View source for Helicopter carrier

{{short description|Type of aircraft carrier}}
{{redirect|Helicopter destroyer|more detail on destroyer-sized hybrid warships|Aircraft cruiser}}
[[File:HMAS Canberra in July 2019.jpg|thumb|300x300px|{{HMAS|Canberra|L02|6}}. Most modern helicopter carriers are [[Amphibious assault ship|amphibious assault ships]].]]
A '''helicopter carrier''' is a type of [[aircraft carrier]] whose primary purpose is to operate [[helicopter]]s. It has a large [[flight deck]] that occupies a substantial part of the deck, which can extend the full length of the ship like {{HMS|Ocean|L12|6}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ocean/ |title=HMS Ocean (LPH01) Helicopter Carrier |publisher=Naval Technology |date=2011-06-15 |access-date=2014-04-20}}</ref> of the [[Royal Navy]] (RN), or extend only partway, usually aft, as in the [[Soviet Navy]]'s {{sclass|Moskva|helicopter carrier|4}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview {{!}} Moskva Class {{!}} Collections {{!}} Research {{!}} National Cold War Exhibition |url=https://www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org/research/collections/moskva-class/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org}}</ref> or in the [[People's Liberation Army Navy|Chinese Navy]]'s [[Type 0891A training ship|Type 0891A]]. It often also has a [[hangar]] deck for the storage and maintenance of rotorwing aircraft.

Pure helicopter carriers are difficult to define in the 21st century. The advent of [[STOVL]] aircraft such as the [[Harrier jump jet]], and now the [[F-35]], have complicated the classification; the [[United States Navy]]'s {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|4}}, for instance, carries six to eight Harriers as well as over 20 helicopters.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=LHD Wasp Class Amphibious Assault Ships |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/wasp/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Naval Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> 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 carrier]]s". Other vessels, such as the ''Wasp'' class, are also capable of embarking troops such as [[Marines (military)|marines]] and landing them ashore; they are classified as [[landing helicopter dock]]s.<ref name=":1" />

Helicopter carriers have been used as [[anti-submarine warfare carrier]]s and [[amphibious assault ship]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-12 |title=Depth from Above: Reinventing Carrier ASW {{!}} Center for International Maritime Security |url=https://cimsec.org/depth-from-above-reinventing-carrier-asw/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |language=en-US}}</ref>

{{HMS|Hermes|R12|6}} and two of her sisters were 22,000 ton fleet carriers converted to "commando carriers" only able to operate helicopters. ''Hermes'' was later converted to a STOVL carrier.

==Helicopter carriers by country==

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
! Country
! Navy
! In service
! In reserve
! Fitting out
! Under construction
|-
| {{ALG}} || {{naval|Algeria}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{AUS}} || {{naval|Australia}} || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{BRA}} || {{naval|Brazil}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{CHN}} || {{naval|PRC}} || 3 || 1 || 0 || 2 (4 planned)
|-
| {{EGY}} || {{navy|Egypt}} || 2|| 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{FRA}} || {{naval|France}} || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{IND}} || {{navy|India}} || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 (4 planned total)
|-
| {{ITA}} || {{naval|Italy}} || 2 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
| {{JPN}} || {{navy|Japan}} || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
|{{PRT}}
|{{Navy|Portugal}}
|0
|0
|0
|1
|-
|{{QAT}}
|{{Navy|Qatar}}
|0
|0
|1
|0
|-
| {{RUS}} || {{navy|Russia}} || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 (3 planned total)
|-
| {{KOR}} || {{navy|South Korea}} || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{ESP}} || {{navy|Spain}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{THA}} || {{navy|Thailand}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{TUR}} || {{naval|Turkey}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| {{USA}} || {{naval|United States}} || 9  || 3 || 0 || 2 (11 planned total)
|}

