(United States)

Notes: In March 2001 The USN and USMC instituted studies for a replacement of the Tarawa class ships after their proposed SLEP was cancelled. Formerly designated LH-X and LHA(R), these vessels differ form other units in the USN’s __-X concepts in that they are entirely basic, conventional designs using almost entirely already-existing engines, weapons, electronics, and construction theories. For example, the engines are the same as the Arleigh Burke class DDGs and the air conditioning plant is based on the Virginia class SSNs. They were designed from the outset to operate the Osprey tiltrotor and Lightning II fighter. The class was designed “virtually” with the ShipConstructor 3D software.

Compared to the Tarawa class, this design is slightly larger. The stern gate and docking well are deleted; by the time the last of these ships enters service the LCAC (with no replacement currently in sight) will likely be leaving service anyways. The freed-up space allows a hangar deck 42% larger than the Tarawas. The extreme stern will now house an emergency engine room. The medical facilities are expanded and include an X-ray clinic, pharmacy, and dental clinic. More JP-5 aviation fuel is carried by converting two bilges into usable tanks; improved keel strengtheners compensate. The aircraft magazine is moved beneath the waterline. The Tarawas’ 5” guns are deleted as the V-22 Osprey’s range and speed means Marines will launch from outside that gun’s range. The per-ship cost is estimated at $2.4 billion plus about another $600 million for the air wing. They will be built by Northrop Grumman at Pascagoula, MS. The first $93.8 million for LHS-6’s “long-lead” items was released on 1 June 2007, an additional $109 million for general costs of the whole class had already been allocated in the FY05 budget.

From LHA-8 onwards, there may be major modifications to the design likely to include changes to the armament fit, sensors, and possibly a switch to a gas-electric propulsion system with external electric motors. The USN hopes for an eventual total of nine but as of May 2008 only five have been requested. They will have lifespans of at least 30 years.

The names have not been decided but may be a repeat of the Tarawas as they decommission, albeit in a different order. There is a strong push to name LHA-6 USS America; lesser efforts are pushing for one unit to be named USS Fallujah.

Displacement: 885’9”x112’x26’3” Dimensions: 44,971t standard, 50,000t full Machinery: 2 General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 2 shafts w/CP props + electric bow thruster Max speed: 25kts Range: 9500NM @ 20kts Complement: 1124 (65 officers, 1059 enlisted) USN crew + 1687 (1894 surge) USMC detachment

WEAPONS-Missiles

x2 Mk29 octuple RIM-7 Sea Sparrow launchers (10NM AA)

x2 RIM-116 RAM (4NM AA)

x3 Mk15 Phalanx CIWS          1NM AA

x8 M-2 Browning .50cal           ½ NM AA/surface (Mk38 25mm autocannon may be substituted later)

AN/SPS-48E (E/F)                 3D sir search/track: 220NM vs. large/high, 119NM vs. small/low, 51NM vs. sea-skimming missile (range, bearing, altitude, class)

AN/SPS-49(V)9 (C/D)           2D air search: 284NM vs. large/high, 159NM vs. small/low, 20NM vs. sea-skimming missile (range, bearing)

AN/SPS-67 (G)                      63NM surface serach/20NM air search (range, bearing)

AN/SPS-64 (I)                       52NM navigation (range, bearing)

AN/SPN-35 (J) and AN/SPN-43 (E): CCA for aircraft

Mk91 (I/J) FC for Sea Sparrow

AN/SLQ-32(V)4 Sidekick ESM/ECM suite

AN/SLA-10B Blanker

AN/SSQ-95 AEB

AN/KAS-1 NBC warfare sensor

Mk36 SRBOC countermeasures launchers

AN/SLQ-36 Nixie towed decoy

AN/UPX-29 IFF, AN/URN-25 TACAN, AN/WSC-6 SATCOM, AN/WRN-6 GPS (other systems TBD)