Concept/Program: In 1957 it was planned to convert this ship to an amphibious assault ship, but the conversion was cancelled before work was started.
Class: Commencement Bay class.
Design: Details of the proposed conversion are not known.
Conversion: No conversion work was carried out.
Classification: Reclassified LPH 1 when the conversion was initially planned, but returned to old designation (CVE 106) after the conversion was cancelled.
Served in the Pacific in 1945. Decommissioned to reserve 28 May 1946; used as a school ship at Annapolis while in reserve. Recommissioned as an ASW carrier 28 April 1951. Decommissioned to reserve 27 Aug 1954
Redesignated LPH 1 22 Dec 1957 while in reserve, but conversion to LPH was cancelled 6/1958 prior to start of conversion work. Returned to original designation 17 Feb 1959. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 38) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 July 1959. Sold and scrapped in Japan in 1960.
Concept/Program: Converted to become the first US amphibious assault ship following trials of the concept in other carriers. She carried troops and light equipment, but not the heavy equipment carried by later ships. Troops were landed via helicopter only.
Class: Originally Casablanca class as an escort carrier.
Design: Built on a modified S4 Special type merchant freighter hull.
Conversion: Aviation facilities modified to support helicopters, gun armament greatly reduced. The extreme aft section of the flight deck was cut away to increase clearances around the aft elevator. Facilities for troops and their equipment were fitted.
Modifications: No major modifications in service.
Classification: Classed as helicopter assault carrier (CVHA) upon conversion, but changed to amphibious assault ship (LPH) to avoid confusion with first-line CVA-type carriers.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Replaced by larger, more efficient purpose-built assault ships.
Decommissioned to reserve 7 Aug 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter assault carrier (CVHA 1) 1 July 1955, converted and recommissioned 20 July 1956. Redesignated as an amphibious assault ship (LPH 6) 28 May 1959. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 1 March 1964. Proposed for transfer to Spain but CVL 28 transferred instead. Sold and scrapped in 1966.
Concept/Program: Essex/Ticonderoga class fleet carriers converted to serve as interim assault ships after they were rendered obsolete as carriers. All had seen service as ASW carriers immediately prior to conversion. Conversion of Lake Champlain to LPH was considered but cancelled.
Class: Originally Essex and Ticonderoga class fleet carriers.
Conversion: Catapults, arresting gear, etc. removed. All guns removed except two dual 5/38 and 2 single 5/38 retained for fire support roles. Most radars were removed. 4 of 8 boilers were deactivated; half the hangar was converted as troop berthing and equipment storage spaces.
Variations: Boxer retained all four of the original dual 5/38 mounts and no single mounts.
Modernization: All underwent FRAM II life extension overhaul.
Classification: Reclassified as LPH at the time of conversion.
Operational: These ships were not fully satisfactory in this role. Troop berthing spaces were poorly arranged; equipment storage and transfer facilities did not allow heavy equipment to be carried. The smaller, purpose-built Iwo Jima class ships were much less expensive to operate and maintain and were more effective as assault ships.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Discarded 1969-1970 after completion of the Iwo Jima class.
Damaged by explosion 8/1952. Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 21) 15 Nov 1955. Redesignated as an amphibious assault ship (LPH 4) 30 Jan 1959. FRAM II life extension FY 1962.
Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 1 Dec 1969. Sold for scrapping 2/1971 and subsequently scrapped at Kearny NJ.
Decommissioned to reserve 21 June 1949. Recommissioned for Korean War service 28 Aug 1950 without significant modifications. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 37) 1 October 1952. Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 37) 12 Nov 1953.
Redesignated as an amphibious assault ship (LPH 5) 2 March 1959; converted at Long Beach Navy Yard 3/1959 to 5/1959. FRAM II life extension 10/1960 to 6/1961. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 30 Jan 1970. Subsequently sold and scrapped starting 9/1973.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 45) 12 Nov 1953.
Converted to amphibious assault ship 3/1961 to 7/1961; redesignated LPH 8 1 July 1961. FRAM II life extension, date unknown. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 15 Jan 1970. Sold 29 Oct 1971 and subsequently scrapped.
Concept/Program: First purpose-built amphibious assault ships. These were much more efficient and effective than the previous converted ships.
Design: All-new design, similar in size and overall configuration to WWII escort carriers.
Variations: Inchon completed with small landing craft in davits to provide bad-weather assault capability.
