The America-class:Turn the Amphibious Assault Ship Into a Lightning Carrier
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- Опубліковано 29 бер 2024
- The first of the Lightning carriers is the USS America. This 45,000-ton vessel is equipped with a 257-meter flight deck and a large aircraft hangar that can carry about twenty F-35B fighters alongside MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors and conventional helicopters. The USS America is designated as a Landing Helicopter Assault ship and serves as the flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group Seven, an amphibious warfare task group configured to embark more than 2,000 marines and their equipment, and is escorted by destroyers and submarines as necessary.
Japan are adding a number of these small carriers along with a number of another allied nations. We have had a couple home ported here in Mayport Florida. Great warships. Shalom
Japan has only 2 of them with one quite major design flaw. It has only one full size elevator.
the USA is building a bunch of new aircraft carriers in the last 5 years. This is the opposite of Shalom
My pop was XO on USS Guadalcanal back in the day. This video was really good. Thanks.
Reminds me of the good ole "jeep" carriers of WW2....nice💪🏻
The America class without the well deck is almost a modernized Essex class.
Except the America class is about 30% greater displacement compared to the WWII Essex class fleet carrier. These are LARGE ships compared to everything except a modern nuclear carrier (or the Midway class).
I need you to think about what youre saying. The USA is building boats that remind you of ww2. Say that again, slower.
@@john_in_phoenix Yep. Good hangers as well.
This means the Brits, the Aussies, and the Japanese can do this and multiply the carrier groups x 4-6 factor.
F-35B is more of a game changer than people realize. There isn't any other aircraft that can do what it can. Thank you UK for the tech the Marines to require it.
The UK have two conventional supercarriers designed specifically for the F35B. Each can support 4 squadrons.
Best video I have seen on the Amphibious Assault Ships!
What's needed to maximize the Lightning Carrier (and other F-35 based carriers like the UK's Queen Elizabeth or Japan's Izumo) is an AEW&C aircraft, maybe an Osprey variant.
HMS Queen Elizabeth has E-2 Hawkeye for AEW&C, but HMS Prince of Wales can't accommodate it.
@@niweshlekhak9646 Don't E2 Hawkeye require catapult launches and landing?
@@niweshlekhak9646no, the Brits don’t operate the E-2 nor could they operate them from their carriers as the decided to omit the catapults. Their only naval AEW aircraft is a helicopter platform, the Crowsnest, based on the AugustaWestland AW101 / Merlin. Nowhere near as capable as an E-2 or similar fixed wing platform
@@impettusyes they do. The Brits can’t operate them from their carriers currently as they decided to omit CATOBAR capabilities
The America class amphibious assault ships, initiated with USS America (LHA-6), represent a significant evolution in the design and capabilities of amphibious warfare vessels for the United States Navy. Historically, these ships are built to project power and provide a sea-based platform for the Marine Corps to conduct amphibious and expeditionary operations across the globe. However, the initial designs of the America class made a notable departure from their predecessors by omitting the well deck, a feature that enables the launch and recovery of landing craft and amphibious vehicles, in favor of enhanced aviation capabilities. This shift aimed to leverage the advancements in aircraft technology, particularly the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey, enhancing the ship’s role in air power projection and support for Marine Corps operations.
The design philosophy behind the initial ships, USS America (LHA-6) and USS Tripoli (LHA-7), prioritized an “aviation-centric” approach, expanding hangar space, and optimizing the flight deck to accommodate more aircraft and their operations. This design was influenced by modern warfare’s requirements, where aerial surveillance, transport, and attack capabilities are deemed crucial for strategic and tactical advantages. The emphasis on aviation capabilities was also a response to evolving threat environments, where enhanced air power could provide a decisive edge in amphibious assaults and support operations .
Despite these advancements, feedback and operational assessments highlighted the importance of the well deck for amphibious operations, leading to a reevaluation of the America class’s design. The subsequent ships, starting with USS Bougainville (LHA-8), reintroduced the well deck while striving to maintain robust aviation capabilities. This change reflects a balanced approach to amphibious warfare, acknowledging the critical role of ship-to-shore connectors in landing operations and the strategic value of air power. The inclusion of the well deck in USS Bougainville and subsequent ships like USS Fallujah (LHA-9) allows for the embarkation and deployment of landing craft, enhancing the ships’ versatility in amphibious assault and humanitarian assistance missions. These vessels are designed to support a range of operations, from combat to disaster relief, by facilitating the rapid deployment of Marines, equipment, and supplies from sea to shore .
