywhere, anytime. They had been engineered in the 1960s by a naval branch of GE aviation as a derivative to the already famous CF6, first tested on USN transport GTS Admiral W. M. Callaghan in 1969 for the Spruance class. Sincve then, they sold like hotcakes and are still around, with 29 navies as users, including most NATO members, and more than 1,000 in service. Since 2012 development on a more fuel-efficient version is ongoing. Between these and the Fairbank-Bank Morse diesels, the Navy was certain to put all energy and propulsion teething problems aside form the start.

Protection

Like the previous Wasp class, the America class are designed with safety in mind at all levels. For more, see the Wasp class.

Passive

Aviation deck using HY100 steel, and ballistic protection overall, STANAG Lvl.1. Buried command center in the lower hull, protected by kevlar panelling all around. Same for all ammunition magazines (box protection). Subdivided compartment for utilities (less danger with the absence of a well deck), machinery spaces even better separated than on the Wasp thanks to the spmaller footprint of the diesels, generators and gas turbines. Plenty of redundancy to power pumps and all safety systems on board.
-Same fire-protection as for the Wasp and Tarawa class, sprinklers, fire curtains, fire posts, down to hand-held halon fire extinguishers.
-NBC protection with outer sprinkler system for radioactive washout, full sealing and overpressure from the air conditioning system, plus external detectors.

Active

SAN/SLQ-32B(V)2 ECM suite:
A drivative of the “Slick-32” (1970s) for the first two, and Advanced Integrated Electronic Warfare System (AIEWS) for the next three.
This is completed by six Mk 36 SRBOC decoy Rocket Launchers by BAE Systems for “Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Countermeasures Chaff and Decoy Launching System” or (SRBOC or “Super-arboc”), for short-range missile seduction. Two sets of six tubes either beam on upper decks and reload canisters, manually loaded and launched through the local FCS.
SLQ-25A Nixie:
Torpedo decoy for torpedoes (1987), towed decoy device (TB-14A) and shipboard signal generator to defeat wake-homing, acousting-homing, and wire-guided torpedoes. Launched from the poop deck.

Armament

This was a repeat of the Wasp class, with a few asymetric warfare additions, no usable against drones: Two RAMs, 2 Sea Sparrow SAM, two Phalanx CIWS, three Mark 38 RWS, and good old “Ma Deuce” in dual mounts wherever possible.

Rolling Airframe Missile launchers

The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile complement to the traditional gun-based CIWS with a longer reach, covering an intermediate bubble between the Sea Sparrow and 30mm CIWS/25mm RWS is the RIM-116. The Rolling Airframe Missiles are carried in a 21-strong configuration in the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS). The Mk-144 Guided Missile Launcher weighs 5,7 tons (12,736 lb) but cannot employ its own sensors prior to firing and thus is fully integrated with the ship own combat system for direction.
It is in service from 1992. Unit cost was on average 900.000 million back in 2021. Each missile is 2.79 m (9 ft 2 in) long for 159 mm (6.25 in) diameter (Block 2) and a wingspan of 434 mm (17.1 in). It carries a 11.3 kg (24 lb 15 oz) Blast fragmentation warhead and is powered by a Hercules/Bermite Mk. 36 solid-fuel rocket for a 9 km (5.6 mi) range at speeds in excess of Mach 2 (1,500 mph; 2,500 km/h) guided by optional passive radio frequency/infrared homing and infrared dual mode for an accuracy claimed over 95%.

RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow

Same octuple mount located on the forward bridge step (A position) and aft on poop deck as on Wasp, but the Americas had the new RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) as a replacement, to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles and “quad-packed” in the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) average cell.
Specifications:
Weight 620 lb (280 kg), length 12 ft (3.66 m), diameter 10 in (254 mm).
Warhead 86 lb (39 kg) blast-fragmentation with Proximity fuze
Engine: Mk 134 Mod 0 solid fuel rocket. Range 27 nmi+ (50 km+) at Mach 4+.

Phalanx CIWS

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Megan Anderson, assigned to future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), washes a close-in weapon system after completing a practice ammunition handling evolution aboard the ship. America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation “big-deck” amphibious assault ship, America is optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The ship is scheduled to be ceremoniously commissioned Oct. 11 in San Francisco. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Huey D. Younger Jr./Released)
The venerable Vulcan-Phalanx close-in weapon system, widespread in the USN at the time. More.

