Amphibious Assault Ship
America-class amphibious assault ship
The America-class is a class of large-deck amphibious assault ships (LHA) built by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Mississippi for the US Navy and Marine Corps, in service since 2014. At about 45,000 tonnes, it can operate F-35B fighters and acts as a light aircraft carrier.
United States|Huntington Ingalls Industries (Ingalls Shipbuilding)What Is the America-class amphibious assault ship? Overview, History and Development
The class replaces the Tarawa class. USS America (LHA-6) was launched on 4 June 2012 and commissioned on 11 October 2014, and USS Tripoli (LHA-7) followed on 15 July 2020. USS Bougainville (LHA-8) was launched in 2023 with delivery expected in 2025–26. The first two ships have no well deck to maximise hangar space, while LHA-8 returns the well deck. Displacement is about 45,000 t, length about 257 m and beam about 32 m.
Two GE LM2500 gas turbines give about 70,000 shp and about 22 knots. An air group includes MV-22B Ospreys, F-35B, CH-53K, AH-1Z, UH-1Y and MH-60S, up to about 20 F-35B in a light-carrier role. Marine capacity is about 1,687 troops, with a crew of about 1,060. Defence includes RAM, ESSM and Phalanx. Cost was about US$3.4 billion for LHA-6 and US$3.7 billion for LHA-7. LHA-9 Fallujah is planned. Rivals include Type 075, Wasp-class and Anadolu.
America-class amphibious assault ship Specifications: Displacement, Speed, Armament and Crew
America-class amphibious assault ship Variants and Versions Compared
USS America (LHA-6) is the lead ship, commissioned in October 2014 without a well deck.
USS Tripoli (LHA-7) is the second ship, commissioned in July 2020 with the same aviation-focused layout.
USS Bougainville (LHA-8) is the third ship, which returns the well deck in a Flight Deck II design.
Which Countries Use the America-class amphibious assault ship? Operators and Users
United StatesAmerica-class amphibious assault ship FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
Is the America-class an aircraft carrier?
The America-class is classified as an amphibious assault ship but works as a light aircraft carrier for F-35B fighters. It can carry up to about 20 F-35B in a Lightning carrier configuration.
How big is the America-class assault ship?
The America-class displaces about 45,000 t at full load and is about 257 m long, with a beam of about 32 m. It is among the largest amphibious ships in the world.
How many America-class ships are there?
There are two America-class ships in service, USS America and USS Tripoli, with USS Bougainville expected around 2025–26. LHA-9 Fallujah and later ships are planned, so production continues.
How much does an America-class ship cost?
An America-class ship cost about US$3.4 billion for LHA-6 and about US$3.7 billion for LHA-7, according to USN and CBO figures. Those numbers are hedged and vary by source.
Why doesn’t the America-class have a well deck?
USS America and USS Tripoli have no well deck because the America-class Flight Deck I design maximises hangar and aviation maintenance space. LHA-8 Bougainville restores the well deck in a Flight Deck II design.
America-class vs Type 075: which is bigger?
The America-class is larger at about 45,000 t, against about 36,000 t for China’s Type 075. The American ship focuses on F-35B aviation, while the Type 075 has a well deck and hovercraft.