LHDs

LHD stands for Landing Helicopter Dock, a designation used for a class of amphibious assault ships designed to project military power primarily through aviation operations. LHDs typically feature a full-length flight deck and a hangar to support a sizable aviation component, along with accommodations for embarked troops, vehicles, medical facilities, and command and control spaces. Their primary purpose is to deploy, recover, and sustain helicopter and vertical/short takeoff and landing aircraft to conduct air assault, personnel transport, and logistics operations in support of a land force.

Operational role and doctrine commonly emphasize air mobility and rapid response. LHDs are used to conduct helicopter and V/STOL aircraft operations to transport assault troops from ship to shore, provide medical evacuation and casualty care, and support amphibious task groups during sea-based operations or humanitarian missions. While they can operate a range of aircraft, their emphasis is on aviation capacity rather than fixed-wing strike capabilities. Some ships in this category also serve as command platforms for amphibious task groups and can coordinate joint operations with land forces.

Design and features commonly found on LHDs include a large flight deck, a dedicated aircraft hangar, and vehicle and troop accommodation spaces. They are typically equipped with defensive systems and communications suites to enable command-and-control functions for expeditionary deployments. Capacity and exact configurations vary by class and navy, but modern examples are capable of operating dozens of helicopters and supporting hundreds to thousands of personnel, depending on mission requirements.

Notable operators and examples include the United States Navy’s Wasp-class and the newer America-class ships, France’s Mistral-class, and Spain’s Juan Carlos I. Other navies operate similar vessels designed to combine aviation power with amphibious assault and rapid-response capabilities.