The U.S. Navy Is Converting Its Amphibious Assault Ships Into F-35 Mini-Carriers

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chad Swysgood

Washington Times: Navy eyes converting amphibious assault ships into nimble F-35 carriers

The U.S. Navy is looking to the past for a possible solution to its current aircraft carrier problems.

Borrowing an idea employed in World War II, the service is seriously looking at retrofitting smaller ships normally used to transport Marines into battle. Instead of troops, the new “Mini Carriers” would have a squadron of F-35B Lightning II jet fighters.

“I have a demand for carriers right now that I can’t fulfill,” Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer said Wednesday in a briefing for reporters at the Heritage Foundation.

While aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of the Navy’s forward-deployed military strategy, they are expensive. The U.S.S. Gerald Ford — the first in the Ford class of supercarriers — cost about $12 billion.

Mr. Spencer said the U.S. military’s combatant commanders want the overwhelming combat power aircraft carriers give them.

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WNU Editor: When your entire east coast aircraft carrier fleet is in port for repairs/upgrades, you better look for alternatives .... All Six Of The US Navy’s Aircraft Carriers Assigned To The East Coast Are In Port For Repairs (October 30, 2019). Using the fleets amphibious assault ships as a mini-carrier does show some promise .... Behold USS America Sailing With A Whopping 13 F-35Bs Embarked Aboard (Warzone/The Drive).