The aircraft carriers get a lot of attention. They are some of the most important tools of power projection and symbols of national status.
The US, UK, France, Spain, Italy, India, Russia, and China all have flattops that can launch and land fixed-wing aircraft.
Helicopter carriers evolved from the island-hoping campaigns of World War II. The simultaneous deployment of naval infantry and air support is possible.
Anti-submarine warfare is a mission they can carry out as a multi-purpose vessel.
Amphibious assault ships and helicopter carriers allow smaller naval forces to wield capabilities usually reserved to larger maritime powers.
Since the first San Giorgio-class ship was commissioned in 1988, it has been extensively modified.
The first two ships, San Giorgio and San Marco, are over 500 feet long and over 7,000 tons in displacement. It displaces over 8,000 tons.
Amphibious vehicles can exit and enter from the well deck of the ships. Up to 350 soldiers and 36 armored vehicles can be carried by them. They were armed with a bow-mounted 76mm gun.
San Giorgio and San Marco have full-length decks that can be used by four different types of helicopter. They are only able to carry two landing craft. San Giusto is only able to operate one helicopter.
An improved version of the San Giorgio-class was commissioned by Algeria in 2004.
The deck is only 416 feet, but it is larger than the previous ones. It can carry 450 troops and can land in two places. It has a bow-mounted 76mm gun and is armed with missiles.
The Shichang 82, also known as theType 0891A, was commissioned by China in 1997. It is over 400 feet long and displaces over 10,000 tons. There are at least two landing spots for the Z-9 helicopter.
The design of China's first real amphibious assault ship was influenced by the experience of operating helicopter on the Shichang 82, which is used for training and transport.
The Type 075 can carry 30 helicopters, mostly the Z-8, Z-9 and Z-20 models. The air wing may include Russian-made Ka 52K attack helicopters.
Dozens of armored vehicles, about 900 troops, and multiple hovercraft known as Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) can be carried on the Type 075s.
China plans to have eight in total, with three completed and two entering service. There are reports of interest in a follow-on subclass, the Type 076, which could feature catapults that could be used to launch drones.
The British Royal Navy wanted to carry 800 marines and up to 40 vehicles.
The ocean had a stern ramp and four sets of davits on its sides to launch landing craft.
The ship was sold to Brazil after 20 years in service. The same year as Atlntico, it was recommissioned. Fixed-wing drones and tilt-rotor aircraft can be operated by Atlntico.
A combination of the EC725 Caracal, S-70B Seahawk, and AS350 Ecureuil models can be used on the deck. A total of 18 choppers can be stored in the hangar deck.
The first Mistral-class amphibious assault ship was commissioned by the French Navy. There is a full displacement of over 21,700 tons.
450 troops, over a dozen vehicles, and four landing craft can be launched by the Mistrals.
Six of them can operate on the flight deck at once. NH-90s and SA 330s are the most popular choppers used on Mistrals.
The contract to build two Mistrals for Russia was canceled after the annexation of the peninsula. The ships were sold to Egypt, which bought dozens of Kamov Ka 52K, Kamov Ka 29TB, and Kamov Ka 27P helicopter from Russia.
The first Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship was commissioned in 2007.
Dokdo class ships have flat flight decks and floodable well decks. About 700 marines, a dozen armored vehicles, and two LCACs can be carried by them.
Each Dokdo can carry up to 15 choppers. The KAI MUH-1 Marines will be included in future air wings.
The second Dokdo-class vessel, ROKS Marado, features a number of changes, including vertical launch cells for anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and land- attack missiles.
The first helicopter destroyer was commissioned by Japan in 2009.
Their air wings are usually made up of three SH60K Seahawk and one MCH101.
They have two triple-torpedo tubes and 16 vertical launch missile cells.
Japan is converting its two Izumo-class helicopter carriers into carriers that can fly F-35B jets.
Three sumi-class tank landing ships that are primarily tasked with transporting troops, vehicles, and landing craft but can also operate helicopter on their flat decks are available in Japan.
The Juan Carlos I was commissioned by Spain. It is 757 feet long and can carry up to 24 aircraft, 900 troops, and over a dozen armored vehicles.
The Juan Carlos is different from most amphibious assault ships in that it can operate fixed-wing aircraft.
The Juan Carlos I has a ski-jump ramp that is designed to handle jet blast from short-takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft. Spain has no plans to purchase the F-35Bs.
Juan Carlos I's air wing has a mixture of 12 helicopter and 12 aircraft.
The Juan Carlos I-class is named after a former Spanish king, but other countries also use it.
The basis for Australia's two Canberra-class vessels was built by the same Spanish shipyard as Juan Carlos I.
The ski-jump ramp can't be operated by fixed-wing aircraft because the class can't carry 18 choppers. Their air wings are usually made up of MRH-90s and SH-60s.
Turkey's expulsion from the F-35 program made it impossible for Ankara to buy F-35Bs, and it plans to make TCG Anadolu a drone carrier. A naval variant of the Bayraktar TB2 will be included in the new air wing.
A Turkish official said Anadolu would be able to house up to 80 drones and that Turkey would add a short take off but arrested recovery system to the ship in order to launch and retrieve those drones. The planned Hrjet light attack aircraft and the Turkish-built T129 ATAK attack helicopter are possible additions to Anadolu's air wing.
The Anadolu is expected to enter service later this year.
The US Navy has two different types of ships.
The ship entered service in the late 80's. The ship can carry as many as five M-1 tanks, 35 light armored vehicles, and as many as 1800 Marines. It displaces over 40,000 tons.
One of the eight ships was lost to fire in 2020.
The America-class ships are similar in length but can displace over 44,000 tons. The ships are not well-equipped to carry Marines, but they are able to do so.
The ships can carry a lot of aircraft. A typical air wing consists of six to eight F-35Bs, or up to 20 if they're in a light carrier configuration.
The typical air combat element of an America-class ship's air wing is comprised of five F-35Bs, two UH-1Ys, four CH-53Es, 12MV-22s, and four AH-1Z.
There are two ships in service. The third is under construction and it's called the future ship bougainville. In order to get a smaller aircraft hangar, Bougainville will have a well deck to support amphibious operations.
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