USS Wasp (LHD-1) is a modern American multipurpose amphibious assault ship. The keel of this unit was laid down in 1985, launched in August 1987, and commissioned into service with the US Navy in 1989. The ship is 257 m long, 32 m wide, and has a full displacement of about 41,000 tons. The ship's maximum speed is about 22-23 knots. The unit has onboard weapons, such as: two 20-mm Vulcan Phalanx complexes, three 25-mm Bushmaster guns or two NATO Sea Sparrow launchers. The ship can also use up to 25-27 manned aircraft.
USS Wasp (LHD-1) is the lead unit of the class of amphibious assault ships of the same name. The Wasp-class ships were designed to replace the Tarawa-class ships, but their construction benefited from extensive experience gained during their operation. The main task of the Wasp ships is amphibious operations. For this purpose, they were adapted to transport about 2,000 fully equipped US Marines, who can be landed using helicopters, landing barges or hovercraft, which are also transported by this type of amphibious ships. Due to their size, they can act as light aircraft carriers and are adapted to operate with AV-8 Harrier II or F-35B Ligthning II aircraft. The lead ship of this class – USS Wasp (LHD-1) – was built at the Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula. It began its combat service in the Mediterranean Sea, and in 1993 operated in the Somalia region, and later returned to this body of water. In 2004-2012, the unit was operated less intensively than its similar ships. However, it supported the actions of American troops in Afghanistan in 2004. It is worth adding that during this period, prototypes of the F-35B were tested at the base of the unit. The unit is still in active service.
