Tarawa class
1976
The Tarawa class established the basis for all future assault carriers. They combine in a single hull the capabilities of previous LPH (helicopter carrier), LPD (well decks), LKA (cargo ships) and LCC (command and control ships) classes. They have distinctive bow sponsons, originally for 5in (127 mm) Mk 45 lightweight guns, subsequently removed in order to gain a squared-off forward flight deck.
| Assault Carrier · ships | |
| crew: | 900 |
| troops: | 1900 |
| full load (tn): | 39400 |
| length (m): | 250 |
| beam (m): | 32 |
| draught (m): | 7.9 |
| max speed (knots): | 24 |
| power (shp): | 70000 |
Class Family
Systems
| 2 | Naval Engine | boilers |
| 2 | Naval Engine | steam turbines |
| 2 | Missile Launcher | Mk 49 21-cell RAM |
| 2 | Close-In Weapon System | CIWS Phalanx 20 mm |
| Chaff and decoys | Mark 36 SRBOC | |
| 4 | Naval Gun | Mark 38 25 mm |
| Naval Radar | air search radar AN/SPS-52 | |
| Aids | TACAN URN-20 |
Shipyards
| Shipyard | Built |
|---|---|
| Ingalls Shipbuilding |
5 |
Aircraft
| Manufacturer | Operator | Typical | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing-Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight | US Marine Corps |
12 | 42 |
| Bell UH-1N | US Marine Corps |
2 | |
| Bell AH-1 Cobra / Viper | US Marine Corps |
4 | |
| Sikorsky MH/CH-53E | US Marine Corps |
6 |
Ships
| Built | Decom | Ship | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 2009 | LHA-1 | USS Tarawa |
| 1977 | 2007 | LHA-2 | USS Saipan |
| 1978 | 2005 | LHA-3 | USS Belleau Wood |
| 1979 | 2011 | LHA-4 | USS Nassau |
| 1980 | 2015 | LHA-5 | USS Peleliu |