The US aircraft carriers you didn't know about

The United States Navy operates 11 Ford and Nimitz-class supercarriers, but many don't realize that it also has 9 amphibious assault ships capable of supporting F-35B operations, making the real tally closer to 20.

#aircraftcarrier #aircraft #usnavy #navy #shorts #airpower #military

[randomuser]

“Each can carry more stealth fighters than are in all of Russia” you know how little that narrows things down

[Chuck_Hooks]

F-35Bs have quietly revolutionized Allied carrier warfare.

Japan will be operating fixed wing carriers for the first time since WWII

[SoloRenegade]

Keep in mind that each of these smaller carriers, is larger than a WW2 Essex class carrier.

[NewfieOnWheels]

When your Navy has an Army and an Airforce, except your Navy's army also has it's own air force and Navy (which has it's own Airforce) and all of them would be some of the most powerful in the world on their own.

Real USA moment.

[socks]

I served on a Wasp class. They're basically the same size as a WWII aircraft carrier.

[mikethompson]

My first thought was OK the F-35 has potential but the carrier won't have the benefit of the Hawkeye AWACS for protection. Then I realized the F-35 might be able to do that role as well.

[OUTERGALACTICFROGGY]

My grandfather always told me growing up “don’t fear what they show you publicly, fear what they don’t show you!”

[dougcoombes]

The "Jeep" carriers of WW II did stellar service, hunting for U-boats in the Atlantic and supporting amphibious operations across the world. It was the US escort carriers that turned back the Japan breakthrough at the battle off Samar and the sacrifice of Taffy 3. They hit the Japanese main fleet so hard including the battleship Yamato that the Japanese thought they were fighting Halsey and the fleet carriers and cruisers of the 3rd Fleet.

With V/STOL F-35s now in US service smaller carriers become a much more potent asset.

[coreytaylor]

even these carriers could be the crown jewel of most navies? and they arnt even notable enough for America to be common knowledge? thats a fuck of a lead we got

[NinjaKiller]

Those ships might not be as large as the it’s larger US Aircraft Carrier siblings, but they are still huge ships. Calling them mini-carriers would be very appropriate though, as they will be using these ships for their mini carrier groups that they’ve been working on.

[danielcervantes]

"each can carry more stealth fighters onboard than are in service in all of Russia"

To be fair, that's not exactly a high bar

[kimberlainodriscoll]

I served on the last Tarawa class amphibious carrier (USS Peleliu LHA 5). These amphibious carriers are awesome ships.

[Hey_MikeZeroEchoP]

They call those AMERICA-class "carriers", with

"LIGHTENING Carriers"!!! Yeah-Baby!!

USN Vet 20+ years!!

[matthewclatworthy]

Add in the 12 San Antonio Class as well and it’s quite the force projection fleet! 😲

[dmutant]

I visited the USS Peleliu back in the '90s down in San Diego. These are amazing ships, even back then. F-35s are a serious force multiplier.

[thezackast]

I find it rather hilarious that the US has less amphibious assault ships than super carriers.

[montecorbit]

They pioneered this concept with the "harrier carrier".... From when the Marines used the harrier jump jet....

[tscott]

Semper Fi brother. There is a lot of Navy pushback on allowing the Corps this elevated status. Good to see you promoting the Marines through knowledge of this important aspect of the Navy/Marine Corps team.

[chriscrumpler]

In 2003 I deployed aboard USS BONHOMME RICHARD, LHD-6. There were 19 Harriers on board. An even earlier proof of concept.

[redfender]

Also the Navy; those Jarheads absolutely need the Osprey, they’re gonna love it