The Amphibious Assault Ship USS Wasp Is Carrying An Unusually Large Number Of F-35s

Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp arriving at Subic Bay in the Philippines ahead of the Balikatan exercises. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin F. Davella III

Business Insider: A US Navy warship was seen in the South China Sea carrying an unusually large number of F-35s

* The US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Wasp recently sailed in the South China Sea on its way to the annual Balikatan exercises in the Philippines.
* The warship was carrying an unusually large load of F-35s, nearly twice as many as normal, The National Interest first noticed.
* The heavier configuration could be a first step toward a "light carrier" concept known as the "Lightning carrier," The War Zone said.

The US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Wasp was recently seen sailing in the South China Sea on its way to the Philippines with an unusually heavy configuration of F-35s.

The Wasp was carrying at least 10 F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, more than the usual load of six of these hard-hitting fifth-generation jet fighters, The National Interest first reported, adding that the warship may be testing the "light carrier" warfighting concept known as the "Lightning carrier."

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WNU Editor: Besides 10 F-35Bs, here are also four MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters on board.