==Helicopter carriers==

===Helicopter carriers currently in service===
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;"
! Country
! Name
! Length
! [[Displacement (ship)|Tonnage]] ([[Tonne|MT]])
! Class
! Propulsion
! Type
! Classification
! Commission
|-
| {{Flag|Algeria}}
| {{ship|Algerian amphibious transport dock|Kalaat Béni Abbès|474|2}}
| <span style="display:none">143</span> {{Convert|143|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">008800</span> 8800 t
| Improved San Giusto<br /> (modified {{sclass|San Giorgio|amphibious transport dock|4}})
| [[Marine propulsion|Conventional]]
| [[STOVL]]
| [[Amphibious transport dock]]{{efn|name=improvedsangiusto|Qualifies as a helicopter carrier due to its flight deck and its hangar’s ability to store and service helicopters}}
| {{Dts|4 September 2014}}
|-
| {{flag|Australia}}
| {{HMAS|Canberra|L02|2}}
| <span style="display:none">230.82</span> {{convert|230.82|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">027500</span> {{cvt|27500|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Canberra|landing helicopter dock|5}}<br> (modified {{sclass|Juan Carlos I|amphibious assault ship|5}})
| Conventional
| [[STOVL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|28 November 2014}}
|-
| {{flag|Australia}}
| {{HMAS|Adelaide|L01|2}}
| <span style="display:none">230.82</span> {{convert|230.82|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">027500</span> {{cvt|27500|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Canberra|landing helicopter dock|5}}<br> (modified {{sclass|Juan Carlos I|amphibious assault ship|5}})
| Conventional
| [[STOVL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|4 December 2015}}
|-
| {{flag|Brazil}}
| {{ship|Brazilian aircraft carrier|Atlântico||2}}
| <span style="display:none">203.4</span> {{convert|203.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">021500</span> {{cvt|21500|MT|LT}}
| {{HMS|Ocean|L12|2}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Multipurpose helicopter carrier 
| {{dts|29 June 2018}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/81405/brazil-commissions-helicopter-carrier |title=Brazil commissions helicopter carrier |work=www.janes.com |date=29 June 2018}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|China}}
|''[[Chinese landing helicopter dock Hainan|Hainan]]''
|{{convert|232|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|36000|MT|LT}}
|[[Type 075]] ([[NATO reporting name]] Yushen class)
|Conventional
|[[VTOL]]
|Landing helicopter dock
|23 April 2021<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vavasseur|first=Xavier|date=2021-04-24|title=China Commissions a Type 055 DDG, a Type 075 LHD and a Type 094 SSBN in a Single Day|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/04/china-commissions-a-type-055-ddg-a-type-075-lhd-and-a-type-094-ssbn-in-a-single-day/|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Naval News|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|China}}
|[[Type 075 landing helicopter dock|''Guangxi'']]
|{{convert|232|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|36000|MT|LT}}
|[[Type 075]] ([[NATO reporting name]] Yushen class)
|Conventional
|[[VTOL]]
|Landing helicopter dock
|26 December 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC8mvKDsxUg/|title = 12月26日正式服役！ 4萬噸"廣西艦"入列東部戰區，16個月創造奇蹟，預示關鍵時間點，針對台海詭譎，一錘定音！【一號哨所】|website = [[YouTube]]| date=26 December 2021 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=New pictures released of Chinese Type 075 LHD Guangxi|url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/november/11063-new-pictures-released-of-chinese-type-075-lhd-guangxi.html|access-date=2021-12-09|website=Navy Recognition|date=26 November 2021 |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/11/chinas-third-type-075-lhd-starts-sea-trials/|title = China's Third Type 075 LHD Starts Sea Trials|date = 28 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|China}}
|[[Type 075 landing helicopter dock|''Anhui'']]
|{{convert|232|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|{{cvt|36000|MT|LT}}
|[[Type 075]] ([[NATO reporting name]] Yushen class)
|Conventional
|[[VTOL]]
|Landing helicopter dock
|1 October 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vavasseur |first=Xavier |date=2022-10-01 |title=China's 3rd Type 075 LHD Anhui 安徽 Commissioned With PLAN |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/10/chinas-3rd-type-075-lhd-anhui-%E5%AE%89%E5%BE%BD-commissioned-with-plan/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-11 |title=Chinese navy's new warship takes part in 'combat-oriented training' |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3199351/chinese-navys-new-amphibious-assault-ship-takes-part-combat-oriented-training |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|China}}
| [[Type 0891A training ship|''Shichang'']]
| <span style="display:none">125</span> {{convert|125|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">09500</span> {{cvt|9500|MT|LT}}
| [[Type 0891A training ship|Type 0891A]]
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Training ship
| {{dts|January 1997}}
|-
| {{flag|Egypt}}
|{{ship|Egyptian ship|Gamal Abdel Nasser||2}}
| <span style="display:none">199</span> {{convert|199|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">021300</span> {{cvt|21300|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Mistral|amphibious assault ship|5}}
|Conventional
|[[VTOL]]
|Landing helicopter dock
|{{dts|2 June 2016}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://en.dcnsgroup.com/news/dcns-delivers-the-second-mistral-class-helicopter-carrier-to-the-egyptian-navy-the-lhd-anwar-el-sadat/|title=DCNS delivers the second Mistral-class helicopter carrier to the Egyptian Navy, the LHD Anwar El Sadat|date=16 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Egypt}}
| {{ship|Egyptian ship|Anwar El Sadat||2}}
| <span style="display:none">199</span> {{convert|199|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">021300</span> {{cvt|21300|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Mistral|amphibious assault ship|5}}
|Conventional
|[[VTOL]]
|Landing helicopter dock
|{{dts|16 September 2016}}
|-
| {{flag|France}}
| {{ship|French ship|Mistral|L9013|2}}
| <span style="display:none">199</span> {{convert|199|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">021300</span> {{cvt|21300|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Mistral|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|December 2005}}
|-
| {{flag|France}}
| {{ship|French ship|Tonnerre|L9014|2}}
| <span style="display:none">199</span> {{convert|199|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">021300</span> {{cvt|21300|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Mistral|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|December 2006}}
|-
| {{flag|France}}
| {{ship|French ship|Dixmude|L9015|2}}