Mk 38 Bushmaster Machine Gun Systems

The Mk 38 Bushmaster Machine Gun System is a naval weapon system used primarily by the United States Navy and allied forces for close-range defense against small surface threats. It’s a stabilized, remotely operated naval gun system mounted on ships. Instead of a sailor manually aiming, it’s controlled from inside the vessel using cameras and targeting systems—safer and more precise, especially in rough seas.
Primary weapon: M242 Bushmaster chain gun (25mm automatic cannon)
Rate of fire: ~200 rounds per minute
Range: Effective up to about 2–3 km against small targets
Operation: Remote control with electro-optical sights (day/night cameras, laser rangefinder)
Stabilization: Keeps aim steady even when the ship is moving
Mod 0 / Mod 1: Earlier versions with increasing automation
Mod 2 / Mod 3: Modern variants with improved sensors, stabilization, and remote operation
The Mk 38 is designed to counter Small boats (e.g., fast attack craft), Asymmetric threats (like piracy or swarm attacks) and Low-flying aerial threats (limited capability). It was developed
after incidents like the USS Cole bombing, navies prioritized better close-in defense systems. The Mk 38 provides a fast-response, accurate, and crew-protected solution for threats that are too small or too close for larger weapons.

Browning 0.5 cal. M2HB HMG

In complement, the ships had several (four to six) good old “Ma Deuce” generally installed on bridge and hull side’s posts to deal with incoming fast boats. The crew is regularly trained to use it, as well as small arms like the M16s, those reserved to the crew in addition to the ammunition and arms rooms for the Marines on board. These made these ships “armed to the teeth” and capable of taking a country by themselves.

Capacity

The base crew of the ship is 65 officers, 994 enlisted.
To this we can add the air complement of at least 56 pilots (plus replacement and officers) and c150 maintenance and repair engineers and mechanics.
In addition the ship could carry in peacetime a force of 1687 marines, albeit many publications states in wartime as much as 2,100 should be carried
The “Marines hangar” below the aviation hangar is 4,531m³ in capacity (16,000 cu ft.) of cargo holds with 1,115m² (12,000 sq. ft) vehicle parking space.
About what type of vehicles, they are obviously light enough to be either fitted in the cargo bay of a MV22 or CH-53, or slinged under either of these.

The list includes the following:
-M1161 Growler light internally transportable ground vehicle 1 2
-Polaris RZR (the latter is no more than a 4-seat glorified quad-bike) 1 2
Technically the lightest, unarmourted versions of the HMMWV (softskin or with armour packaged delivered separately) could be sling-loaded under either the MV-22 and CH-53.
Also, the JTLV was designed to be crammed into the CH-53K bay,

This includes the Troop transport (M1123), Heavy cargo truck (M1097A2), Armament carrier (M1043A2), TOW carrier (M1045A2), Ambulance (M1035A2), Ambulance (M997A2), Armament carrier (M1114), Armament carrier (M1151), Heavy cargo truck (M1152A1), and Troop transport (M1165)
And that’s it. Far less choice. That’s why Flight 1 in construction would return to more substantial armour capability such as the up-armoured HHMMVs, M-ATV, JLTV, Cougar, LVSR, MTVR (and any type of truck), NMESIS, M142 HIMARS, LAV-25 and ACV.

Sensors

The full list includes for Flight 0/1:
SPS-49(v)5, SPS-73, SPQ-9B, 4x Mk 95, 2x Mk 90, SPN-35, SPN-43 radars, SLQ-32(v)3 ECM suite, 6x Mk 36 SRBOC decoy RL, SLQ-25 Nixie torpedo decoy, ICDS, SSDS Mk 4 and others CCS
Updgrades Planned: SPS-48E radar; +SPY-3, SPY-4 radars

AN/SPS-49(v)5 2-D Air Search Radar (ASR)

The AN/SPS-49(V)5 is a (V)1 with automatic target detection (ATD) (New Threat Upgrade (NTU) ships)
L band 942 MHz Range 3 nmi (5.6 km) to 256 nmi (474 km)+, 150,000 ft (45,720 m) alt.
Diameter 24 ft (7.3 m) × 14 ft 3 in (7.3 m × 4.3 m). Accuracy 1/16 nmi range
Power 360 kW peak, 13 kW average.

SPS-73

X band short-range, 2D, surface search/navigation radar system for improved signal processing and automatic target detection capability with a surface search function for short-range detection and surveillance and navigation function for quick and accurate determination of own ship position relative to nearby vessels and navigational hazards. Radar processors and displays used COTS.

