View source for United States Navy ships

{{Short description|None}}
{{for multi|a list of current ships|List of current ships of the United States Navy|other lists of ships|List of United States Navy ships}}
{{more footnotes|date=May 2008}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

The names of [[commissioned ship]]s of the [[United States Navy]] all start with '''USS''', for [[United States Ship]]. Non-commissioned, primarily civilian-crewed vessels of the U.S. Navy under the [[Military Sealift Command]] have names that begin with '''USNS''', standing for [[United States Naval Ship]]. A letter-based [[hull classification symbol]] is used to designate a vessel's type. The names of ships are selected by the [[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]]. The names are those of states, cities, towns, important persons, important locations, famous battles, fish, and ideals. Usually, different types of ships have names originated from different types of sources.

Modern [[aircraft carrier]]s and [[submarine]]s use [[nuclear reactor]]s for power. See [[United States naval reactors]] for information on classification schemes and the history of nuclear-powered vessels.

Modern cruisers, destroyers and frigates are called [[surface combatant]]s and act mainly as escorts for aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, auxiliaries and civilian craft, but the largest ones have gained a land attack role through the use of [[cruise missile]]s and a population defense role through [[missile defense]].

==Aircraft carriers==
[[File:USS Nimitz (Nov. 3, 2003).jpg|thumb|right|U.S. Navy [[supercarrier]] {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6}} on November 3, 2003. Approximately forty-six aircraft are visible on the flight deck.]]
'''[[Aircraft carrier]]s (CVN)''' have the ability to put most nations within striking distance of U.S. air power which makes them the cornerstone of US forward deployment and deterrence strategy.<ref name="Ycarriers">{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/ships/carriers/cv-why.asp |title=Why the Carriers? |website=United States Navy |access-date=7 March 2007}}</ref> Multiple carriers are deployed around the world to provide military presence, respond quickly to crises, and participate in joint exercises with allied forces;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=200&ct=4 |title=Fact file - Aircraft Carriers |website=United States Navy |access-date=7 March 2007}}</ref> this has led the Navy to refer to their ''Nimitz''-class carriers as "4.5 acres of sovereign and mobile American territory".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/carriers.htm |title=World Wide Aircraft Carriers |website=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=12 November 2006}}</ref> "In accordance with customary international law as reflected in [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]] and as discussed in ''The Commander's Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations''<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.jag.navy.mil/documents/NWP_1-14M_Commanders_Handbook.pdf |title=The Commander's Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations |date=July 2007 |publisher=Navy Warfare Library}}</ref> and The State Department Cable on the Status of Military Sealift Command Vessels, ships owned or operated by a State and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service are entitled to sovereign immunity. Whether in internal, territorial, or international waters, such ships are immune from arrest and search, and exempt from foreign taxation and any foreign regulation requiring flying the flag of that foreign state while in its ports or territorial sea."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2016/NAV16158.txt |title=U.S. Navy Sovereign Immunity Policy |date=July 2016 |website=United States Navy |access-date=3 January 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822125639/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2016/NAV16158.txt |archive-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref> Former President [[Bill Clinton]] summed up the importance of the aircraft carrier by stating that "when word of crisis breaks out in Washington, it's no accident the first question that comes to everyone's lips is: where is the nearest carrier?"<ref name="Ycarriers" /> The power and operational flexibility of a carrier lie in the aircraft of its [[carrier air wing]]. Made up of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, a carrier air wing is able to perform over 150 strike missions at once, hitting over 700 targets a day.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/cv-intro.htm |title=Carrier Design |website=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=8 April 2006}}</ref> Carrier air wings also protect friendly forces, conduct [[electronic warfare]], assist in special operations, and carry out [[search and rescue]] missions. The carriers themselves, in addition to enabling airborne operations, serve as command platforms for large battle groups or multinational task forces. U.S. Navy aircraft carriers can also host aircraft from other nations' navies; the [[French Navy]]'s [[Rafale]] has operated, during naval exercises, from U.S. Navy flight decks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=38585 |title=French Sailors Experience Flight Operations Aboard Roosevelt |date=22 July 2008 |website=United States Navy}}</ref>

