The USS Tripoli (LHA-7), the newest America-class amphibious assault ship launched May 1 comes with the ability to immediately deploy the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter flown by the U.S. Marine Corps Aviation.

The F-35B is the short/vertical take-off and landing (SVTOL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. Only the U.S. Marines operate the F-35B.

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The USS Tripoli is the second America-class LHA out of a planned fleet of 11. The lead ship in this class, the USS America (LHA-6), was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in October 2014.

The America-class can be used as small aircraft carriers (also called light carriers) equipped with either 20 F-35Bs or McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II ground attack jump jets also flown by the Marines. It can also deploy a mix of both jets.

It can also accommodate the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey multi-mission, tiltrotor aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities.

In addition, this class can carry several multipurpose helicopters such as the Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk medium-life helicopter or the Bell AH-1Z Viper twin-engine attack helicopter.

The America-class is intended to operate for sustained combat operations in an Amphibious Objective Area. Its operations include embarking, transporting, controlling, inserting, sustaining and extracting elements of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and supporting Marines with attacks by helicopters and AV-8Bs supported by F-35Bs.

The Navy and Marines are implementing a series of extensive preparations on the America-class to ensure that their flight decks, sensors and weapons systems can accommodate the F-35B, whose deployment aboard the USS Tripoli is slated for 2018.

Technological modifications have been completed on the USS America and are now being included in the USS Tripoli.

Enhancements to the USS Tripoli include an enlarged hangar deck; a reconfigurable command and control complex; an on-board hospital; additional aviation fuel capacity and a significant increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment.

TagsUSS Tripoli (LHA-7), Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, U.S. Marine Corps Aviation, America-class, USS America