SPQ-9B

Radome type Multiputpose surface radar, in service also on the Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. X-band, dual planar arrays mounted back-to-back under a radome.
Frequency X band (8-12 GHz); Range 150 yds (137 m) to 20 nm (37 km), Power 1.2 kW

Mk 95 FCS

Four fire control systems and Continuous Wave Illuminator associated with the NATO Sea sparrow Surface Missile System.

Mk 90

Two control systems associated with the CIWS and RAM systems.

SPN-43 radar

S-Band, 2D ATC-radar for carriers and assault ships for air navigational data, azimuth and range information for control and identification from 50 to 250 yards and 30,000 feet (9,144 m) in altutude. Linked to the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center to also guide aircraft down to touchdown. 120″ × 80″ reflector antenna with cosecant squared pattern and horn antenna. Switchable polarisation, linear horizontal or left-hand circular and pulsed magnetron transmitter. Bandwidth 1.6 MHz. FRQ 3,500 to 3,700 MHz, PRT 1000 µs, pulsewidth (τ) 0.95 (±0.05) µs, PP1 MW, rotation 15 rpm.

Combat Control Suite

ICDS:
The Lockheed Martin Integrated Combat System is a netted combat management system, with common software and compute infrastructure.

SSDS Mk 4:
Ship Self‑Defense System, coordinating legacy or new shipboard systems: The Rolling Airframe Missile, Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM), Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), Surface Electronic Warfare, Improvement Program (SEWIP), and the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR). The Mod 4 was developed for LHA-6 class amphibious ships.

Air Group & Facilities

The Flight 0 ships had the largest hangar deck of all assault ships, with enhanced aviation maintenance facilities, additional equipment support and stowage space and increased aviation fuel capacity (3100 m³ or 10,100 ft cu). The flight deck has a superior area, and counts like the previous ships an aft side starboard lift and an aft port lift, close to the aft deck lip. There was an armament lift right in front of the island. There were markings, nine landing spots (more on Flight I ships) and a fleet of deck tractors, hoursed below the island’s forward structure on which were placed the RAM and Sea Sparrow.

Initially, the air group was to comprise an ideal combo of the following:
-12x MV-22B Osprey transports
-6x F-35B Lightning II STOVL multi-role jet aircraft
-4x CH-53K heavy transport helicopters
-7x AH-1Z/UH-1Y attack/utility helicopters
-2x Navy MH-60S Knighthawks for air-sea rescue and “fleet work”.
The exact composition is of course, like for the previous class, mission-dependent. What was interesting for the USN was their theoretical capacity in pure “carrier mode” of twenty AV-8Bs or F-35Bs, and two MH-60Ss as plane guards. Such capacity was already demonstrated in LHD operations for the Operation Iraqi Freedom support.
Other combinations includes:
-20 F-35B fighters, 6 MH-60 helicopters
-12 MV-22, 4 UH-1Y, 4 AH-1Z
-6 F-35B fighters, 4 CH-53K helicopters

⚙ specifications
Displacement	34,000 tonnes standard/light and 44,971 long tons (45,693 t) full load
Dimensions	844 ft 106 ft x 26 ft (257 x 32 x 7.9 m)
Propulsion	2x shafts LM2500 GT: 70,000 bhp (52,000 kW) +6 diesels/2EM 10,000 hp (7,400 kW)
Speed	22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Range	9,500 nm./20 kts.
Armament	2x 8 ESSM SAM, 2x 21 RAM SAM, 3x 25mm/75 Mk 38 RWS, 2×6 20mm/76 Mk 15B1B, 8x cal.05 HMG
Protection	Passive +AN/SLQ-32B(V)2, 2x Mk53 Nulka DL, see notes
Sensors	AN/SPS-49 2-D ASR, AN/SPS-48G 3-D ASR, AN/SPQ-9B SSR, AN/USG-2 CEC, SSDS MK2
Capacity	1687 troops, vehicles, cargo
Air Group	24+ aircraft, see notes
Crew	1060 (+ air crew)

Flight 0:

Note the poop of the USS America showing “cuts” for the well deck door, not fitted. It seems this option was kept in case the decision was reverse. Description: June 22, 2016: USS America (LHA 6) performs flight operations while underway to Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Demetrius Kennon/Released)
The original batch of “pure carriers”. Based on USS Makin Island, LHD-8. Gas turbines and no well deck.

