Amphibious assault ship

An amphibious assault ship (English Amphibious Assault Ship ) is in the nomenclature of the United States Navy 's largest ship, which is specifically designed for amphibious warfare. The term amphibious assault ship is a misleading translation from English, because the ship itself is not amphibious - ie on land and water use - but merely a carrier for amphibious vehicles. The corresponding translation therefore would ship for amphibious attacks.

The first dedicated amphibious assault ships were in the 1960s, the units of the Iwo Jima class; 15 years later was followed by the Tarawa class. In the late 1980s, the first units of the Wasp - class were put into service. Currently, a potential successor is developed, which is called the America - class. The Royal Navy operates with the HMS Ocean (L12 ) is also an amphibious assault ship. The Spanish Navy also built one that Juan Carlos I.

The ships resemble small aircraft carriers from the outside; in fact, they are larger than about the support of the British Invincible class. However, fly from the deck of an amphibious assault ship mainly helicopters and other VTOL aircraft, which is why the term " helicopter carrier " has prevailed. The U.S. Navy uses several identifiers, namely Landing Platform Helicopter ( LPH Iwo Jima class), Landing Helicopter Assault ( LHA Tarawa - class and America - class ) and Landing Helicopter Dock ( LHD Wasp Class).

The biggest difference to conventional aircraft carriers is a so-called corrugated deck, where several landing craft are housed. How to perform a landing operation both in the water and in the air amphibious assault ships. The helicopters and VTOL aircraft can also fly close air support.

Amphibious assault ships usually cooperate with Docklandungsschiffen and are similar to an aircraft carrier battle group protected by warships. These associations are with the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Strike Group the name.