*{{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|4}} (10 in active service)
*{{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|4}} (1 in active service, 1 under construction of 10 planned)<ref>{{Cite book |title=[[Combat Fleets of the World]] |date=2012 |location=Annapolis |publisher=Naval Institute Press |edition=16th}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Amphibious warfare ships==

===Amphibious assault ships===
[[File:US Navy 040701-N-2972R-068 The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) transits the Bab Al Mandeb after departing the Red Sea and into the Gulf of Aden.jpg|thumb|U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship {{USS|Kearsarge|LHD-3}}]]
'''[[Amphibious assault ship]]s''', sub-types known as '''landing, helicopter dock or LHD''' and '''landing, helicopter assault or LHA'''. (also referred to as a commando carrier or an amphibious assault carrier), are a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault. The design evolved from aircraft carriers converted for use as helicopter carriers, but includes support for amphibious landing craft, with most designs including a well deck. Coming full circle, some amphibious assault ships now have a secondary role as aircraft carriers, supporting [[V/STOL]] fixed-wing aircraft.

The role of the amphibious assault ship is fundamentally different from a standard aircraft carrier: its aviation facilities have the primary role of hosting helicopters to support forces ashore rather than to support strike aircraft. However, some are capable of serving in the [[Command of the sea|sea-control]] role, embarking aircraft like Harrier fighters for [[Combat air patrol|CAP]] and anti-submarine warfare helicopters or operating as a safe base for large numbers of [[STOVL]] fighters conducting air support for the [[Marine expeditionary unit]] once it has gone ashore. Most of these ships can also carry or support landing craft, such as [[air-cushioned landing craft]] ([[hovercraft]]) or [[Landing craft utility|LCU]]s.

* {{sclass|Wasp|amphibious assault ship|4}} (7 in active service)
* {{sclass|America|amphibious assault ship|4}} (2 in active service of 11 planned)
{{clear}}

===Amphibious command ships===
[[Image:USS Mount Whitney (LCC-JCC 20) in Souda Bay.jpg|thumb|USS ''Mount Whitney'']]
'''[[Amphibious command ship]]s (LCC)''' of the [[United States Navy]] are large, special purpose ships, originally designed to command large amphibious invasions. However, as amphibious invasions have become less likely, they are now used as general [[command ship]]s, and serve as floating headquarters for two, forward deployed, numbered Fleet commands. Currently, they are assigned to the [[United States Sixth Fleet|6th]] and [[United States Seventh Fleet|7th]] fleets as [[flagship]]s.

*{{sclass|Blue Ridge|command ship|4}} (2 in active service)
{{clear}}

===Amphibious transport docks===
[[File:Uss san antonio 1330453.jpg|thumb|U.S. Navy amphibious transport dock {{USS|San Antonio|LPD-17}}]]
'''[[Amphibious transport dock]]s''', also known as '''landing platform dock or LPD''', is an [[amphibious warfare ship]], a warship that embarks, transports, and lands elements of a [[landing force]] for [[expeditionary warfare]] missions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Northrop wins contract add-on for 10th LPD-class amphibious transport dock ship |url=http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2010/04/northrop_wins_contract_add-on_for_10th_lpd-class_amphibious_transport_dock_ship.html |newspaper=[[The Mississippi Press]] |date=30 April 2010}}</ref> Several navies currently operate this kind of ship. The ships are generally designed to transport troops into a war zone by sea, primarily using landing craft, although invariably they also have the capability to operate transport, utility and attack helicopters and multi-mission tilt-rotor aircraft.