USS America LHA-6 (2012)

USS America was laid down at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula on 17 July 2009, launched on 4 June 2012 and commissioned on 11 October 2014, homeported to San Diego, California. Her name was announced in June 2008. She was at sea for for trials on 5 November 2013, over five days (builder’s sea trials) in the Gulf of Mexico. She had her final acceptance sea trials in February 2014. She had a commission without ceremony from Ingalls Shipbuilding on 11 July 2014 and joined her homeport of San Diego, then earned commission status after the crew completed the light-off assessment, anti-terrorism force protection certification and crew certification in October the same year.

140805-N-YB590-098 RIO DE JANEIRO (Aug.5, 2014) – The future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) sails through the water as she approaches Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, for a scheduled port visit. America is currently traveling through the US. Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility on her maiden transit, “America visits the Americas.” America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation “big-deck” amphibious assault ship, America is optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The ship is scheduled to be ceremoniously commissioned Oct. 11 in San Francisco. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Scorza/Released)

She sailed to Rio de Janeiro on 5 August 2014, for a pormotional and PR tour (the yard expected to sell one to the Brazilians) and so the local press was invited to a guided visit. She was back on 15 September 2014. She made her first South American tour for joint exercises with Colombia, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru around security and communication, medical asset coordination, mission planning with an air group limited to three SH-60 Seahawk helicopters (HSC-21), four MV-22 Ospreys (VMX-22) and transported VIPs to the ship. The crew started to prepare for the F-35B JSF for a first true operational deployment which was to follow her official, final commission on 11 October 2014 in San Francisco, made to match Fleet Week 2014. She was open to the public and SecNav Ray Mabus was the featured speaker.

In July 2017, she hosted her first operational unit, 15th MEU, for WESTPAC 17–2. She was awaited in the Persian Gulf for Operation Inherent Resolve. Her crew helped USS John S. McCain at Changi Naval Base after her collision with Alnic MC. She provided messing and berthing services to her crew members, supported damage control efforts and searches for the 10 missing Sailors, all recovered.

CORAL SEA (July 29, 2023) The forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), 2nd from front, sails in formation with the Royal Australian Navy Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Adelaide (L01), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH 183), and Republic of Korea Navy amphibious assault ship Marado (LPH 6112), during a formation exercise, as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre, July 29. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas B. Contant)

In 2020, April, she prepared for COVID 19. Later that month she had another exercise with the RAN in the South China Sea. In May she worked with Sq 11 for operational readiness exercize in the Indo-Pacific region, under Capt. Rich LeBron. In September she worked with USS Ronald Reagan for the 7th fleet in the Philippines sea for a combo of both task forces.
In 2021, June, she hosted the 31st MEU for Phibron 11. Later she worked with ARG-31st MEU for waterborne ambulance tests. In July she trained a joined Navy-Marines infiltration and night raid exercise.

USS America steams with ships from left to right: USNS Rappahannock, ROKS Wang Geon, HMAS Parramatta, USS Rafael Peralta, JS Makinami, USNS Alan Shepard, HMCS Calgary, USS New Orleans, HMAS Brisbane and USS Germantown, 21 July 2021. Full decscription: 210722-N-HG846-1002 CORAL SEA (July 22, 2021) – (From left) USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204), ROKS Wang Geon (DD 978), HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154), USS America (LHA 6), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), JS Makinami (DD 112), USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), (center) HMCS Calgary (FFH 335), (back) USS New Orleans (LPD 18), HMAS Brisbane (D 41), and USS Germantown (LSD 42) steam in formation during Talisman Sabre (TS) 21. This is the ninth iteration of Talisman Sabre, a large-scale, bilateral military exercise between Australian and the U.S. involving more than 17,000 participants from seven nations. The month-long multi-domain exercise consists of a series of training events that reinforce the strong U.S./Australian alliance and demonstrate the U.S. Military’s unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Serianni)

In July 2021, USS America took part in Exercise Talisman Saber 2021 in north-east Australian waters and carried some 17,000 personnel from Australia and the US, as well as various forces from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the UK during her tour with Expeditionary Strike Group 7. The same month she saw extensive F35B trials from the 31st MEU. In August she worked with JS Makinami for a joint battle problem with the RAN also participating. Later that month she had exercises with HMS Queen Elisabeth and worked with LSGE21, with cross-deck landings of F35Bs notably, in cyclic flight ops. Sge was refuelled at sea from USS Charleston (LCS18) and took part in Phibron 11 with Dutch, UK Navies in the Pacific.
In October she offered a tour for the crew of JS ise (DDH182) under Capt. Ken Ward.

