America class

   The America class is the US Navy's latest amphibious assault ship. This class of warships is intended to support US Marines during amphibious landing operations against defended positions ashore. America class ships can operate as flagships for expeditionary strike groups. Vessels can also perform sea control operations, using onboard strike fighter aircraft, or serve as small aircraft carriers.

   The USS America is the first ship of the class. It was launched in 2012 and commissioned with the US Navy in 2014. A contract for construction of the second ship, USS Tripoli, was awarded in 2012. Nine more ships of this class are planned. At least three ships are planned to be built in the near future. The America class will eventually replace the ageing Tarawa class.

   The design of the America class is based on that of the USS Makin Island, which is the last ship of the Wasp class. Currently the America class ships are the largest amphibious assault vessels ever built. These are larger than most aircraft carriers.

   The America class has more deck space than the previous ships of this kind. It has been specially optimized for the new MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor transport and F-35B VTOL strike fighter. Vessel has enlarged hangar facilities to house more aircraft below decks. This amphibious assault ship has two elevators.

   First two vessels of the class will operate a total of 38 helicopters and VSTOL aircraft. These include F-35B JSF, MV-22 Osprey, UH-1Y Huey, CH-53K Supper Stallion, SH-60 Sea Hawk, MH-60 Nighthawk, AH-1Z Viper, AH-1W Super Cobra, and other. Number of aircraft and helicopters will vary depending on specific mission requirements.

   There are no well decks on the first two America class ships. The USS America and USS Tripoli are optimized for aviation and do not support amphibious assault by sea. Marines are delivered ashore by helicopters. Such delivery method allows troops to arrive more quickly and much further out. Also the vessels are better protected when launching assaults further out from sea. The following three America class ships that are currently planned will have a well deck, similar to that of the Wasp class, but will carry fewer aircraft.

   The America class can carry about 1 700 marines and associated equipment to support them.

   These amphibious assault ships are armed with two RAM launchers (42 missiles), two ESSM launchers (16 missiles), two 20-mm Phalanx close-in weapon systems (CIWS), three 25-mm Mk.38 cannons.

   Propulsion is provided by two General Electric LM 2500+ gas turbines, driving two shafts. It replaced the maintenance intensive steam plants of earlier amphibious assault ships.