Helicopter Carrier

a warship with helicopters as its main armament. It is designed to provide security for the debarkation of naval landing troops (using transport helicopters and marine subunits) and to combat submarines (using antisubmarine helicopters). Helicopter carriers came into use abroad during the second half of the 1950’s in connection with the increased role of helicopters in naval landing operations and in combat with fast atomic submarines. At first, helicopter carriers were made by reequipping obsolete ships of other types, such as aircraft carriers and cruisers. Subsequently, specially designed helicopter carriers began to become organic to some fleets.

The most widely used helicopter carriers in foreign navies are landing helicopter carriers carrying on board between 24 and 30 heavy transport helicopters and up to one battalion of marines, landing helicopter dock ships carrying between four and six helicopters, and cruiser helicopter carriers carrying between eight and 14 helicopters. The helicopters are located on the helicopter carriers in hangars under the takeoff deck. Elevators lift the helicopters to the takeoff deck, where the heliport is located.