Fact file: Amphibious assault ship

Fact file: Amphibious assault ship

The US Navy's Amphibious Assault Force is the largest in the world, and plays a key role in America's offensive capabilities.

As part of preparations for a possible war in Iraq the USS Tarawa left San Diego to lead a multi-ship Amphibious Readiness Group en route to the Gulf in January 2003.

It was accompanied on its six month deployment by the transport dock ship the USS Duluth and the dock landing ship the USS Rushmore.

The main purpose of the Tarawa class amphibious assault ship is to land and sustain United States Marines on shore.

Landing craft known as Land Craft Air Cushions, and helicopters are used to move troops onto an enemy's land.

Versatile craft

The Tarawa class can operate independently or as part of a unit.

It has a similar structure to an aircraft carrier and when fully loaded weighs more than 40,000 tons. It carries a crew of approximately 2,500 men, including a Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Although assault ships are primarily used to support attacks from the sea against land defences, they are versatile and can serve other purposes such as a deterrent force or serving in a humanitarian mission.

The Tarawa was commissioned in 1976 and was the first of the five Tarawa class ships in operation. The more recent Wasp class are the largest amphibious ships in the world, the first was commissioned in 1989.

Amphibious assault ships can carry a variety of aircraft and helicopters; during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 they launched Harrier attack planes.

Amphibious assault ship (Tarawa class)
Crew:	900+ as well as Expeditionary Unit of 1,900 plus
Speed:	27.6 miles per hour (24 knots)
Length:	249.9 meters (820 feet)
Width:	31.8 meters (106 feet)
Weight:	40,032 metric tons
Aircraft:	Depends on mission but can include: Super Stallion helicopters, Harrier attack aircraft, Cobra Helicopters
Landing craft:	Landing Craft Air Cushion and Landing Craft Utility