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America-class amphibious assault ship

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The LHA-6 will be the first in a new class of amphibious assault ships to replace the Tarawa class. Based on the USS Makin Island (LHD-8), the LHA-6 will be a gas-turbine powered ship supporting a Marine Expeditionary Brigade with launch capacity V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor planes, helicopters, and F-35B V/STOL strike fighters.

To increase the number of aircraft supported on board, it will convert the space of the well deck used to house landing craft in previous U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships into additional hangar space. Formerly known as the LHA(R), the first ship is due to be delivered in 2013. At displacement of 50,000 tons and carrying a complement of strike fighters, it is considered a revival of the escort carrier concept and as demonstrated by LHD operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom, can serve such a role if necessary.

The typical aircraft complement for the LHA-6 is expected to be as follows: 12 V-22 Osprey, 8 AH-1 SuperCobra, 10 F-35B, 4 CH-53K and 4 Navy CH-60 Sea Hawk rotorcraft. The exact makeup of the ship's aircraft complement will vary according to its mission.


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