The decision to reincorporate the well deck into the America class’s design has strategic, technological, and logistical implications. Strategically, it enhances the flexibility and capability of amphibious ready groups by enabling a broader spectrum of operations, from traditional beach landings to disaster relief and humanitarian missions. Technologically, it underscores the Navy’s commitment to integrating air and sea capabilities, ensuring that these ships can serve as a mobile base for both aircraft and amphibious operations. Logistically, the reintroduction of the well deck addresses operational feedback and lessons learned, ensuring that the America class can fulfill the diverse mission requirements of the Marine Corps and Navy .
Historically, amphibious assault ships have evolved from the WWII-era landing ships to the multi-faceted platforms seen today. The America class’s development reflects this continuous evolution, adapting to the changing nature of warfare and operational needs. The reintroduction of the well deck, alongside enhanced aviation facilities, marks a significant step in the ongoing refinement of amphibious assault ship design, aiming to provide balanced capabilities that address the complex challenges of modern and future conflicts. The America class, with its hybrid approach, stands as a testament to the Navy’s adaptive strategy and technological advancement in ensuring global maritime dominance and amphibious warfare capability.
From what i have read LH8 is not a change but simply a decision to have two different types of america class, the lightning carrier of LH 6&7 also known as Flight 0 AND the amphibious assault ship of LH8&9 also known ad Flight 1, LH-10 has been authorized and is scheduled to be a Flight 1 but that is not set in stone and could just as easily be another Flight 0 or the often overlooked Flight 2 with a hover craft dry deck instead of flooded well deck. And do not forget that at least 2 future america class are going to be civilian crewed Military sealift commands AND there is even talk of a heavily modified America class that will be compatible with the mission of the US army Corp of engineers …. Building the Palestine dock and the recent disaster in Baltimore bay speaks to the possible need for a engineer centric vessel that is civilian crewed and can be used by the either and both the ACoE and the Seabees
That’s why it’s called, Invasion-in-a-Box!
A lot of fire power in a lightning carrier group. Virginia class sub. One or two Burke class destroyers. One of the new Constellation class frigates.
Yeah! Do that!!! Roa Aotearoa nui.
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
Thanks!
God bless America !
america supports israel, and Israel is committing genocide in gaza
Drones don't have the penalty of carrying a pilot. In the future they could travel farther with more munitions enhancing the reach of these smaller carriers or smaller drones could carry out some missions of the planes with less risk and in great quantities.
This is game breaking.
Seems like the 3d America class ship WITH the bigger well deck will be far more flexible as a true assault ship. this will permit more landing craft and Marines.
These ships will be ideal for situations where Americans must be evacuated in instances in civil unrest in a foreign country. The fact you park this ship off the cost and have substantial firepower as well the ability to transport larges numbers of people will defintely make a potential advesary or coup leader think twice about harming U.S. Citizens or allies
That’s only if you consider a 45,000 tonne America class amphibious assault ship lightweight ????
Light for the us navy 😅
as mentioned in the post it is in the medium carrier class
With a well deck added back to the ship, then maybe the Marines will wise up and bring back Armor, Maybe not the Abrams but the new 105 equipped APC.
30 MM side guns are one option, I think a mix of short range “SubRoc” would possibly work as well.
"Would possibly work as well ..." for what need/purpose?
@@pike100 subsurface/surface drones, minus the massive torpedo. Perhaps a small ammunition, for self defense.
Exactly that’s why they didn’t want to give it up.
This is Not a new concept. Western navies have been doing this since the Harrier..
The LHA 6 America Class is not larger than the LHD 1 Wasp Class or LHD 8 Makin Island - The length and beam of the ship are essentially the same. Information presented starting at about 1:10 Into the video is wholly incorrect. You may have confused or mixed-up dimension of LHD 1-7 with the dimension of LHA 1-5. Check the "Naval Vessel Registry" to see your error. - Or you may have gotten confused with the original plans for the LHA-6 which include a plug, increase length and the addition of clean ballast tanks on the side, increased beam. However, those plans were scrapped in the first year of the project due expected increase cost. Instead, the concept of removing the stern gate and well deck came about to make it a Harrier Carrier (before F-35), now known as the Lightening carrier. The concept I was told was literally drawn up on paper napkins.
