One thing is for sure, there is only 1 thing worse than having a US Navy aircraft carrier show up on your coast, and that is having a US Navy Wasp class amphibious attack ship show up instead.  Of course, we would also send an aircraft carrier, but sometimes aircraft carriers travel alone for mere psychological projection.  When one of these guys shows up…this vessel is designed for nothing else but to invade an conquer enemy territory from their coastline.  Carrying up to 2,000 marines along with attack crafts of various designs, this ship is one of the most advanced and purposeful vessels in the entire US Navy.  Likewise, it is also the enabler for visions of the future for amphibious assaults.  Recently, it was decided that a beyond the horizon approach to amphibious assualts was favorable, as the enemy really wouldn’t see it coming until it was already there.  This can all be accomplished with the smaller crafts that the Wasps are scheduled to accomodate, crafts such as the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, the LCAC (Landing Craft Air-Cushioned - a hovercraft), and especially the new V-22 Osprey.  These are all craft designed to transport troops to the shore faster and more decisively than previous ships such as helicopters and amphibious landing craft.  In fact, the picture above shows the Wasp launching an LCAC from it’s rear loading bay.  Also in the future, the Wasps are slated to be outfitted with airwings of the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which will dramatically improve assault and defense capabilities of the Wasp.  All in all, this new ship represents the hub of a wheel spoked by craft all designed to destroy enemies by the quickest possible design.