// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
LHA
An LHA is a large U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship designed to transport and deploy Marines, aircraft, and their equipment from sea to land. It acts as a sea base for launching amphibious operations and can also serve as a command ship.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An LHA, or Landing Helicopter Assault ship, is a U.S. Navy multi-purpose amphibious assault ship class (e.g., America-class, formerly Tarawa-class) characterized by its large flight deck for rotary-wing and V/STOL aircraft (like F-35B, MV-22 Osprey) and capacity to transport and deploy a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) with associated combat equipment, providing expeditionary warfare and command-and-control capabilities.
SYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Amphibious Assault Ship
- Helicopter Carrier
- Assault Ship
- Amphib
- Big Deck Amphib
USAGE NOTE
LHAs are crucial for projecting naval power, conducting humanitarian assistance, and supporting disaster relief operations globally due to their versatility and extensive capacity.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to LHA.
As the sole builder of the America-class (LHA-6/7/8) amphibious assault ships for the U.S. Navy, HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding division is central to the design, construction, and technological advancement of LHA vessels. They are responsible for the overall ship platform and integration.
As a U.S. Navy agency, NAVSEA oversees the design, engineering, acquisition, and maintenance of the Navy's fleet, including the LHA class ships. They are the technical authority and program manager for LHA development and upgrades.
GE Marine supplies the gas turbine engines, specifically the LM2500 series, which are a critical component of the integrated propulsion systems for many U.S. Navy surface combatants, including the America-class LHAs.
Raytheon provides various advanced systems for LHA ships, including radar systems, integrated combat management systems (e.g., Ship Self-Defense System - SSDS), electronic warfare suites, and command and control technologies.
Lockheed Martin contributes significantly to naval technology, supplying combat systems integration, advanced sensor systems, communications technologies, and potentially future radar systems (like SPY-6) for large naval platforms, including amphibious assault ships.
BAE Systems develops and supplies various naval weapons systems, including gun systems (e.g., 5-inch Mk 45 naval guns), missile launchers, and other shipboard equipment crucial for the defense and operational capabilities of LHA vessels.
Rolls-Royce provides critical marine propulsion components and power generation systems for naval vessels. For the America-class LHAs (LHA-6/7), they supply fixed-pitch propellers as part of the propulsion train.