So essentially we are returning to the WW2 strategy of one heavy and one light carrier? Good idea if the strike ranges work out for the aircraft, and the carriers themselves are very well protected.
listen to what you are saying. The USA is building aircraft carriers to get to ww2 strategy.... now google Japan, our ally's military budget and tell me if your view of the world changes
@@davidanalyst671 What Japan does is currently irrelevant. Our concern is the same as in WW2 (actually in any war for that matter), its called "Attrition". Either way you look at it, just as in WW2, we WILL lose Carriers; be it Fleet, Light or escort. Therefore its better to have some less expensive ships that can pick up the slack when that happens. Right?
Seem Like More Air & Less Boots on the Ground. War Smart Not Hard.
I love the idea of air support and controlling the air. But of all the research I’ve done in true war time we can’t get around the fact of having boots on the ground. Nothing can substitute it
@@BeetleBro978 Touche' (smile)
The Marines will scream.
2:12 There is no such thing as an Aegis class. The Aegis is a radar system fitted on multiple ship classes.
Navy brass wanted more carriers.... Got 'em.
navy brass is preparing for war with china
EDIT: The Iraq war did Not End in August 2003 (~13:00 mark)
Why don’t the new assault carriers have nuclear propulsion?
SF carrier
So you regain facilities for tanks after you got rid of the tanks. Talk about poor planning.
Sir,hope all of your narrative assessment are correct, how about sea drone,a small boat perhaps submarine like the narcos are using,soon the Navy must be aware how to counter those cheap weapons turning a billion dollar ship into a piece of junk,thank you.
narco subs arent' subs. If the Coast Guard can catch them I wouldn't worry about them. US Navy is the leader in surface and sub surface drones so they would know how to counter them . The US Navy is not the Russian Navy.
What the fuck is a meter?
Its a thing for measuring electricity as in electricity meter, OR its 39.something inches OR 100 centimetres OR 1000 millimetres, it all depends
Bring back the Harrier. Update it and make it cheaper. The conflict in the Ukraine has demonstrated that quantity is crucial. Amphibious/aircraft carrier class ship can spread out the risk but also increase the combat area. More is better.
How will updating the Harrier make it cheaper?
Harriers were great for their time if we found a cave where a few hundred had been hidden and maintained there would certainly be a use for them. But there is just not enough left and they are too difficult to maintain.
A bunch of new build OV-10 broncos would be a better investment. Light cargo and transport as well as close air support and interdiction are all things they can do better then a Harrier.
the ukraine war has shown that unsurvivable aircraft are sitting ducks. ukraine has hidden away most of its inferior migs and flankers for fear of marauding russian jets only to be found and bombarded out of commission while in their bunkers. At that point you might as well not have aircraft at all. Also how the hell updating it will make it cheaper. adding an AESA radar, electronic warfare suite and counter jamming so that it doesn't nose dive into the ground thinking it's the sky due to modern electronic interference gonna balloon to that of an f-35
Harrier were good for their time.. But can’t fight the next future Wars. It’s not Stealthy, has shorter range and isn’t as fast as the F-35 B.
The Harriers are obsolete. Upgrading them would be a HUGE waste of time and money.
These marine carriers are only for close air support for Marine troops. The F35B can't fly as far or carry as many missiles internally as the F35A and C. It also can't carry anti ship missiles internally so it can't take the place of naval carriers. They are very limited. Considering the cost of developing the F35B it was a waste of money actually. Cheaper methods could've accomplished the close air support function. At a time when naval carriers need to extend their reach beyond a 1000 miles to keep from getting sunk the marine carriers will be sitting ducks in a real war against China as an example.
F35 b allows a large number of American allies to have carriers. Hardly a waste of money. More like a game changer
@@johnfrantz6891 More like ducks in a pond if a real war ever breaks out. They can’t defend themselves from long range missiles
@@impettusthey won’t need to defend themselves…..3 burkes, will provide more than enough defense. Plus don’t forget the USAF will have 5 th gen fighters in the picture.
@@brianlindsey3620 You really mean they will be protected by US super carrier battle groups. Air Force stealth fighters will have their hands full and don't have the range to protect naval assets. In 10 years we'll have a dozen or more B21s and maybe more drone tankers and stealthy drop tanks but until then it will be difficult taking on a country like China.
@@impettus taking on a country like China…..who hasn’t had a naval battle since the 1100’s, has a total of about 200 air sorties total. Sorry but experience counts for a lot…… now if you’re talking about their great hypersonic missiles……LOL let’s just say that I have it from a first hand source that they haven’t had one of those fly over 150 miles before they melt……No I don’t think the Chinese propaganda machine intimidates the 7th fleet at all!!!!