VSTOL Support Ship

Artist's conception of the VSTOL Support Ship design

The VSTOL Support Ship (VSS) was a proposed light aircraft carrier design for the United States Navy in the late 1970s that would be smaller and less expensive than the Navy's existing aircraft carriers such as the Nimitz-class. The design would cost one-quarter as much, although the V/STOL aircraft it would carry would have reduced performance. The United States Senate and others supported the design, but it was ultimately rejected by the Navy.

This option was envisioned as a simpler and cheaper option to Sea Control Ship project, that would offer almost same capabilities.

During Cold War shipping companies and navies were studying a even cheaper option: the feasibility of converting commercial container ships in small VSTOL carriers if needed in event of war. The only time this was actually done was during Falklands war, SS Atlantic Conveyor and the SS Atlantic Causeway were requisitioned by the Ministry of Defense and used as improvised helicopter and Harrier carriers.

See also

• Sea Control Ship
• Aircraft Carrier (Medium)

References

• All Hands, July 1976, at [1]
• Comstock, Edward N.; Bales, Susan L.; Gentile, Dana M. (1982). "SEAKEEPING PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF AIR CAPABLE SHIPS". Naval Engineers Journal. 94 (2). American Society of Naval Engineers: 101–117. doi:10.1111/j.1559-3584.1982.tb02432.x. ISSN 0028-1425.
• Hart, Gary (Spring 1978). "The U.S. Senate and the Future of the Navy". International Security. 2 (4). The MIT Press: 175–184. doi:10.2307/2538464. JSTOR 2538464. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)