| [Edit]
General characteristics of the Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy:
Power Plant: Two boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower (52 MW)
Displacement: 39,400 tons (40,032 t) full load
Speed: 24 knots (44 km/h)
Aircraft: (Actual mix depends upon mission)
Four more ships of the class were in the long range plans, but were cancelled prior to being ordered or named.
Ships Company: 82 officers, 882 enlisted
Marine Detachment 1,900 plus
Armament: Two RAM launchers; two Phalanx 20 mm CIWS mounts; four 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns; four 25 mm Mk 38 Bushmaster cannons. The class was originally equipped with 2 5"/54 (127 mm) Mk. 45 lightweight guns, intended for shore bombardment and anti-air defense as well as point defense against ships and boats. In practice, these proved ineffective, and were removed from all five vessels.
The Tarawa class formed the basis for the later ''Wasp'' class. They can be best told apart from bow sponsons. The Tarawa type has bow sponsons, originally for 5 inch (127 mm) guns, while the Wasp does not.
|
|
