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Features: Modern U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships are called upon to perform as primary landing ships for assault operations of Marine expeditionary units. These ships use Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), conventional landing craft and helicopters to move Marine assault forces ashore. In a secondary role, using Harrier aircraft and anti-submarine warfare helicopters, these ships perform sea control and limited power projection missions.

Background: Amphibious warships are uniquely designed to support assault from the sea against defended positions ashore. They must be able to sail in harm's way and provide a rapid built-up of combat power ashore in the face of opposition. The United States maintains the largest and most capable amphibious force in the world. The Wasp-class are the largest amphibious ships in the world. The lead ship, USS Wasp (LHD-1), was commissioned in July 1989 in Norfolk, Va. Construction of the last ships of the class continues at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.

General Characteristics, Wasp Class

Builder: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
Power Plant: Two boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 shaft horsepower
Length: 844 feet (253.2 meters)
Beam: 106 feet (31.8 meters)
Displacement: Approx. 40,500 tons (36,450 metric tons) full load
Speed: 20+ knots (23.5+ miles per hour)
Aircraft:
Assault: 42 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
Sea Control: 20 Harrier attack planes; Six ASW helicopters
Ships:
USS Wasp (LHD-1), Norfolk, Va.
USS Essex (LHD-2), San Diego, Calif.
USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), Norfolk, Va.
USS Boxer (LHD-4), San Diego, Calif.
USS Bataan (LHD-5), Norfolk, Va.
Under construction:
Bon Homme Richard (LHD-6), Christened on May 17, 1997
Crew:
Ships Company: 104 officers, 1,004 enlisted
Marine Detachment: 1,894
Armament: Two NATO Sea Sparrow launchers; three 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts; eight .50 cal. machine guns
Date Deployed: July 29, 1989 (USS Wasp)

General Characteristics, Tarawa Class

Builders: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
Power Plant: 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 (35,460 metric tons) full load
Speed: 24 knots (27.6 miles per hour)
Aircraft: (Actual mix depends upon mission)
Nine CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters
Twelve CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
Six AV-8B Harrier attack planes
Ships:
USS Tarawa (LHA-1), San Diego, Calif.
USS Saipan (LHA-2), Norfolk, Va.
USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3), Sasebo, Japan
USS Nassau (LHA-4), Norfolk, Va.
USS Peleliu (LHA-5), San Diego, Calif.
Crew:
Ships Company: 82 officers, 882 enlisted
Marine Detachment 1,900 plus
Armament: Two RAM launchers; two 5 inch/54 cal. MK-45 lightweight guns; two Phalanx 20 mm CIWS mount; six 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns
Date Deployed: May 29, 1976 (USS Tarawa)

General Characteristics, Iwo Jima Class

Builder: Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
Power Plant: Two boilers, one geared steam turbines, one shaft, 22,000 total shaft horsepower
Length: 598 feet (182.27 meters)
Flight Deck Width: 104 feet (31.2 meters)
Beam: 84 feet (25.2 meters)
Displacement: 17,000 tons (light load)
Speed: 23 knots (26.5 miles per hour)
Aircraft:(actual mix depends upon mission) 11 CH-53 Sea Stallions; 20 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
Ships:
USS Guam (LPH-9), Norfolk, Va.
USS New Orleans (LPH-11), San Diego, Calif.
Crew:
Ships Company: 80 officers, 638 enlisted
Marine Detachment: 1,750
Armament: Two 20mm Phalanx CIWS
Date Deployed: August 26, 1961 (USS Iwo Jima)