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The American command hopes to form a fleet of light aircraft carriers that will complement the Ford-type giants with a displacement of over 100 thousand tons.
- reported in the publication USNI News.
We are talking about the newest UDC USS Tripoli (LHA-7) with a displacement of 45 thousand tons. It is expected that it is possible to place an aircraft of 18-20 vehicles and at the same time transport 500 Marines at the same time.
- the commander of one of the squadrons noted, referring to the desire of the command to significantly increase the potential of the aircraft carrier fleet to fight opponents with powerful air forces.
The concept of the "Lightning Carrier" (light aircraft carrier) has been discussed for years at the Pentagon. Now an important step has been taken to implement it, although back in 2003, during the invasion of Iraq, the USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) were used to deploy aircraft units – two squadrons of AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft.
At the same time, questions remain about how the Lightning Carrier concept will work in reality. For example, it is necessary to take into account the impossibility of using AWACS aircraft, such as E-2D, on board former helicopter carriers.
