Page 36: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2015)

SHIPS OF WAR

LHA 6 with an Aviation FocusLHA 6 with an Aviation Focus

By Peter Ong he U.S. Navy’s newest Ship. With a displacement of approxi-

Amphibious Assault Ship, mately 45,000 tons fully-combat loaded,

USS America (LHA 6) was a length of 844 ft., a beam of 106 ft., and commissioned on Octo- a draft of 26 ft., the USS America can

T ber 11, 2014 at Pier 30-32 sail in excess of 20 knots via two marine in San Francisco. First in its class, the gas diesel turbines generating 70,000

USS America does not have a well deck, total bhp. The ship cost about $3 bil- unlike her previous counterparts, thus lion dollars and was launched on June 4, making the USS America an LHA with 2012. The USS America sailed around an aviation focus. The removal of the South America on her maiden voyage well deck allows USS America to have after her launch from Pascagoula, Mis- larger hangar facilities and more capac- sissippi with stops in Guantanamo Bay, ity for aviation fuel and munitions. The Cuba, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Colum-

U.S. Navy points out that, “In lieu of a bia before arriving at her homeport in well deck, the LHA 6 hangar bay was San Diego, California on September 15, enlarged and numerous aviation-related 2014. USS America’s sailors and Ma- work spaces and shops were incorporat- rines conducted joint-training programs ed.” She has two aircraft elevators, one with these South American allies. Her each on the port and starboard side be- role is to act as ? agship for Marine Ex- hind the superstructure, and her two twin peditionary Units and will be capable of smokestack funnels are angled away to supporting the V-22 tilt-rotor Ospreys starboard from the ? ight deck. and CH-53E “Sea Stallions” to transport

USS America is the fourth U.S. Navy them ashore. Aviation ? repower will be ship to bear the name, and the ? rst provided by AH-1Z “Super Cobra” and

America-class Amphibious Assault MH-60R “Sea Knight” helicopters, and 36 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • FEBRUARY 2015

MR #2 (34-41).indd 36 MR #2 (34-41).indd 36 2/6/2015 9:29:50 AM2/6/2015 9:29:50 AM