Modifications: Overall there were few modifications. Two 3/50 mounts were replaced by 8-cell Sea Sparrow BPDMS launchers (except in Okinawa no missiles were mounted), and two Phalanx CIWS were added. Several .50 cal MGs were carried for defense against small craft. Ultimately approximately 25 helicopters were embarked.
Modernization: No major modernizations.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Replaced by LHDs during the 1990's.
Other Notes: Inchon was converted to a mine countermeasures command and support ship instead of being decommissioned. She was fitted with facilities for a mine countermeasures group commander and carried 11 minesweeping and utility helicopters. Outfitted to provide in-port and underway support, maintenance and replenishment for surface mine countermeasures vessels. The Sea Sparrow and 3/50 AA were removed; 4 25 mm Bushmaster cannon were added. Troop spaces converted to standard berthing spaces to accommodate crew of 815 plus 652 in various detachments.
Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 31 July 1993. Sold 25 July 1995 and scrapped at Brownsville, TX 1/1996 to 11/1996.
Decommissioned and stricken 19 Nov 1992 but retained as a parts hulk; transferred to MarAd custody for layup 16 January 1993 but returned to the Navy 18 Aug 2000 and moved to Bremerton, WA.
Decommissioned and stricken 31 Aug 1994 but not disposed of. Reportedly this ship was considered for conversion to a mine countermeasures support ship (MCS) instead of, or in addition to, Inchon. Preservation efforts at New York City and Quincy MA failed. Storaged at Philadelphia pending disposal; later moved to James River.
Operated as Sea Control Ship 1972-1974 for trials of the SCS concept. Major overhaul 1994-1995 to provide 10 years of additional service. Decommissioned 25 August 1998; stricken 11/1998 retroactive to 25 August 1998. Stored at Norfolk pending disposal; later moved to James River.
Operated as mine countermeasures support ship during Desert Storm. Hit mine 18 Feb 1991 with significant damage to starboard bow; repaired in the Gulf. Decommissioned and stricken 8 Sept 1995. Leased to US Army 27 June 1997 as a missile trials platform; currently moored at Mare Island awaiting conversion/use by the Army.
Decommissioned 31 October 1997; laid up in reserve at Suisun Bay pending preservation at Long Beach. Stricken for disposal 23 October 1998.
Built by Ingalls. Laid down 8 April 1968, launched 24 May 1969, commissioned 20 June 1970.
Redesignated MCS 12 6 March 1995; converted to mine countermeasures support ship at Ingalls 3/1995 to 28 May 1996. Transferred to Naval Reserve Force (NRF) 30 September 1996 with partial reserve crew.
Concept/Program: A new concept in assault ships, combining the roles of helicopter assault ships (LPH), dock landing ships/transports (LSD/LPD) and command ships (LCC) in one hull. 9 ships were planned, but 4 cancelled due to cost overruns in this and other programs.
Design: Large, bulky hull. Full length flight deck with large hangar. 268 x 78 foot docking well. Extensive storage areas for vehicles and bulk cargo. Large island; extensive command and hospital facilities. 5" guns at flight deck corners. Design included extensive automation, which initially caused serious problems.
Modifications: Aft 5" gun removed to make space for RPV controls; forward 5" guns removed from some ships 1990's. 2 Phalanx CIWS added to all ships, and 2 21 cell RAM are to be added in place of (or in addition to) Sea Sparrow.
Modernization: No major modernizations, but austere overhaul/life extension planned for 1990's; this work will mainly serve to correct existing deficiencies and repair wear-and-tear. Weight reduction will probably include removal of all 5" guns, half the ships' boats, the boat deck and the boat crane; Nassau has already undergone these modifications.
Operational: Now operate with approx. 30 helicopters and 6 VSTOL (Harriers).
Operated as Sea Control Ship 1981.
LHA 6
LHA 7
LHA 8
LHA 9
Concept/Program: An improved version of the Tarawa class, essentially a continuation of the LHA series.
Design: Modified Tarawa design. Changes include: reconfigured docking well, 5" guns eliminated and flight deck corners plated in, command spaces and island reconfigured, improved support facilities for Harriers, aircraft elevator arrangement improved, improved self defense armament.
Classification: Should have been classified in the LHA series.
Operational: Design includes provision to operate as a Sea Control Ship with VSTOL aircraft and ASW helicopters.
Design: It is expected that the design will be based on the Wasp design, with the principal change being use of a "dry deck" (for hovercraft) instead of a docking well. Major technological advances since the Wasp design will surely bring changes in armament, electronics, propulsion, aircraft support facilities, etc. Exterior configuration will include passive stealth measures.
