Wasp-Class: Is This What A ‘Medium’ Aircraft Carrier Looks Like?
Story by Harrison Kass • Yesterday 12:12 PM
The Wasp-class is a U.S. Navy-operated class of landing helicopter, or LHD, amphibious assault ships. Essentially, the Wasp is an upgraded version of the Tarawa-class; the more advanced Wasp is capable of carrying more advanced aircraft and landing craft. Indeed, the Wasp is capable of carrying nearly one entire U.S. Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Unit, or MEU.
The purpose of the LHD is to transport – and then support – an MEU. Transporting the MEU from sea to shore aboard landing craft and/or helicopters, the LHD can then support the MEU with onboard jump jets like the AV-8B Harrier II or F-35B Lightning II.
Both the Harrier and the F-35B are V/STOL equipped jets, capable of operating from the relatively small deck of the Wasp-class ships.
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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/wasp-class-is-this-what-a-medium-aircraft-carrier-looks-like/ar-AA19VNcu?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=78e9addcec124b9384d211824dcaecbb&ei=22
