U.S. Navy has commissioned a second USS Tripoli-type America helicopter.

On July 15, the USS officially began its service in the American fleet Tripoli (LHA-7) second and last ship of the first series (Flight 0) new type LHA-6.

The USS Tripoli ship built Huntington Ingalls shipyard from Pascaloula, Mississippi. LHA type known initially as LHA(R) was created to replace the old assault helicopter type in service Tarawa (LHA-1). However, their construction was based on USS Makin Island (LHD-8), last landing helicopter type Wasp, differing from other ships of this type using a gas turbine based gym (in place of steam).

If Wasp’y were intended to use vertical take-off aircraft AV-8B Harrier II and landing cushions LCAC It's new. LHA-7 designed to use aircraft F-35B Lightning II, mentioned Harrier ’and shifts MV-22B Osprey. The adoption of the priorities of operations with regard to the use of on-board aviation has resulted in significant structural changes in relation to the predecessors, depriving these ships of the characteristics of the landing unit, such as the dock for landing vessels.

In order to maximise the size of the air group, many ship spaces such as a hospital have been reduced. The changes were so large that the degree of conformity of the structure LHD-8 and LHA-7 is estimated to be 45%. The result of the "aircraft" of these landing ships is in fact the formation of light carriers with a potential greater than most units of this subclass in the world. In USN their capabilities are compared to the type withdrawn years ago Midway.

Changes in the military and political situation of recent years, another assessment of the risks of potential opponents' capabilities caused the recognition of "clean air" LHA-7 for under-adapted optimally to current needs. This led to a return to the use of the dock in the design of subsequent units of this type marked as Flight-1.

The new series has more capacity to deploy forces by sea, but retains quite large capabilities to operate on aviation consumption. Moreover, it has been structurally adapted for the use of F-35B since the beginning, thanks to its enhanced aircraft deck, which on the first two units was mounted as an additional modification.

Written by Tomasz Witkiewicz