LPX-II-Class Aircraft Carrier

The introduction of the LPX-II into service is a continuation of the development of a blue water navy by the Republic of Korea Navy, a process begun in 2001. Thus far the program has consisted of the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships, the Sejong the Great class (KDX-III), Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class, and Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers, the Incheon-class frigates and Type 214 submarines.

The development of the blue water navy reflects the geopolitical circumstances which the Republic of Korea faces. At present, its two closest neighbors (China and Japan) are in the process of developing full aircraft carrier capability for their respective navies. The Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) operates the Hyūga-class helicopter carriers and Izumo-class multi-purpose operation destroyers (de facto aircraft carrier) while the People's Liberation Army Navy currently operates the carriers Liaoning (Type 001) and Shandong (Type 002) and is pursuing the development of a Type 003 class of aircraft carrier.

Unlike the preceding Dokdo class, the LPX-II will not feature a well deck for amphibious assault craft. Instead, internal space will be dedicated to aircraft storage and maintenance. The flight deck will be of an axial design rather than using a ski-jump (used by other F-35B jet aircraft operators except for the United States Navy).[1]

The LPX-II will be one of the few aircraft carriers in the world to feature two islands. The UK defence corporation Babcock International has been providing support to the LPX-II program and is a possible explanation for the twin-island design as Babcock led the development of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier program for the Royal Navy.[1] The Italian amphibious assault ship Trieste also features a twin island arrangement.

The Republic of Korea government has stated that the sensor and weapons fit for the LPX-II will be developed domestically and the ship will feature a multi-function radar (MFR) for ballistic missile defence (BMD). The same system will be used about the next generation destroyer for the Republic of Korea Navy (KDDX).[1]

The LPX-II will be the first ship class in the Republic of Korea Navy dedicated to aircraft operations. The ship will make use of an axial flight desk similar to those used by the Tarawa, Wasp and America-class amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed in August 2020 that twenty F-35Bs would be procured for the LPX-II. In terms of rotary wing aviation, the ship will accommodate the future Marine Attack Helicopters of the ROK Marine Corps.[1]

• navalnews.com, South Korea officially starts LPX-II aircraft carrier program
• US Naval Institute, LPX-II
• Shepherd Media, South Korea reveals imagery of LPX-II carrier
• The Diplomat, Republic of Korea Navy
• Republic of Korea Navy Homepage
• Maritime Executive, South Korea is developing its first aircraft carrier
• Popular Mechanics, South Korea Is Packing Its First Aircraft Carrier with F-35s
• globalsecurity.org, LPX-II

• Republic of Korea Navy
• Dokdo-Class Amphibious Assault Ship
• Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer
• Izumo-class helicopter destroyer
• Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II