What's the difference between these flat tops?

The cockpit of a naval ship with aircraft and personnel on deck

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Aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships look the same, but perform different missions. Each room has a different design and has different equipment. Aircraft carriers are essentially mobile air bases designed primarily for air superiority. They transport and operate multiple types of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and command and control (C2) platforms. Aircraft carriers have the ability to dominate the skies by deploying assets for long-range air strikes, surveillance of enemy territory, and strategic support missions.

Amphibious assault ships carrying out operations by sea, such as deploying troops (usually marines) on the coast for direct actions or humanitarian assignments. These operations use short-range aircraft such as helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft and amphibious landing craft to get troops and equipment to shore. Once the troops are there, amphibious assault ships provide air support to ground troops. An understanding of the various missions and capabilities of these flat-top ships provides a better understanding of how they can strengthen a nation’s military.

Missions and equipment

Two Marines smiling on the deck of an amphibious assault ship

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Aircraft carriers are intended to provide air dominance. This is done by deploying long-range aircraft with different mission sets than those on amphibious attack aircraft. These aircraft include fighter jets such as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35C Lightning II, the EA-18G Growler for electronic warfare and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye for surveillance and airborne command and control (C2). These platforms require certain equipment, such as catapults and arresting devices, to successfully launch and retrieve. In addition, aircraft carriers have large maintenance areas to ensure a long-term presence in the air.

Amphibious assault ships are intended for use with ground forces in amphibious combat. They do this by loading, moving and landing members of Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) on a hostile coast. This is done with aircraft and landing craft other than those on aircraft carriers, including a combination of helicopters, tilt-rotor aircraft and landing craft such as the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft and the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) armored personnel. carrier. And in some cases the purpose-built F-35B is used. These ships also have well decks, or large open ports at the back of the ship, that fill with water, allowing ships to float into the sea and onto land.

Operational flexibility and strategic impact

Close-up of the front of a jet aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier

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Airlines allow countries to project the power of their air forces and can be viewed as independent floating airfields. This gives countries the freedom to respond quickly to global conflicts. The wide range of aircraft on board aircraft carriers places them at the heart of naval task forces by conducting strikes, show of force missions and airlifts to ground forces. The presence of an aircraft carrier can be a deterrent to any enemy spotted just offshore.

Amphibious assault ships primarily transport and deploy ground troops – which can then be supported by aircraft carriers – and conduct various humanitarian operations. This special ability to send troops, vehicles and supplies to shore is useful in countries with minimal infrastructure. In addition, short-range aircraft can provide medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and resupply missions. This versatility allows amphibious assault ships to be used in many types of operations beyond air supremacy.

Aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships may look the same, but they play different roles, carry different aircraft, and use different design elements. Both ships are of strategic importance and help countries carry out crucial missions necessary for defense.