The Versatile Wasp-Class Amphibious Assault Ships: Dual Role as Light Aircraft Carrier

The Wasp-class ships represent a formidable asset within the US Navy’s arsenal, offering unparalleled capabilities for conducting amphibious assaults on hostile shores worldwide. These vessels were pioneering in their design, being the first to accommodate both the AV-8B Harrier II aircraft and a complement of LCAC hovercraft. Upon their debut, they claimed the title of the world’s largest amphibious assault ships, only to be surpassed in size by the newer America-class ships.

Derived from the Tarawa class, the Wasp-class ships share a common hull and engineering infrastructure. However, they distinguish themselves by placing the bridge two decks lower than LHAs (Landing Helicopter Amphibious), housing command, control, and communication centers within the hull to safeguard against potential disruptions. To facilitate landing and recovery operations, these ships can adjust their ballast by carrying up to 15,000 tons of seawater.

Capable of accommodating a 2,000-strong marine expeditionary unit, the Wasp-class ships can efficiently deploy troops via their own landing craft or through helicopter-based vertical envelopment maneuvers. Their well deck, measuring 81 meters by 15.2 meters, can house up to three LCACs or twelve LCMs. Additionally, they have the capacity to transport 61 AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles), with 40 stowed in the well deck and 21 in the upper vehicle storage area.

The flight deck offers nine landing spots for helicopters, capable of supporting up to 42 CH-46 Sea Knights. These ships can also deploy AH-1 SeaCobra attack helicopters, as well as other transport and multi-purpose helicopters like the CH-53E Super Stallion, UH-1N Twin Huey, or SH-60B Seahawk. While they can operate six to eight AV-8B Harrier IIs in combat roles, they have the potential to support up to 20. Notably, the ships feature two aircraft elevators—one on the port side amidships and the other to starboard aft of the island—which must be folded inboard when traversing the Panama Canal.

The composition of the air group varies according to the mission at hand. For sea control, they can function as aircraft carriers, supporting 20 AV-8Bs and six ASW helicopters. In amphibious assault scenarios, a typical group comprises 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 also operate 42 CH-46s.

The Wasp-class ships are engineered to transport a well-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 numerous support vehicles. They possess the capability to transport and land an array of equipment and vehicles, facilitated by monorail trains that swiftly move cargo from storage areas to the well deck, which opens to the sea through stern gates. Additionally, each ship boasts a 600-bed hospital with six operating theaters, reducing the reliance of an amphibious task force on onshore medical facilities.

Since the mid-1990s, the Wasp-class ships have been progressively replacing the aging LHAs. The USS Bataan, for example, was constructed using innovative pre-outfitting and modular techniques, resulting in the ship being three-quarters complete upon launch. Notably, it was the first amphibious assault ship designed from the outset to accommodate female personnel, both in the crew and Marine contingent, with provisions for up to 450 female officers, enlisted personnel, and troops.

The last three ships of this class have incurred an average cost of $750 million each. The US Navy’s plan included deploying a 12-strong Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) by 2010, as the first Tarawa-class vessel reached 35 years of service. The USS Makin Island, the final ship of the Wasp class, played a pivotal role as a precursor to the new America-class amphibious assault ships, with the first America-class ship commissioned in 2014. Ultimately, these new vessels are set to replace the aging Tarawa-class ships.

However, in 2020, the USS Bonhomme Richard faced a catastrophic fire during shipyard repairs, requiring four days to extinguish. The vessel sustained severe damage, with repair estimates ranging from $2.5 billion to $3.2 billion over seven years, rendering repair impractical. Consequently, the US Navy decided to decommission and scrap the ship, marking a significant chapter in the history of the Wasp-class ships.