* {{sclass|San Antonio|amphibious transport dock|4}} (12 in active service of 17 planned)
{{clear}}

===Dock landing ships===
[[File:USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).jpg|thumb|right|{{USS|Harpers Ferry|LSD-49|6}}, a [[United States Navy]] dock landing ship]]
'''[[Dock landing ship]]s''', also known as '''landing ship, dock''' or '''LSD''', are [[amphibious warfare ship]]s with [[well dock]]s to transport and launch [[landing craft]] and [[amphibious vehicle]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8dwDAAAAMBAJ&dq=1954+Popular+Mechanics+January&pg=PA97 |title=Mother of Minesweepers |journal=Popular Mechanics |date=February 1952 |pages=97-104, see drawings pp. 98-99}}</ref> Some ships with well decks, such as the Soviet [[Ivan Rogov class landing ship|Ivan Rogov class]], also have bow doors to enable them to deliver vehicles directly onto a beach (like a [[Landing Ship, Tank]]). Modern dock landing ships also operate helicopters.

A ship with a well deck (docking well) can transfer cargo to landing craft in rougher seas than a ship that has to use cranes or a stern ramp. The [[US Navy hull classification symbol]] for a ship with a well deck depends on its [[naval aviation|facilities for aircraft]] - a (modern) LSD has a [[helicopter deck]], a LPD also has a hangar, and a [[Landing Helicopter Dock|LHD]] or [[Landing Helicopter Assault|LHA]] has a full-length flight deck.

* {{sclass|Whidbey Island|dock landing ship|4}} (6 in active service)
* {{sclass|Harpers Ferry|dock landing ship|4}} (4 in active service)
{{clear}}

===Expeditionary mobile base===
[[File:USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB-3) at Naval Station Norfolk on 20 April 2016.JPG|thumb|right|{{USS|Lewis B. Puller|ESB-3|6}}, a [[United States Navy]] expeditionary mobile base]]
'''[[Expeditionary Transfer Dock|Expeditionary mobile bases]]''' are semi-submersible, flexible, modular platforms providing that perform large-scale logistics movements such as the transfer of vehicles and equipment from sea to shore. These ships significantly reduce the dependency on foreign ports and provide support in the absence of port availability.
* {{sclass|Lewis B. Puller|expeditionary sea base|4}} (4 in active service of 6 planned)

==Cruisers==
[[File:US Navy 030903-N-5024R-003 USS Port Royal (DDG 73) departed on deployment.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Port Royal|CG-73|6}}, a ''Ticonderoga''-class cruiser.]]
'''[[Cruiser]]s''' and '''[[Guided missile cruisers]]''' '''(CG)''' are a type of [[warship]]. The term has been in use for several hundred years, and has had different meanings throughout this period. During the [[Age of Sail]], the term ''cruising'' referred to certain kinds of missions &ndash; independent scouting, raiding or commerce protection &ndash; fulfilled by a [[frigate]] or [[Sloop-of-war|sloop]], which were the ''cruising warships'' of a fleet.

In the middle of the 19th century, ''cruiser'' came to be a classification for the ships intended for this kind of role, though cruisers came in a wide variety of sizes, from the small [[protected cruiser]] to [[armored cruiser]]s that were as large (although not as powerful) as a [[battleship]].

By the early 20th century, cruisers could be placed on a consistent scale of warship size, smaller than a battleship but larger than a [[destroyer]]. In 1922, the [[Washington Naval Treaty]] placed a formal limit on cruisers, which were defined as warships of up to 10,000 tons displacement carrying guns no larger than 8&nbsp;inches in calibre. These limits shaped cruisers until the end of World War II. The very large [[battlecruiser]]s of the World War I era were now classified, along with battleships, as [[capital ship]]s.

In the later 20th century, the obsolescence of the battleship left the cruiser as the largest and most powerful surface combatant (excluding [[aircraft carrier]]s). The role of the cruiser varied according to ship and navy, often including air defense, commerce raiding, and shore bombardment. The U.S. Navy in the Cold War period built guided-missile cruisers primarily designed to provide air defense, while the navy of the USSR built battlecruisers with heavy [[anti-ship missile]]s designed to sink NATO carrier task forces.

