Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship

USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2)
USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2), the lead ship of the class, off the coast of South Vietnam in 1965.
Class overview
Builders
Operators United States Navy
Preceded byEssex class (some ships converted)
Succeeded byTarawa class
In commission1961–2002
Completed7
Active0
Laid up0
Retired7
General characteristics
TypeAmphibious assault ship (LPH)
Displacement
Length592 ft (180 m)
Beam84 ft (26 m)
Draft27 ft (8.2 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × 600 psi (4.1 MPa) boilers,
  • one geared steam turbine,
  • one shaft,
  • 22,000 shaft horsepower (16 MW)
Speed22 knots (41 km/h)
Troops2,157
Complement667
Armament
Aviation facilities
  • 25 helicopters or AV-8 Harriers
  • Flight deck width: 105 ft (32 m)

The Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy were the first amphibious assault ships designed and built as dedicated helicopter carriers, capable of operating up to 20 helicopters to carry up to 1,800 marines ashore.[1] They were named for battles featuring the United States Marine Corps, starting with the Battle of Iwo Jima. The first ship of the class was commissioned in 1961, and the last was decommissioned in 2002. The hull classification of "LPH" stands for "Landing Platform Helicopter".

  1. ^ Friedman, Norman (2002). U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Illustrated Design Histories. Naval Institute Press. pp. 351–362. ISBN 1-55750-250-1. Retrieved March 22, 2010.