An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory during an amphibious assault. The design evolved from aircraft carriers converted for use as helicopter carriers. Modern designs support amphibious landing craft, with most designs including a well deck. Like the aircraft carriers they were developed from, some amphibious assault ships also support V/STOL fixed-wing aircraft and have a secondary role as aircraft carriers.
Well deck of USS Iwo Jima seen from a deployed landing craft
Akitsu Maru of the Imperial Japanese Army
HMS Ocean, a light aircraft carrier seen in 1952, before its conversion into the role of an amphibious assault ship carrying helicopters
An AV-8 Harrier and CH-53 aboard USS Nassau
An amphibious warfare ship is an amphibious vehicle warship employed to land and support ground forces, such as marines, on enemy territory during an amphibious assault.
Three US amphibious warfare ships - a landing helicopter dock leading a landing platform dock (rear) and a landing ship dock (fore)
Anzac Cove amphibious landing, on April 25, 1915.
US Landing Craft Mechanized in Kiska during the Aleutian Islands Campaign.
Canadian landings at Juno Beach in the Landing Craft Assault.
