m921134@usna.navy.mil (CIRILLO 09 N05 DANE C A) (03/06/90)
From: "CIRILLO 09 N05 DANE C A" <m921134@usna.navy.mil> RE: Harriers on US ships, have they got takeoff ramps? Currently, the USN does not have ramps on their ships for the MARINES Harriers. The Harriers operate on Amphibious Assault Ships such as the "Wasp" and "Tarawa" classes. The "Wasp" class ships are capable of carrying approx. 40 Harrier VSTOL and helicopters and the "Tarawa" class ships can carry approx. 35. It is possible for them to operate from smaller amphibious ships such as an Amphibious Transport Dock of the "Austin" class, but since these old ships (the latest one was launched in 1970) were not designed for Harrier type aircraft, special preperations have to be made to protect the ship's landing deck from the aircraft's engines. Harriers are also flown from carriers by the Indian and Spanish Navies. ========================================================================= m921134@n1.usna.navy.mil (C.D.Cirillo) =========================================================================