Hi TBM-L. Mate; no credible military commander in his right mind would 'assault' anything anymore, which is why many nations are moving toward smallish amphibious support vessels.
Heliborne combat assault is a discredited concept of operations and amphibious ops are generally ship to shore streaming of resources and provision of floating logistic bases. Largish embarked helo air components are not really necessary.
The resource penalties involved in operating aircraft carrier style LPH or LPD are prohibitive within realistic defence expenditure, as Australia will once again learn when the LPDs are introduced.
Last edited by Bushranger 71; 6th Apr 2011 at 23:00.