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Most people know what an amphibious assault ship is. It's a large warship designed to carry and support troops who will make amphibious landings via helicopter or smaller vessels. Here is a picture of the USS Kearsarge. It's one of the largest amphibious assault ships at 40,500 tons, with a length of 844 feet. It has a crew of 100 officers and over 1,000 enlisted. It carries 42 transport helicopters and five Harrier "jump jets". It will support a landing force of almost 2,000 marines.


Recently our friends and allies the French, in conjunction with the United Nations (the French do nothing without the collaboration of the U.N. mind you), launched their first amphibious assault craft. It's not in the same class as the Keararge, but it's a start. :-)