NAVY FACT FILE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIPS MISSION: Modern U.S. Navy Amphibious Assault Ships are called upon to perform as primary landing ships for major portions of the assault echelons of a Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Expeditionary Brigade. These ships use Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), conventional landing craft and helicopters to move Marine assault forces ashore. In a secondary role using AV-8B Harrier VSTOL aircraft and anti-submarine warfare helicopters, these ships perform sea control and limited power projection missions. COMMENTARY: 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 build-up of combat power ashore in the face of opposition. The United States maintains the largest and most capable amphibious force in the world. Under the current building program, new ships will further enhance that capability. The Navy's goal is to achieve sufficient amphibious lift to carry the assault echelons of a Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Expeditionary Brigade by the late 1990's. WASP CLASS (LHD-l) COMMENTARY: Wasp (LHD-l) is the largest amphibious ship in the world. The lead ship was s commissioned in July 1989 in Norfolk, Virginia. Construction on the other ships of the class continues at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi. Studies are underway to investigate the feasibility of incorporating gas turbine propulsion in LHD-5 in place of the 600 psi boilers. LHD-6 and beyond are intended to replace the LPH class ships. Ships will be procured every other year after 1991. WASP CLASS (LHD-l) CHARACTERISTICS Displacement: 40,500 tons (full load) Length: 844 feet Beam: 106 feet Max Speed: 22-plus knots Power Plant: 2 - Boilers, 2 geared turbines, 2 shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower Aircraft:Assault: 45 - CH-46 Sea Knight; Sea Control: 20 - AV-8B Harrier; 6 - ASW helicopters Landing Craft: 3 - LCAC Armament: 2 - 8 cell NATO Sea Sparrowlaunchers; 3 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS; 8 - .50 cal machine guns Complement: Ship's company: 1,081 (98 officer, 983 enlisted); Troops: 1,875 Builders: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. WASP CLASS SHIPS (UNDER CONSTRUCTION/PLANNED) Essex (LHD-2)* Kearsarge (LHD-3)* Boxer (LHD-4)* * Denotes ships not yet in commission TARAWA CLASS (LHA-l) Displacement: 39,400 tons (full load) Length: 833 feet Beam: 106 feet Max Speed: 24 knots Power Plant: 2 - Boilers, 2 geared turbines; 2 shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower Aircraft: 9 - CH-53 Sea Stallion; 12 - Ch-46 Sea Knight; 10 - AV-8B Harrier (in LHA 2-5) Armament: 2 - 8 cell NATO Sea Sparrow; 3 - 5 inch / 54 cal MK 45 lightweight gun; 1 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS; 6 - 20mm MK 67 single barrel Anti-Aircraft guns Complement: Ship's company: 940 (58 officer, 882 enlisted); Troops:1,900-plus Builders: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss. TARAWA (LHA-l) CLASS SHIPS USS Tarawa (LHA 1); San Diego, Calif. USS Saipan (LHA 2); Norfolk, Va. USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3); San Diego, Calif. USS Nassau (LHA 4); Norfolk, Va. USS Peleliu (LHA 5); Long Beach, Ca. IWO JIMA CLASS (LPH-2) Displacement: 18,000 tons (full load) Length: 602 feet Beam: 84 feet Flight Deck Width: 104 feet Max Speed: 23 knots Power Plant: 2 - Boilers, 1 geared turbine; 1 shaft, 22,000 total shaft horsepower Aircraft: 11 - CH-53 Sea Stallions; 20 - CH-46 Sea Knights Armament: 2 - 8 cell NATO Sea Sparrowlaunchers*; 4 - 3 inch / 50 cal (2 - twin barrel guns); 2 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS Complement: Ship's company:685 (47 officer, 638 enlisted); Troops:2,000 Builders: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash: LPH-2 Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, Pa: LPH-3, LPH-7, LPH-9, LPH-ll; Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS: LPH-lO, LPH-12 IWO JIMA (LPH 2) CLASS SHIPS USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2); Norfolk, Va. USS Okinawa (LPH 3); San Diego, Calif. USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7); Norfolk, Va. USS Guam (LPH 9); Norfolk, Va. USS Tripoli (LPH 10); San Diego, Calif. USS New Orleans (LPH 11); San Diego, Calif. USS Inchon (LPH 12); Norfolk, Va. SOURCE: Department of the Navy (OP-03PA); Washington, D.C. 20350-2000; (202) 697-6049