Helicopter carrier is a term for an
aircraft carrier whose primary purpose is to operate
helicopters. The term is sometimes used for both
ASW carriers and
amphibious assault ships.
Helicopter carriers can either have a full-length aircraft deck like
HMS Ocean, or have a large helicopter deck, usually aft, as in the
Soviet Navy's
Moskva class or
RFA Argus. The latter is becoming less common, as such a design represents a compromise. A full-length deck maximises deck space for helicopter landing spots. Such a design also allows for a
hangar deck.
Pure helicopter carriers are difficult to define in the 21st century. The advent of
STOVL aircraft such as the
Harrier Jump Jet have complicated the classification; the United States Navy's
Wasp class, for instance, carries six to eight Harriers as well as 30 helicopters. Only smaller carriers unable to operate the Harrier and older pre-Harrier-era carriers can be regarded as true helicopter carriers. In many cases, other carriers, able to operate STOVL aircraft, are classified as "
light aircraft carriers." Other vessels, such as the
Wasp class, are also capable of embarking troops such as
Marines and landing them ashore; they are typically classified as
amphibious assault ships.
HMS Hermes and two of her sisters were 22,000 ton fleet carriers converted to operate helicopters only as "commando carriers".
Hermes was later converted to a STOVL carrier.
Helicopter carriers
Helicopter carriers currently in use
Retired helicopter carriers
thumb|right|250px|[[America class amphibious assault ship|America class amphibious assault ship of the
US Navy]]
Helicopter carriers under construction
See also
Category:Aircraft carriersCategory:Aircraft carriers by type*ar:حاملة مروحياتcs:Nosič vrtulníkůde:Hubschrauberträgerel:Ελικοπτεροφόροfr:Porte-hélicoptèresko:헬리콥터 모함it:Portaelicotterija:ヘリ空母pl:Śmigłowcowiecru:Вертолётоносецsimple:Helicopter carrieruk:Вертольотоносецьzh:直升機航空母艦
