Landing helicopter dock
A landing helicopter dock (LHD) is a multipurpose amphibious assault ship which is capable of operating helicopters and has a well deck.[1] The United States Navy (USN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) use the term as a hull classification symbol.
LHD vessels are built with a full flight deck similar in appearance to an aircraft carrier to operate utility and attack helicopters. Some can also operate tilt rotor aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey and VSTOL aircraft such as the AV-8 Harrier and the F-35B Lightning II. Examples of this kind of ship include the USN's Wasp class, French Navy's Mistral class and ships of the Spanish Navy's Juan Carlos I class including those designs based on the class, such as the Royal Australian Navy's Canberra class.[1][2] Other nations also use the designation for their vessels, such as the Republic of Korea Navy for its Dokdo class.[3]
The Landing Helicopter Assault (LHA) USN warship classes both precede and follow the ships classed LHD. Most LHAs also have well decks of a comparable size to LHDs, with the exception of the first two America-class ships (LHA-6 and LHA-7) which lack the well deck entirely, taking the space for larger aviation facilities.[1] However, LHA-8 will feature a well deck, returning the terms to their more interchangeable state.
See also[edit]
- Amphibious assault ship
- Helicopter carrier
- List of amphibious warfare ships
- List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships § Amphibious Assault Ship (Multi-Purpose) (LHD)
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Petty, Dan. "Fact File: Amphibious Assault Ships - LHA/LHD/LHA(R)". U.S. Navy. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD)". Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
- ^ "The Dokdo Class: an LHD for the ROK". Defense Industry Daily. July 5, 2007. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
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