| <span style="display:none">199</span> {{convert|199|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">021300</span> {{cvt|21300|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Mistral|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|December 2011}}
|-
| {{flag|Japan}}
| {{JS|Kaga||2}}
| <span style="display:none">248</span> {{convert|248|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">027000</span> {{cvt|27000|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Izumo|helicopter destroyer|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Helicopter destroyer
| {{dts|22 March 2017}}
|-
| {{flag|Japan}}
| {{JS|Izumo||2}}
| <span style="display:none">248</span> {{convert|248|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">027000</span> {{cvt|27000|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Izumo|helicopter destroyer|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Helicopter destroyer
| {{dts|25 March 2015}}
|-
| {{flag|Japan}}
| {{JS|Hyūga||2}}
| <span style="display:none">197</span> {{convert|197|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=mod.go.jp>{{cite web|title=Hyuga Class|url=https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/gallery/ships/dd/hyuga/181.html|website=JMSDF Gallery|publisher=JMSDF|language=ja|access-date=27 February 2015|archive-date=10 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310034933/http://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/formal/gallery/ships/dd/hyuga/181.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| <span style="display:none">013950</span> {{cvt|19000|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Hyūga|helicopter destroyer|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Helicopter destroyer
| {{dts|18 March 2009}}
|-
| {{flag|Japan}}
| {{JS|Ise||2}}
| <span style="display:none">197</span> {{convert|197|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=mod.go.jp/>
| <span style="display:none">013950</span> {{cvt|19000|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Hyūga|helicopter destroyer|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Helicopter destroyer
| {{dts|16 March 2011}}
|-
| {{flag|South Korea}}
| {{ROKS|Dokdo|LPH-6111|2}}
| <span style="display:none">199</span> {{convert|199|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">018800</span> {{cvt|18800|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Dokdo|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| [[Landing platform helicopter]]
| {{dts|3 July 2007}}
|-
| {{flag|South Korea}}
| {{ROKS|Marado|LPH-6112|2}}
| <span style="display:none">199</span> {{convert|199|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">018800</span> {{cvt|18800|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Dokdo|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing platform helicopter
| 28 June 2021
|-
| {{flag|Spain}}
| {{ship|Spanish ship|Juan Carlos I|L61|2}}
| <span style="display:none">230.82</span> {{convert|230.82|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">027079</span> {{cvt|27079|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Juan Carlos I|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[STOVL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|30 September 2010}}
|-
| {{flag|Thailand}}
| {{HTMS|Chakri Naruebet||2}}
| <span style="display:none">182.65</span> {{convert|182.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">11486</span> {{cvt|11486|MT|LT}}
| {{ship|Spanish aircraft carrier|Príncipe de Asturias||2}}
| Conventional
| [[STOVL]]
| Helicopter carrier ("[[Light aircraft carrier]]")
| {{dts|27 March 1997}}
|-
|{{Flag|Turkey}}
|{{ship|TCG|Anadolu||2}}
|{{cvt|232|m|ftin}}
|{{cvt|27079|MT|LT}}
|{{ship|TCG|Anadolu||2}}
|Conventional
|[[STOVL]]
|[[Landing helicopter dock]]
|10 April 2023
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|America|LHA-6|2}}
| <span style="display:none">257.3</span> {{convert|257.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none"> 045000 </span> {{cvt|45000|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|America|amphibious assault ship|5}}<ref name="globalsecurity.org">[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/carriers.htm World Wide Aircraft Carriers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| [[Landing helicopter assault]]
| {{dts|11 October 2014}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2014/10/10/inside-uss-america-lha-6/|title=America 'Sails Away' for Maiden Transit to San Diego Homeport.|publisher=[[United States Navy]]|date=10 October 2014}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|Tripoli|LHA-7|2}}
| <span style="display:none">257.3</span> {{convert|257.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none"> 045000 </span> {{cvt|45000|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|America|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter assault
| {{dts|15 July 2020}}
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|Wasp|LHD-1|2}}
| <span style="display:none">257</span> {{convert|257|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">040532</span> {{cvt|40532|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|5}}<ref name="globalsecurity.org"/>
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|29 July 1989}}
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|Essex|LHD-2|2}}
| <span style="display:none">257</span> {{convert|257|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">040650</span> {{cvt|40650|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|17 October 1992}}
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|Kearsarge|LHD-3|2}}
| <span style="display:none">257</span> {{convert|257|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">040500</span> {{cvt|40500|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|16 October 1993}}
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|Boxer|LHD-4|2}}
| <span style="display:none">257</span> {{convert|257|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">040722</span> {{cvt|40722|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|11 February 1995}}
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|Bataan|LHD-5|2}}
| <span style="display:none">257</span> {{convert|257|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">040358</span> {{cvt|40358|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|20 September 1997}}
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|Iwo Jima|LHD-7|2}}
| <span style="display:none">257</span> {{convert|257|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">040530</span> {{cvt|40530|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|30 June 2001}}
|-
| {{flag|US}}
| {{USS|Makin Island|LHD-8|2}}
| <span style="display:none">258</span> {{convert|258|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| <span style="display:none">041649</span> {{cvt|41649|MT|LT}}
| {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|5}}
| Conventional
| [[VTOL]]
| Landing helicopter dock
| {{dts|24 October 2009}}
|}

