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Batman47 Board Founder/CNC User is Offline Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 394 Karma: 5 applaud / smite 425 points 0 warnings 0 tempbans	Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:16 am    Post subject: Amphibious Assault Ships - LHA/LHD/LHA(R) · Quote Amphibious Assault Ships - LHA/LHD/LHA(R) Description The largest of all amphibious warfare ships; resembles a small aircraft carrier; capable of Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing (V/STOL), Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL), Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) tilt-rotor and Rotary Wing (RW) aircraft operations; contains a well deck to support use of Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) and other watercraft (with exception of the first LHA(R), LHA 6, which has no well deck).   Features Modern U.S. Navy Amphibious Assault Ships project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) / Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG). A key element of the Seapower 21 pillars of Sea Strike and Sea Basing, these ships transport and land elements of the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) with a combination of aircraft and landing craft. The Tarawa-class LHAs and Wasp-class LHDs provide the Marine Corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement by helicopter in addition to movement by landing craft. Three LHAs — which have extensive storage capacity and can accommodate Landing Craft Utility (LCU) and Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) boats — were active during Operations Desert Shield / Storm. Since that time, LHAs (and later LHDs) have been participants in major humanitarian-assistance, occupation and combat operations in which the United States has been involved. Such operations have included participating as launch platforms for Marine Corps expeditionary forces into Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and 2002, Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and humanitarian support after the catastrophic Tsunami in 2004. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, two LHDs served as “Harrier carriers,” each launching an air group of AV-8B attack aircraft against targets inside Iraq. In 2004, LHAs and LHDs were used to transport thousands of Marines and their equipment to Iraq and Afghanistan for combat operations. Most recently, critical post Hurricane Katrina support was provided in New Orleans by LHD 7 (IWO JIMA) where thousands of police, fire and rescue personnel were hosted onboard during recovery operations and IWO JIMA operated as the central command and control hub. With delivery of IWO JIMA in 2001, the Navy and Marine Corps reached a desired force level of amphibious warfare ships — LHAs/LHDs, LPDs and LSD 41/49s — that provide fully capable Expeditionary Strike Groups to fulfill anticipated forward-presence and expeditionary requirements. The keel for an eighth LHD, MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8), was laid in February 2004 at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) Ingalls Operations. It is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2008. LHD 8 will differ from earlier ships of the class in that it will be powered by gas turbine engines rather than steam turbines. LHA 6, the first ship of the LHA Replacement (LHA(R)) Program, was placed under contract in June 2007 with NGSS. LHA 6 will be an aviation-centric modified repeat of the LHD 8 and is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2012. Key differences between LHA 6 and the LHD Class ships include an enlarged hangar deck, enhanced aviation maintenance facilities, increased aviation fuel capacity, additional aviation storerooms, removal of the well deck, and an electronically reconfigurable C4ISR suite. Two of the original five Tarawa-class LHAs were recently decommissioned: USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) in October 2005 and USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) in April 2006.   Background Amphibious warships are designed to support the Marine Corps tenets of Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS) and Ship to Objective Maneuver (STOM). They must be able to sail in harm’s way and provide a rapid buildup of combat power ashore in the face of opposition. Because of their inherent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to also support humanitarian and other contingency missions on short notice. The United States maintains the largest and most capable amphibious force in the world. The Wasp-class LHDs are currently the largest amphibious ships in the world. The lead ship, USS WASP (LHD 1) was commissioned in July 1989 in Norfolk, Va. LHA Replacement or LHA(R) is the next step in the incremental development of the “Big Deck Amphib”. She is being designed to accommodate the Marine Corps’ future Air Combat Element (ACE) including F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and MV-22 Osprey with additional aviation maintenance capability and increased fuel capacities, while also providing additional cargo stowage capacities and enabling a broader, more flexible Command and Control capability.   Program Status LHAs 1, 4 & 5 and LHDs 1-7 are in-service. LHD 8 is under construction and is expected to deliver in November 2008. LHA 6 Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) contract was awarded 1 June 2007 and is planned for delivery to the Fleet in 2013.   Point Of Contact Corporate Communications Office Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 00D) Washington, DC 20376   General Characteristics, LHA(R) Class (LHA (6)) Builder: Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations, Pascagoula, MS. Date Deployed: Scheduled for delivery to the fleet in 2013. Propulsion: Two marine gas turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total brake horsepower, two 5,000 horsepower auxiliary propulsion motors. Length: 844 feet (257.3 meters). Beam: 106 feet (32.3 meters). Displacement: Approximately 44,971 long tons full load (45,695 metric tons). Speed: 20+ knots. Crew: 1,059 (65 officers)   Load: 1,687 troops (plus 184 surge). Armament: Two RAM launchers; two NATO Sea Sparrow launchers (with Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM)); two 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts; seven twin .50 cal. machine guns. Aircraft: A mix of: F-35B Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) STOVL aircraft; MV-22 Osprey VTOL tiltrotors; CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters; UH-1Y Huey helicopters; AH-1Z Super Cobra helicopters; MH-60S Seahawk helicopters.   