The
Wasp class is a
class of
Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD)
amphibious assault ships operated by the
United States Navy. Based on the
Tarawa class, with modifications to operate more advanced aircraft and
landing craft, the
Wasp class is capable of transporting almost the full strength of a
United States Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and landing them in hostile territory via landing craft or helicopters. All
Wasp-class ships were built by
Ingalls Shipbuilding, at
Pascagoula, Mississippi, with the lead ship, , commissioned on 29 July 1989. Eight
Wasp-class ships were built, and , all eight are active.