Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 50:45-51:27

Why the US Navy did not need a foreign replacement for Bonhomme Richard

The loss of Bonhomme Richard reduced amphibious aviation capacity, but an active American production line made a foreign landing ship an unnecessary answer.

America Class Amphibious Assault ShipsAmphibious WarfareNaval ProcurementQueen Elizabeth Class Aircraft CarriersUS Navy
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Question

Should the US Navy adopt a foreign landing ship to replace Bonhomme Richard?

Short answer

Probably not, because America-class production was already replacing capacity and allied carriers could help cover deployments in the meantime.

Notes

The loss was serious without becoming a force-structure crisis. New America-class ships were already entering service and could restore the missing capacity. British Queen Elizabeth-class deployments also helped cover allied commitments in the Far East. The existing American programme was sufficient to manage the loss without a foreign purchase.