Aviation cannot replace the amphibious dock

A flexible LHD can combine limited strike aviation, helicopters, troops, and heavy equipment. Helicopters are excellent for moving personnel and lighter loads, but they cannot normally carry a fully fueled, armed, and protected main battle tank. Even a hypothetical 50-ton-lift Chinook could carry an Ajax armored vehicle but not a combat-loaded Challenger tank. Fixed-wing transports also require vehicles to be lightened or otherwise prepared for air movement. A well deck and landing craft therefore remain central to delivering combat-ready tanks and armored personnel carriers across the ship-to-shore gap.