LHD

A landing helicopter dock (LHD) is a multipurpose amphibious assault ship that is capable of operating both as a helicopter carrier and as a dock landing ship. LHD vessels are built with a full-length flight deck similar in appearance to a light aircraft carrier to operate VTOL rotorcrafts such as utility/attack helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft and VSTOL fixed-wing aircraft, as well as a well dock for launching landing crafts and amphibious vehicles. Some recent designs, such as the Chinese Type 076 class, even support CATOBAR operations for light aircraft and UCAVs via aircraft catapults and arresting gears.