Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:38:38-5:39:46

How two Trieste-class LHDs would change the Royal Navy

Two Italian LHDs would replace several amphibious capabilities and give Britain four F-35B-capable flight decks, though with range and air-group compromises.

Amphibious WarfareF-35BFleet Air ArmLHDRoyal NavyTrieste Class Amphibious Assault Ships
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Question

What would the Royal Navy do with two Trieste-class LHDs?

Short answer

Use them as the amphibious force's core and as secondary F-35B decks, producing a useful four-flight-deck fleet despite range and capacity compromises.

Notes

The ships could assume much of the work formerly associated with Albion, Bulwark, and Ocean. Together with the Queen Elizabeth class, they would give the fleet four aviation-capable hulls and improve the chance that two flight decks remained available. Their smaller air groups and different endurance would not perfectly match British requirements. Even so, they approximate the earlier Royal Navy concept of two strike carriers supported by three LHDs using a common F-35B force.