The Wasp class is a continuation of the Tarawa class, sharing the same fundamental hull and engineering design. However, there are notable differences, such as the placement of the bridge, which is two decks lower than the LHAs (Landing Helicopter Amphibious). Additionally, critical command, control, and communication centers are situated within the hull, making them less vulnerable to disablement. To support landing and recovery operations, the ships can ballast approximately 15,000 tons of seawater for stability.
These formidable vessels are capable of carrying a 2,000-strong Marine expeditionary unit, deploying troops either onto the beach using their own landing craft or via helicopters in a maneuver known as vertical envelopment. Each Wasp-class ship can accommodate up to three LCACs or twelve LCMs in their 81-meter by 15.2-meter well deck. In total, they can transport 61 Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs), with 40 stowed in the well deck and 21 in the upper vehicle storage area.
The flight deck boasts nine landing spots for helicopters, supporting up to 42 CH-46 Sea Knights. Furthermore, these ships can deploy AH-1 SeaCobra attack helicopters, CH-53E Super Stallion transports, UH-1N Twin Hueys, or multi-purpose SH-60B Seahawks. While they can operate between six to eight AV-8B Harrier IIs in combat roles, they have the capacity to support up to 20. Two aircraft elevators, one on the port side amidships and the other to starboard aft of the island, are used to lift aircraft to the flight deck. When passing through the Panama Canal, these lifts must be folded inboard.
The composition of the air group depends on the mission at hand. The Wasp class can function as aircraft carriers, accommodating 20 AV-8Bs for sea control roles, along with six ASW helicopters. In amphibious assaults, a typical group includes six AV-8Bs, four AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, 12 CH-46 Sea Knights, nine CH-53 Sea Stallions or Super Stallions, and four UH-1N Twin Hueys. Alternatively, they can operate up to 42 CH-46s.
These ships are designed to carry a balanced force of combat vehicles, including five M1 Abrams main battle tanks, 25 AAV7A1 armored personnel carriers, eight M198 155 mm towed guns, 68 trucks, and several other support vehicles. They have the capability to transport and land various equipment and vehicles, aided by monorail trains that move cargo from storage areas to the well deck, which opens to the sea through stern gates. Additionally, each ship features a 600-bed hospital with six operating theaters, reducing the dependence on shore-based medical facilities for an amphibious task force.
The Wasp class has been gradually replacing the older LHAs since the mid-1990s. USS Bataan, for instance, was constructed using pre-outfitting and modular construction techniques, which resulted in significant progress by the time of its launch. Notably, it was the first amphibious assault ship designed to accommodate female personnel in both the crew and Marine contingent, providing full accommodations for up to 450 female officers, enlisted personnel, and troops.
The last three ships of the Wasp class have averaged approximately $750 million each in cost. The US Navy’s plan included deploying a 12-strong Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) by 2010, as the first Tarawa-class vessel approached 35 years of service. The final ship of the Wasp class, the USS Makin Island, served as the foundation for the new America-class amphibious assault ships, with the first ship of this class commissioned in 2014. Eventually, these new vessels will replace the aging Tarawa-class ships.
In 2020, the USS Bonhomme Richard experienced a severe fire during shipyard repairs, taking four days to extinguish. The vessel sustained significant damage, estimated to require 7 years and $2.5 billion to $3.2 billion for repairs. Ultimately, it was deemed unfeasible to salvage, leading the US Navy to decommission and scrap the ship.
