Huntington Ingalls Industries launched the U.S. Navy’s first America-class amphibious assault ship, at Pascagoula, Mississippi, in June. Another is currently under construction. The new ships, to be named the America (LHA-6) and Tripoli (LHA-7), are based on the previous Wasp and Tarawa classes. Unlike the older vessels, however, the America class is not fitted with a well deck for landing craft but is instead optimized for aviation operations. Though many remain critical of this design change, the increased aviation facilities afford more space for storage of aviation parts, support equipment, and fuel. The America class will be capable of carrying more than 20 F-35B short-takeoff/vertical-landing strike fighters or a balanced mix of aircraft and helicopters that could include 6 F-35Bs, 12 MV-22 Ospreys, 4 CH-53 heavy-lift helicopters, 3–4 AH-1 attack helicopters, 3–4 UH-1 utility helicopters, and 2 MH-60 search-and-rescue helicopters. Full load displacement is expected to be 44,971 tons, and the ships will house a crew of 1,059 with the capability to transport 1,687 Marines. Delivery of the America is expected in 2013, the Tripoli in 2018.
The Royal Australian Navy’s troubled amphibious fleet suffered a minor setback, but also a major advance, this summer. Early in July its newest amphibious ship, the 16,000-ton HMAS Choules, experienced a transformer casualty, repairs for which could take her out of service for up to six months. This bit of news was overshadowed, however, by the more positive announcement that the second Canberra-class amphibious assault ship, HMAS Adelaide, was launched four months ahead of schedule by Spain’s Navantia shipyard. The Adelaide is expected to displace more than 27,000 tons when fully loaded and is due to enter service in 2015, joining sister Canberra, which is planned to commission in 2014. The two ships are based on the Spanish Juan Carlos I class and will be able to transport nearly 1,000 troops, 100 armored vehicles, and 12 helicopters. These vessels will fill the gap caused by the retirement of older landing ships, including HMAS Manoora and Kanimbla, both of which were stricken in 2011.
The Japanese-Indian maritime exercise known as JIMEX 12 kicked off in early June, officially marking the first such undertaking between the two navies. The training focused primarily on humanitarian assistance and counterpiracy cooperation and included visit/board/search-and-seizure training and drills. Japan and India have been increasing their military cooperation, potentially as a counterweight to China’s growing military capabilities in the region. A 2012 white paper published by Japan’s Ministry of Defense explained that “India’s rapid expansion of military cooperation with friendly nations not only strengthens the security environment of the South Asia region, but also is expected to enhance security worldwide.” The joint naval exercises incorporated Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers, including the JDS Murasame and Harusame, and the Indian destroyer INS Rana, frigate Shivalik, corvette Karmukh, and several support ships.