[dragoon500ly]

Sea Control Ship (SCS) In the late 1960s, studies by US Navy identified a potential requirement for large scale convoy operations in the event of a war with the Soviet Union. In order to compensate for a shortage of escort ships, it was suggested that helicopters operating from small helicopter carriers could fill the gap. When Elmo Zumwalt became Chief of Naval Operations in 1970, he seized on the idea of small helicopter carriers as part of his "High-Low" plan in which large numbers of cheaper lower capability ships would be built to supplement existing expensive high capability ships. The proposed small carrier, which was named the Sea Control Ship (SCS), was required to provide continuous airborne cover of two anti-submarine and one airborne early warning helicopters, as well as carrying VSTOL fighters to stop Soviet long-range aircraft (like the Tupolev Tu-95 "Bear") from shadowing convoys and directing submarines and surface ships against them. This resulted in a requirement to carry 14 helicopters and three VSTOL fighters such as the AV-8 Harrier. It was hoped that production SCSs could be built for $100 million each, an eighth of the price of a full sized aircraft carrier.
In 1971 USS GUAM (LPH-9), was used as a test vessel. Testing began on 18 January 1972. In 1974 she was deployed to the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel was equipped with AV-8A Harrier STOVL fighters and SH-3 Sea King ASW helicopters. The tests were completed in July 1974.
The lead ship was planned for the fiscal year 1975 shipbuilding program. However, Congress refused to authorize the ships because of their limited capability and strong opposition by the advocates of large carriers. The SCSs were smaller than most fleet aircraft carriers, and the concept was seized upon by nations wanting inexpensive aircraft carriers. Spain's PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS, and her smaller cousin ship, Thailand's HTMS CHAKI NARUEBET, were based on the final US Navy blueprints for a dedicated sea control ship, but with the addition of a ski-jump ramp and follow a similar mission profile.

Displacement: 9,770 tons light; 13,735 tons full load Length: 620ft (190m) Beam: 80ft (24m) Draft: 21.62ft (6.59m) Propulsion: (2) General Electric LM2500+gas turbines, single shaft, 45,000shp; (3) 2500Kw ship service generators. Speed: 26kts; 24kts sustained Crew: 76 officers, 624 enlisted Armament: Two Mk15 Phalanx CIWS Aircraft Carried: (3) AV-8A Harrier VTOL; (17) SH-3 Sea King ASW helicopters
Aviation Facilities: Flight Deck: 545 x 105ft (166.1 x 32m) Enclosed Hanger: 19ft (5.8m) high Aircraft Elevators: 60,000lb (27.2mt) lift capacity Centerline: 60x30ft (18.3x9.1m) Stern: 35x50ft (10.7x15.4m) JP-5 Fuel Capacity: 950 tons (861.8mt) Aviation Ordnance: 180 tons (163mt)