DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000
NAVY PENTAGON
W
ASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 3120.35L
N96
30 Mar 2018
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 3120.35L
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR CAPABLE AND AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT
SHIPS TO OPERATE AIRCRAFT
Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 3120.28C
(b) NAVAIRINST 3120.1C
Encl: (1) Aviation Operational Requirements for Air Capable Ships
(2) Aviation Operational Requirements for LHA and LHD Ships
(3) Definitions
1. Purpose. To define the level, class, and type of aviation facilities requirements for air
capable and amphibious assault ships to operate specified aircraft.
a. This revision updates date all currently operational aviation type vessels and transports to
currency, as indicated in subparagraphs 1a(1) and 1a(2).
(1) Added operational aviation type vessels and transports: Expeditionary mobile base;
container and roll-on/roll-off ship (T-AK) 3015 and T-AK 3017 class military prepositioning
ships and expeditionary fast transport (formerly joint high-speed vessel) class ships; H-53K
helicopter; attack aircraft (AV)-8B Harrier; short take-off/vertical landing stealth multirole
fighter aircraft, a variant of the F-35 II Lightning Joint Strike Fighter (F-35B); and the Blackjack
unmanned air vehicle (RQ-21).
(2) No longer operational and deleted from this instruction: helicopter (H)-53D, TH-57,
and H-46 helicopters; fast frigate guided missile sea fighter; high speed vessel (HSV)-2
helicopter landing trainer (HLT IX-514); joint high-speed vessel, amphibious transport dock
(LPD-4); Military Sealift Command ammunition (T-AE 26); and Military Sealift Command dry
cargo (T-AKE 3005) class ships.
b. This instruction is a complete revision and should be reviewed in its entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 3120.35K.
3. Scope and Applicability. This instruction applies to all ships whose mission includes the
conduct of flight operations and defines the level, class, and type of aviation facilities for air
capable and amphibious assault ships to operate specified aircraft.