On January 2022, CTF-76 commander was on board, coming from USS Mighuel Keith, for C2 littoral warfare Ops. In April Capt. Shockey Snyder took command as new CO.
In May she allegeldy was with her Amphibious Ready Group were in Sasebo, Japan for a second WestPac. But she was in overhaul in 2022-2024. In May 2024 she won a Battle E, and in January 2025 was a command change, with Capt. Ethan Rule relieving Capt. Manny “K9” Pardo in Sasebo.
In February 2025, USS Tripoli was announced revieving her at Sasebo and America to be stationed back at San Diego. In June 2025, she arrived at Sydney Harbour after 30 days at sea to take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. So far she had earned the Navy E Ribbon – (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award for outstanding food service – (2017, 2018, 2020) and Admiral James H. Flatley Memorial Award for Naval Aviation Safety – (2020).
In June 2025 she visited Sydney and had exercrises with the RAN. HSC-25 performed SAR exercises. In July she celebrated the 82nd birthday of AS 242 at sea, former VMFA 242 of WW2 fame. She made other exercises along July around Australia, with MEU 31 personal landed for many actvitites and PR cultural events. She also deployed four advanced oceanographic and atmospheric data collection devices. She was back to Pearl Harbour in September 2025. Exercises followed with notably the Chinooks of 25th CAB and VMM 268 (Ospreys). By the fall she was scheduled to return to Sasebo. More to come.

USS Tripoli LHA-7 (2017)

USS Tripoli underway on 15 July 2019 during her sea trials
Tripoli was laid down on 22 June 2014, launched on 1 May 2017 and commissioned on 15 July 2020. She jpoined the Pacific fleet, homeported to Sasebo, Nagasaki. About the name: LHA-7 is the 3rd U.S. Navy ship named for the Battle of Derne in 1805, a decisive victory of a mercenary army led US Marines and soldiers against the pirate stronghold Tripoli during the First Barbary War. First recorded land battle of US overseas. Fallujah was also suggested but not chosen, given to LHA-9. In September 2020, Tripoli shifted from Pascagoula, to San Diego as homeport.

“”””On 2 May 2022, Tripoli departed Naval Station San Diego for the Western Pacific Ocean on her maiden deployment, taking on 20 F-35Bs at one point, in a test of the “lightning carrier” concept.[13][14] On 25 July 2022, she transitioned to an amphibious ready role by embarking the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit at Naval Base Okinawa, Japan, before transiting the South China Sea to make a port call at Singapore’s Changi Naval Base on 31 August 2022.[15] She returned to San Diego on 29 November 2022.[16]

In February 2025, Tripoli was confirmed to be deploying to Sasebo, Japan as the forward-deployed amphibious warship, replacing America.[17]
COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, on 17 April 2020, Navy officials stated that at least nine sailors assigned to the ship had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2[18] while the ship was docked in Pascagoula, Mississippi.[5][a] About 630 sailors were moved off the ship as a preventative measure, and the outbreak spread to only “around a couple dozen sailors”.[19] Due to the pandemic the ship’s public commissioning ceremony, originally planned for NAS Pensacola in June, was cancelled, and Tripoli was commissioned on 15 July 2020 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where she had been built.[20]
2026 Iran war

On 28 March 2026 Tripoli arrived in the US Central Command (CENTCOM) ‘area of responsibility’—which spans north-east Africa, the Middle East and central and south Asia—to provide support for Operation Epic Fury.[21] Tripoli is part of an amphibious ready group (ARG), consisting of USS San Diego and USS New Orleans according to USNI News. The ARG is reportedly transporting around 2,200 Marine Corps personnel from the Okinawa-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and will join the USS Abraham Lincoln-led Carrier Strike Group 3 which is already deployed in the region. The embarked air wing of Tripoli includes around 20[22] F-35B Lightning II fighters of the VMFA-121 “Green Knights”, MV-22B Osprey of the VMM-265 “Dragons” and MH-60S Seahawk from HSC-25 “Island Knights”.[23][24]

The ship had departed Okinawa on 11 March as per MarineTraffic and reached near Singapore, approaching the northern exit of the Strait of Malacca, on 17 March 2026 as per the AIS tracking data accessed by the CNN. San Diego and New Orleans crossed the strait one day prior to Tripoli.[23][24] As of 20 March, the ship is located to the south of Sri Lanka and is expected to enter the Arabian Sea the following week. The ship will reach the war theatre around 22–23 March.[25][26]

