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U.S. Navy

Amphibious Assault Ships

From the first purpose-built helicopter carriers of the Iwo Jima-class to the F-35B-capable America-class, amphibious assault ships are the iron bridge between sea and shore. Larger than most nations' aircraft carriers, these warships deliver Marines, aircraft, armor, and landing craft as a single expeditionary strike package — projecting American power from the ocean to the objective in a single wave.

Cold War Origins 1961 – 1970
LPH
LPH-2 – LPH-12
Iwo Jima-Class
Amphibious Assault Ships (LPH)
7
Ships
1961
Commissioned
~20
Helicopters
18,300
TONS
The first purpose-built helicopter carriers in history. Designed from the keel up to land Marines by air, the Iwo Jimas transformed amphibious warfare from beach-storming to vertical envelopment — putting a battalion ashore by rotorcraft in a single wave. Read more
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Power Projection 1976 – 1980
LHA
LHA-1 – LHA-5
Tarawa-Class
Amphibious Assault Ships (LHA)
5
Ships
1976
Commissioned
~30
Aircraft
39,967
TONS
The first ships to combine a full-length flight deck, well deck, vehicle garage, and hospital under one hull. Each Tarawa could land a Marine battalion with its own air support, armor, and landing craft — a complete assault force in a single ship. Named for the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history. Read more
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Expeditionary Dominance 1989 – 2009
LHD
LHD-1 – LHD-8
Wasp-Class
Amphibious Assault Ships (LHD)
8
Ships
1989
Commissioned
~30
Aircraft
40,532
TONS
The backbone of America's amphibious fleet for three decades. Every major crisis from Desert Storm to the War on Terror put a Wasp-class on station. Their well decks launch LCACs and AAVs while the flight deck runs Harriers and helicopter assault waves simultaneously. Larger than most nations' aircraft carriers. Read more
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Next Generation 2014 – Present
LHA
LHA-6+
America-Class
Amphibious Assault Ships (LHA)
3
Ships
2014
Commissioned
~20
F-35B + Helos
44,971
TONS
The newest and largest amphibious assault ships ever built. Flight 0 hulls sacrificed the well deck for an enlarged hangar optimized for the F-35B Lightning II. Flight I — starting with USS Bougainville (LHA-8) — restores the well deck while retaining F-35B capability, creating the most versatile warship afloat. Read more
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4
Classes
23
Ships Built
3
Designations
63
Years of Service