* {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|4}} (27 completed; 13 in active service, 14 retired)&nbsp;– the first ship class with the [[AEGIS combat system]]
{{clear}}

==Destroyers==
[[File:US Navy 030615-N-0905V-006 Aerial view of the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) part of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Force.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, {{USS|Lassen|DDG-82|6}}]]

'''[[Destroyer]]s DDG''' are fast maneuverable long-endurance [[warship]]s intended to escort larger vessels in a [[Naval fleet|fleet]], [[convoy]] or [[Carrier battle group|battle group]] and defend them against smaller powerful short-range attackers. They were originally developed in the late 19th century as a defense against [[torpedo boat]]s, and by the time of the [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1904, these "torpedo boat destroyers" (TBD) were "large, swift, and powerfully armed torpedo boats designed to destroy other torpedo boats."

Before [[World War II]], destroyers were light vessels with little endurance for unattended ocean operations; typically a number of destroyers and a single [[destroyer tender]] operated together. After the war, the advent of the guided missile allowed destroyers to take on the surface combatant roles previously filled by battleships and cruisers. This resulted in larger and more powerful [[guided missile destroyer]]s more capable of independent operation.

At the start of the 21st century, destroyers are the heaviest [[surface combatant]] ships in general use, with only two nations ([[United States Navy|United States]] and [[Russian Navy|Russia]]) currently operating the heavier class [[cruiser]]s, with no [[battleship]]s or true [[battlecruiser]]s remaining. Modern destroyers, also known as [[guided missile destroyer]]s, are equivalent in [[tonnage]] but vastly superior in firepower to cruisers of the World War II era, capable of carrying [[nuclear missile|nuclear tipped]] [[cruise missile]]s. Guided missile destroyers such as the [[Arleigh Burke-class destroyer|''Arleigh Burke'' class]] are actually larger and more heavily armed than most previous ships classified as guided missile cruisers, due to their massive size at {{convert|510|ft|m}} long, displacement (8200-9700 tons) and armament of over 90 missiles.

'''[[Guided-missile destroyer]]s''' are destroyers designed to launch [[guided missile]]s. Many are also equipped to carry out [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]], [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-air]], and [[Anti-surface warfare|anti-surface]] [[Modern Naval tactics|operations]]. The NATO standard designation for these vessels is '''DDG'''. Nations vary in their use of destroyer '''D''' designation their hull pennant numbering, either prefixing, or dropping it altogether. The [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] has adopted the classification '''DDG''' in the American [[Hull classification symbol|hull classification system]].

In addition to the guns that destroyers have, a guided-missile destroyer is usually equipped with two large missile magazines, usually in [[Vertical launching system|vertical-launch cells]]. Some guided-missile destroyers contain powerful radar systems, such as the United States’ [[Aegis Combat System]], and may be adopted for use in an [[Missile defense|anti-missile or ballistic-missile defense]] role. This is especially true of navies that no longer operate [[cruiser]]s, as other vessels must be adopted to fill in the gap.

* {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|4}} (71 in active service, 7 under construction of 87 planned)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4 |title=The US Navy -- Fact File: Destroyers - DDG |date=August 21, 2019 |website=The US Navy}}</ref>
* {{sclass|Zumwalt|destroyer|4}} (2 in active service, 1 under sea trials)
{{clear}}

==Frigates==
'''[[Frigate]]s FF or FFG''' (according to the modern classification of U.S. navy warships) are smaller ships than destroyers. They are designed primarily to protect other ships (such as merchant convoys), and perform some Anti-Submarine Warfare duties. They are cheaper but of more limited capability than destroyers. The last active class of frigates in the US Navy was the {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|4}}, decommissioned in September 2015, leaving the navy no active frigates.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/uncategorised/newsus-navy-decommissions-last-oliver-hazard-perry-class-frigate-uss-simpson-4683397/ |title=US Navy decommissions last Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Simpson |date=September 30, 2015 |website=Naval Technology}}</ref>