===Retired helicopter carriers===
<!----SHIPS HERE ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY NAME---->
* {{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} {{HMS|Albion|R07|2}} ([[Royal Navy]]) – converted from light carrier and operating in helicopter carrier role from 1962 to 1973
* {{Flagicon|Italy}} {{ship|Italian cruiser|Andrea Doria||2}} ([[Italian Navy]]) – an {{sclass|Andrea Doria|cruiser|0}} [[helicopter cruiser]] active from 1964 to 1992
* {{flagicon|US}} {{USS|Bonhomme Richard|LHD-6|2}} ([[United States Navy]]) – {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|0}} [[landing helicopter dock]], active 1998–2020
* {{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} {{HMS|Bulwark|R08|2}} (Royal Navy) – converted from light carrier and operating in helicopter carrier role from 1960 to 1981
* {{flagicon|Italy}} {{ship|Italian cruiser|Caio Duilio||2}} (Italian Navy) - an ''Andrea Doria''-class helicopter cruiser active from 1964 to 1989
* {{Flagicon|United States}} {{USCGC|Cobb|WPG-181|2}} ([[US Coast Guard]]), decommissioned in 1946 – world's first helicopter carrier.
* {{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|2}} (Royal Navy) – an {{sclass|Invincible|aircraft carrier|0}} light aircraft carrier, which operated as a helicopter carrier when HMS ''Ocean'' was being refitted.<ref name="Ocean refit Illustrious temporary replacement">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-13814437 |title=BBC News – Warship HMS Illustrious starts sea trials |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2011-06-17 |access-date=2014-04-20}}</ref>
* {{Flagicon|United States}} {{USS|Iwo Jima|LPH-2|2}} (United States Navy) – lead of the seven-ship {{sclass|Iwo Jima|amphibious assault ship|4}}, active from the early 1960s to the early 2000s
* {{Flagicon|France}} {{ship|French cruiser|Jeanne d'Arc|R97|2}} ([[French Navy]]), decommissioned in 2010
* {{Flagicon|USSR}} {{ship|Soviet helicopter carrier|Leningrad||2}} ([[Soviet Navy]]) – second of the two-ship {{sclass|Moskva|helicopter carrier|4}} - active 1969–1991
* {{Flagicon|USSR}} {{ship|Soviet helicopter carrier|Moskva||2}} (Soviet Navy) – lead of the two-ship ''Moskva'' class, active 1967–1991
* {{Flagicon|United Kingdom}} ex-{{HMS|Ocean|L12|2}} (Royal Navy) – helicopter carrier 1998–2018, decommissioned March 2018.
**[[HMS_Ocean (L12)#Sale to Brazil|Sold to Brazil]] in February 2018, renamed ''Atlântico''
* {{Flagicon|Italy}} {{ship|Italian cruiser|Vittorio Veneto||2}} (Italian Navy) – a helicopter cruiser active from 1969 to 2003
<!----SHIPS HERE ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY NAME---->

==See also==
* [[Amphibious transport dock]]
* [[Amphibious warfare ship]]
* [[Aviation-capable naval vessel]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers by configuration#Navies with STOVL carriers|List of STOVL carriers]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Helicopter carriers}}

{{Warship types of the 19th & 20th centuries}}

[[Category:Aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers by type]]
[[Category:Helicopter carriers| ]]