‘Lightning carrier concept’: lessons for China in US Navy’s use of amphibious ships as small carriers

Beijing should keep a close eye on a new naval combat concept demonstrated by the US that can turn amphibious ships into small aircraft carriers, adding power and flexibility to the nation’s navy, say analysts.

The “Lightning carrier concept” was demonstrated by the US Navy and Marine Corps in an exercise from March 30 to April 8 when 20 of its F-35B Lightning II jets were operated from an amphibious assault carrier – the America-class USS Tripoli – for the first time, according to a release by the Marine Corps.

The display showed that the US military could operate amphibious assault carriers with fifth-generation aircraft, turning the ships into smaller aircraft carriers.

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Chinese navy practises aerial combat as it prepares its newest aircraft carrier for operations

Chinese navy practises aerial combat as it prepares its newest aircraft carrier for operations

The approach was incrementally developed on an earlier strategy, which used amphibious assault ships to support AV-8B Harriers, a single-engine ground-attack aircraft capable of vertical or short take-off and landing.

Also capable of vertical take-off and landing, the F-35B is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft intended to both assert air superiority and perform strike missions.

Combining multi-role air-superiority fighter jets with an assault ship would give the US more options when employing sea-based air power, said James Bosbotinis, a specialist in defence and international affairs.

Bosbotinis said the Lightning carrier concept sought to use the enhanced aviation facilities of the new America-class amphibious assault ships to support an air group of F-35Bs, in contrast to the usual mix of helicopters, assault support aircraft and fighter jets.