On 19 April 2026, as the U.S. Navy was maintaining the naval blockade of Iran, Tripoli along with the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Spruance disabled the Iranian-flagged Touska. Tripoli had deployed US Marines to board the ship and take control of the vessel.[27][28]

Flight I:

Differences between the LHA-6 and LHA-8. src pinterest, src & USN ppt presentation

After vivid debates and discussions confirmed in the official “Early Operational Assessment” of 2005, the choice of a “carrier only” assault ship never made consensus. So it was decided to revise the next three ships on order to have well deck for amphibious warfare compatible with the LCAC, and comparable to both the Tarawa and Wasp-class in capacity. Mecahnically the direct result is a drastic space reduction for aircraft. The “Flight 0” expanded aviation facilities constrained the space allocated to military vehicles, even of its hospital by two-thirds compared to the previous class. This was called into question by Robert O. Work, calling the new class a “hardly amphibious warfare ship” without a well deck. Some in the navy also noted that Iwo Jima class failed as a concept off the coast of Lebanon during the late 1970s when facing heavy AA. Marines thus still needed that option of being landed through well decks.

Thus, the third in class, USS Bougainville was the first modified to integrate again a well-deck, but with the new environment, this was from lighter ground vehicles like the Humvee to lessons of Iraq and Afganistan and the rise of MRAPs, up-armored, taller and heavier for any counterinsurgency operations. It was believed also the use of shore connectors and new cargo lift requirements changed for airlifting needed to be taken in account for the new well deck. For that, the island also needed to be slightly smaller. R&D started in 2015, detailed design work concluded with a greenlight for construction in 2017 for LHA-8, initially planned for commission in 2024 but delayed until 2026 for the reasons explained above. Today, three are planned and no more. The 2022 ongoing war in Ukraine and recent drone-related issues means a next class is needed to defend against swarms on one side, and attack in a network-centric approach which has nothing to do with cold war legacy USMC doctrines (see below). Given the current size of combat airborne drones, it is likely the current LHDs hangars could carry more than a hundred if modified in a more modular approach.

USS Bougainville LHA-8 (2023)

Bougainville was ordered from Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula on 14 March 2019, launched on 30 September 2023 and with a completion estimated in 2027. Her expected homeport with be Norfolk, Virginia, Atlantic Fleet/Mediterranean.

USS Fallujah LHA-9

Fallujah was laid down at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula on 20 September 2023. Her launch is estimated in 2031. Status: Under construction.

Helmand Province LHA-10

Helmand Province had been Authorized FY2024, to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding. To be laid down in 2026.

America class Upgrades

In January 2014, the USN staff reviewed its position about deck resistance to the excessive heat from the F-35B and MV-22. The F-35B engine indeed ended much hotter as expected due to energy-management cockups, than the AV-8B Harrier STOVL. Even the new MV-22 Osprey’s heat exhaust when fully loaded (it was tested on light load most often until then) and was also degrading the flight deck fast. 14 main modifications were identified to be ported in the first overhaul of the class, in order to pushe the limit of current flight operations. A more cost-effective solution is looked upon to increase combat effectiveness. Already these points of improvements are ported on USS Tripoli and Bougainville for “complete unrestricted operations.” Other includes placing covers over life rafts and refueling stations as well as moving antennas. USS America is expected her major overhaul within the end of the decade or around 2035 depending of funding and events.

Future: LH(X)

The LHX or LH(X) is an old project, already proposed in the late 1990s to replace the Tarawa-class that are planned for decommission FY2030. The novelty of the concept was to have a new hard deck for hovercraft instead of of the tradtiional floodable “well deck”. In the 2000s the LHX was dubbed by the DoD the “Amphibious Assault Ship Future Replacement” as a new concept to replace all LHDs and the starting point would be a Flight 2 America class with its new well deck and smaller island for 20% more capacity on the flight deck, removing restrictions on the use of MV-22s to land on spots 5 and 6 and allow for four more of the MV-22B type as well as three more F-35B Lightning IIs/CH-53Ks. In 2008, procurement of Flight 2 was scheduled for 2024.
The concept was then rebranded as the MPF(F), LHA(R), or T-LHA(R), examined by the newly formed Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future). The MPF(F) “sea base” was to support operations ashore (USS Emery S. Land built as prototype) with a mixed crew with civilians and from the Military Sealift Command, unarmed. Funding granted FY2008.