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Subject:
The LHA(N)
Charles99
3/2/2008 3:24:58 AM
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I've been wondering about this-- the early designs for the LHA(R) were for something that was pretty damned impressive-- able to support fixed wing air at the same time as conducting helicopter operations with a very large airgroup. (Forget the exact, but I think it was about 65 thousand tons). Now, the current LHA(R) is an evolutionary successor to the Wasp class.
But would it ever be wise to go back to the more radical idea, perhaps with nuclear propulsion? For one thing, the LHA's are already probably tougher then just about any other carrier in teh world other than US CVN's (at least they will be when the F-35 shows up), but the lack of an ability to operate CTOL aircraft is a major defect. A larger ship, especially with catapult facilities would solve that. Alternatley, if a catapult/arresting gear system imposes to great a penalty in terms of weight and space the larger ship would be able to operate more F-35's while keeping a robust number of troop helicopters and MV-22's on board.
Granted it won't happen now, no chance of that, but I can't help but think the navy rather missed an opportunity to both give the marines a vastly superior LHA and provide themselves with some considerable extra firepower in terms of naval air.
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