General Characteristics, Wasp Class Builder: Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations, Pascagoula, MS. Date Deployed: July 29, 1989 (USS Wasp) Propulsion: (LHDs 1–7) two boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower; (LHD 8) two gas turbines, two shafts; 70,000 total shaft horsepower, two 5,000 horsepower auxiliary propulsion motors. Length: 844 feet (253.2 meters). Beam: 106 feet (31.8 meters). Displacement: LHDs 1-4: 40,650 tons full load (41,302.3 metric tons) LHDs 5-7: 40,358 tons full load (41,005.6 metric tons) LHD 8: 41,772 tons full load (42,442.3 metric tons). Speed: 20+ knots (23.5+ miles per hour). Crew: Ships Company: 104 officers, 1,004 enlisted LHD 8: 65 officers, 994 enlisted Marine Detachment: 1,687 troops (plus 184 surge). Armament: Two RAM launchers; two NATO Sea Sparrow launchers; three 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts (two on LHD 5-8); four .50 cal. machine guns; four 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns (LHD 5-8 have three 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns). Aircraft: 12 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters; 4 CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters; 6 AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft; 3 UH-1N Huey helicopters; 4 AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters. (planned capability to embark MV-22 Osprey VTOL tilt-rotors). ESG (Expeditionary Strike Group) ESG (Expeditionary Strike Group), former ARG (Amphibious Readiness Group). Amphibious Squadrons are built much like an athletic team whose coaching and training staff remain permanently intact and receive athletes only for the season. The Core Staff serves as the "coaching staff" for the different units under its command. These units are referred to as Naval Support Elements or NSEs. They serve on this "team" for one year. A PHIBRON's NSE's consists of an Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD or LHA), an Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD), a Dock Landing Ship (LSD), a Fleet Surgical Team (FST-6), a Fleet Information Warfare Center detachment (FIWC), a Naval Beach Group detachment (NBG-2), a Search and Rescue detachment (HC SAR), an Explosive Ordinance Disposal detachment (EOD), a Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON), and a Naval Special Warfare Task Unit (NSWTU). All elements come together for six months of training then deploy for six months as a forward-deployed, self-sustaining Amphibious Task Force. Ships: USS Wasp (LHD 1), Norfolk, VA – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12912#12912 USS Essex (LHD 2), Sasebo, Japan – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12911#12911 USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Norfolk, VA – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/owcommandpost-about1976.html USS Boxer (LHD 4), San Diego, CA – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/owcommandpost-about2027.html USS Bataan (LHD 5), Norfolk, VA – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12907#12907   USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), San Diego, CA – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12906#12906   USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Norfolk, VA – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12905#12905 Makin Island (LHD 8) - under construction – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12904#12904 General Characteristics, Tarawa Class Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS. Date Deployed: May 29, 1976 (USS Tarawa) Propulsion: Two boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower. Length: 820 feet (249.9 meters). Beam: 106 feet (31.8 meters). Displacement: 39,400 tons (40,032 metric tons) full load. Speed: 24 knots (27.6 miles per hour). Crew: Ships Company: 82 officers, 882 enlisted Marine Detachment 1,900 plus. Armament: Two RAM launchers; two Phalanx 20 mm CIWS mount; three .50 cal. machine guns; four 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns. Aircraft: 12 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters; 4 CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters; 6 AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft; 3 UH-1N Huey helicopters; 4 AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters. Amphibious Assault Ships (LHA/LHD) Primary mission of LHD's is to embark, deploy and land elements of a Marine landing force in amphibious assault operations by helicopter, landing craft, and amphibious vehicle. The Tarawa class is designed to operate independently or as a unit of a force, as a flagship or individual ship unit in both air and/or surface assaults, these ships are key elements of the amphibious assault forces for the Navy. They incorporate the best design features and capabilities of several amphibious assault ships currently in service: the Amphibious Assault Ship (LPH), Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD), Amphibious Cargo Ship (LKA), and Dock Landing Ship (LSD). http://www.tarawa.navy.mil/Site%20Pages/Mission.aspx   Ships: USS Tarawa (LHA-1) - Naval Station San Diego, CA. – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12902#12902   USS Saipan (LHA-2) - Naval Station Norfolk, VA. – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12901#12901   USS Nassau (LHA-4) - Naval Station Norfolk, VA. – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/owcommandpost-about1966.html   USS Peleliu (LHA-5) - Naval Station San Diego, CA. – ow-commandpost http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12899#12899 USS America (LHA 6) – Under construction http://www.freepowerboards.com/owcommandpost/viewtopic.php?p=12922#12922 Last Update: 4 July 2008 http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&ct=4&tid=400 _________________ U. S. Navy Veteran  August 1977 to July 1983 Yoeman Second Class, with student pilot's license
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