
The ''Tripoli'', a US Navy LPH of the ''Iwo Jima'' class
A 'Landing Platform, Helicopter' is a type of
amphibious assault ship that is specifically designed to deliver
troops into a war zone by
helicopter, but which usually has a limited capability of
landing troops by sea using small
landing craft. These ships often resemble traditional
aircraft Carriers, although they are invariably much smaller.
These ships are the descendants of the
Royal Navy "commando carriers" such as
HMS ''Bulwark'' and
''Albion'' of the post WWII period.
'LPH' is the
US Navy hull classification symbol for Landing Platform, Helicopter—amphibious assault ships of the
''Iwo Jima'' class and two converted
''Ticonderoga'' class aircraft carriers. No ships of this classification are currently in active service with the United States Navy:
★ (LPH-2)
USS ''Iwo Jima''
★ (LPH-3)
USS ''Okinawa''
★ (LPH-4)
USS ''Boxer'' (ex CV-21)
★ (LPH-5)
USS '' Princeton '' (ex CV-37)
★ (LPH-7)
USS ''Guadalcanal''
★ (LPH-8)
USS ''Valley Forge'' (ex CV-45)
★ (LPH-9)
USS ''Guam''
★ (LPH-10)
USS ''Tripoli''
★ (LPH-11)
USS ''New Orleans''
★ (LPH-12)
USS ''Inchon''
Note that there is another
US Navy amphibious assault carrier named
USS ''Iwo Jima'' (LHD-7), but they are entirely different vessels. The USS ''Iwo Jima'' in question is the only one of the LPH ''Iwo Jima'' class.
The
Royal Navy has one active ship of this class,
HMS ''Ocean'' (L12).
See also
★
Landing Platform Dock
★
List of amphibious warfare ships