Flattop Amphibious Assault Ship Looks Set To Be Pummeled With Weapons In RIMPAC Wargames
Sinking the ex-USS Tarawa will give the U.S. and its allies experience attacking a carrier-like ship and data on the punishment it can take.
BY
JOSEPH TREVITHICK
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PUBLISHED JUN 10, 2024 5:50 PM EDT
The former US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa is set to be sunk as part of this year's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, which is the first time in more than a decade a ship this big will be used as a target.
The ex-USS Tarawa, a decommissioned U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship, is set to be sunk off the coast of Hawaii at the upcoming 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. This is the first time in nearly two decades that a Tarawa class vessel will be destroyed as a target and it is only the second example to be used for this purpose. This is also the first time in more than a decade that an amphibious assault ship of any kind will be sent beneath the waves in a U.S.-led exercise. As such, RIMPAC 2024 will offer a valuable opportunity to gather data on the effectiveness of different weapons against such a large warship, as well as how the vessel stands up to the punishment.
Author's Note: We have seen some unconfirmed information about the exact disposition of and plan for the ex-Tarawa. We have reached out to the U.S. Navy for additional clarification.
Tarawa, which was decommissioned in 2009, is currently at Ford Island in the center of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This year's iteration of the U.S.-led multi-national RIMPAC exercise is set to kick off on June 26 and run through August 2. A so-called sink exercise (SINKEX) is the capstone event at each biennial RIMPAC, though the type of ship used varies.
Former USS Tarawa (LHA-1) was towed to Ford Island two weeks ago to stripped down and prepped for RIMPAC 2024 and to be used as a “live target” off the cost of Oahu this year. Check on her @MarcoNaron @navyboy68 @TrompZrms @Crew_ZrMs_Tromp !!
https://www.twz.com/sea/flattop-amphibious-assault-ship-to-be-pummeled-with-weapons-in-rimpac-wargames
