LHA (hull classification symbol)
Encyclopedia
LHA, for Landing Helicopter Assault, is the US Navy hull classification symbol
for the general purpose helicopter
-carrying amphibious assault ship
s of the Tarawa
and the future America classes. They are used to transport Fleet Marine Force
personnel and equipment while operating in a deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit
. They normally travel in groups called Amphibious Ready Groups. These ships and their escorts are capable of anything from landing operations, to humanitarian operations.
The new America-class LHAs differ from both the older Tarawa-class LHAs and LHDs in that they will have no well deck
.
Hull classification symbol
The United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration use hull classification symbols to identify their ship types and each individual ship within each type...
for the general purpose helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
-carrying amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship
An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...
s of the Tarawa
Tarawa class amphibious assault ship
The Tarawa class is a ship class of amphibious assault ships operated by the United States Navy . Five ships were built by Ingalls Shipbuilding between 1971 and 1980; another four ships were planned, but later cancelled...
and the future America classes. They are used to transport Fleet Marine Force
Fleet Marine Force
The United States Fleet Marine Forces are combined general and special purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that are designed in engaging offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment...
personnel and equipment while operating in a deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit
Marine Expeditionary Unit
A Marine expeditionary unit , formerly called Marine amphibious unit , is the smallest Marine air-ground task force in the United States Fleet Marine Force...
. They normally travel in groups called Amphibious Ready Groups. These ships and their escorts are capable of anything from landing operations, to humanitarian operations.
The new America-class LHAs differ from both the older Tarawa-class LHAs and LHDs in that they will have no well deck
Well deck
A well deck or well dock is a hangar-like deck located at the waterline in the stern of some amphibious warfare ships. By taking on water the ship can lower its stern, flooding the well deck and allowing boats and amphibious landing craft to dock within the ship. This facilitates moving cargo...
.
| Hull number Hull number Hull number is a serial identification number given to a boat or ship. A lower number implies an older vessel. The precise usage varies by country and type.... |
Name | Commissioned | Decommissioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| s | |||
| September 30, 2009 | |||
| April 20, 2007 | |||
| October 28, 2005 | |||
| March 31, 2011 | |||
| s | |||
| Under construction | |||
See also
- Amphibious assault shipAmphibious assault shipAn amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...
- Helicopter carrierHelicopter carrierHelicopter carrier is a term for an aircraft carrier whose primary purpose is to operate helicopters. The term is sometimes used for both ASW carriers and amphibious assault ships....
- List of amphibious warfare ships