The USS America Might Be Headed to the Middle East

The America’s design prioritizes aviation operations, a significant departure from earlier amphibious assault ships.

With the ongoing Israel-Iran War dominating the attention of world leaders, the US military has decided to make major changes to its force posture—namely, guting the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) of major resources and sending them over to US Central Command (CENTCOM). Not only have aircraft carrier battle groups been taken away from deterring China in the Indo-Pacific, but even smaller warships appear to be on their way to the Middle East as well. One such warship, the USS America (LHA-6), was recently spotted entering Sydney Harbor. 

The USS America (LHA-6) is the lead ship of the America-class amphibious assault ships. It represents a key capability that the United States Navy has historically kept positioned in the Indo-Pacific, where it is needed to deter China—especially as so many other key assets are moved from INDOPACOM to CENTCOM.

Commissioned in 2014, this vessel is designed to project power, support expeditionary warfare, and serve as a versatile platform for a wide array of missions—from humanitarian aid to full-scale combat operations. As the first of its class, the USS America introduces significant advancements over its predecessors, particularly the Wasp-class amphibious assault ships, with enhanced aviation capabilities, increased survivability, and a design optimized for future operational needs.

These amphibious assault ships—effectively miniature aircraft carriers—were developed to meet the evolving needs of the US Navy and Marine Corps in the 21st century. The Wasp-class ships, which preceded the America-class, were highly capable, but faced limitations in aviation capacity and adaptability to emerging technologies such as the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

In response, the Navy initiated the LHA(R) program (Landing Helicopter Assault Replacement) to design a new class of amphibious assault ship that could better support aviation-centric operations while maintaining the core functions of amphibious warfare.

Laid down at the Huntington Ingalls Industries facility in Pascagoula, Miss., the USS America was first launched in 2012 and commissioned on October 11, 2014, in San Francisco, California. Named in honor of the United States itself, the ship carries a legacy tied to earlier vessels, including the World War II-era USS America (CV-66)—emphasizing the integration of air and sea operations to support the Marine Corps’ expeditionary mission while addressing threats in contested environments. 

The America’s design prioritizes aviation operations, a significant departure from earlier amphibious assault ships. Unlike the Wasp-class, which balanced well-deck operations (for launching aircraft) with aviation capabilities, the USS America and her sister ship, the USS Tripoli (LHA-7), were built without a well deck, dedicating more space to aircraft hangars, maintenance facilities, and fuel storage. This decision has sparked debate, as the absence of a well deck limits the ship’s ability to deploy landing craft directly, but it reflects the Navy’s focus on aviation-driven power projection. Later ships in this class, starting with the USS Bougainville (LHA-8), reintroduced the well deck to restore traditional amphibious capabilities.

The America-class is powered by two LM2500+ gas turbine engines, providing a top speed of over 20 knots and the ability to operate independently for extended periods. Its propulsion system, combined with advanced command-and-control systems, ensures operational flexibility across diverse mission profiles. The ship’s crew consists of approximately 1,059 sailors, with the capacity to embark up to 1,687 Marines, depending on the mission.

America can support a mix of aircraft, including MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) fighters, AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters, and CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters. The flight deck, which spans over two acres, features seven landing spots and can accommodate simultaneous takeoffs and landings.  

The expanded hangar bay and increased aviation fuel capacity allow the ship to sustain prolonged air operations, making it a “lightning carrier” capable of functioning as a small aircraft carrier in certain scenarios.

This ship comes equipped with a robust defensive suite, including the Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS), Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers, Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems (CiWS), and electronic warfare capabilities. Additionally, the America incorporates stealth features, such as reduced radar cross-section, to enhance its operational security.

Ultimately, the USS America plays a key role in the US Navy’s strategy of maintaining a forward presence and deterring potential adversaries. In an era of great power competition, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, the ship’s ability to project power, support expeditionary forces, and operate in contested environments is invaluable. The America-class strengthens the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to conduct distributed maritime operations, a concept that emphasizes dispersed, resilient forces capable of operating across vast distances. 

If the United States is redeploying every other asset from INDOPACOM to CENTCOM, the USS America ought to be kept in its modest role of deterring the Chinese military in the Indo-Pacific. Pulling it out to send to the Middle East is likely a grave error. 

About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert

Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.