On 15 January 2015, U.S. Navy Secretary [[Ray Mabus]] announced that ships of the [[Littoral combat ship|Littoral Combat Ship]] (LCS) classes built in the future would be re-classified as "frigates". This would apply only to the future variations of these ships. Current ships will retain the LCS classification unless and until they are upgraded to the standards of the newer ships.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shalal |first=Andrea |title=U.S. Navy says renaming LCS ships as frigates |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/navy-ships-idUSL1N0UU1GU20150115 |website=Reuters |access-date=15 January 2015}}</ref>

On 30 April 2020, the US Navy awarded a contract to design and produce the next generation small surface combatant, the Guided Missile Frigate (FFG(X)). The contract for detail design and construction (DD&C) of up to 10 Guided Missile Frigates (consisting of one base ship and nine option ships) was awarded to Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corporation (MMC) of Marinette, Wisconsin. The FFG(X) will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. Specifically FFG(X) will include an Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) radar, Baseline Ten (BL10) AEGIS Combat System, a Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), communications systems, MK 57 Gun Weapon System (GWS) countermeasures and added capability in the EW/IO area with design flexibility for future growth.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-30|title=Fincantieri's FREMM Wins US Navy FFG(X) Frigate Competition|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/04/fincantieris-fremm-wins-us-navy-ffgx-frigate-competition/|access-date=2020-10-09|website=Naval News|language=en-US}}</ref>

* [[Constellation-class frigate|''Constellation'' class]] (4 on order, 20 planned)
{{clear}}

==Littoral combat ships==

[[File:USS-Freedom-130222-N-DR144-174-crop.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Freedom|LCS-1|}} ''Freedom''-class <br>littoral combat ship]]
[[File:USS Independence LCS-2 at pierce (cropped).jpg|thumb|{{USS|Independence|LCS-2|}} ''Independence''-class <br>littoral combat ship]]

'''[[Littoral combat ship]]s LCS''' are a [[ship class|class]] of relatively small surface vessels intended for operations in the [[littoral zone]] (close to shore) by the [[United States Navy]]. It was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and [[Asymmetric warfare|asymmetric threats]] in the littorals."

The {{sclass|Freedom|littoral combat ship|4}} and the {{sclass|Independence|littoral combat ship|4}} are the first two LCS variants. Both are slightly smaller than the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]'s [[Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate|guided missile frigates]] and have been likened to [[corvette]]s. They have the capabilities of a small [[Amphibious assault ship|assault transport]], including a [[flight deck]] and [[hangar]] for housing two [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk|SH-60 or MH-60 Seahawk]] helicopters, a stern ramp for operating small boats, and the cargo volume and payload to deliver a small [[Amphibious assault|assault]] force with [[armoured fighting vehicle|fighting vehicle]]s to a [[roll-on/roll-off]] port facility. Standard armaments include [[Mk 110 57 mm gun]]s and [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile]]s. They are also equipped with autonomous [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|air]], [[Unmanned surface vehicle|surface]], and [[Autonomous underwater vehicle|underwater]] vehicles. Possessing lower air defense and surface warfare capabilities than [[destroyer]]s, the LCS concept emphasizes speed, flexible mission modules and a shallow [[draft (hull)|draft]].

The first littoral combat ship, {{USS|Freedom|LCS-1|6}}, was commissioned on 8 November 2008 in [[Parks of Milwaukee|Veteran's Park]], [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]]. The second ship, and first of the [[trimaran]] design, {{USS|Independence|LCS-2|6}}, was commissioned on 16 January 2010, in [[Mobile, Alabama]]. In 2012, CNO [[Jonathan W. Greenert]] stated that LCSs would be deployed to Africa in place of destroyers and cruisers. In late 2014, the Navy proceeded with a procurement plan for enhanced versions of the LCS and upgraded older ships to meet the program's 52-ship requirement; the modified LCS will be redesignated as FF. In December 2015, [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Ashton Carter]] ordered the Navy to reduce the planned LCS/FF procurement from 52 to 40, and downselect to one variant by FY 2019.

It was announced in January 2015 that future and retrofitted versions of these two classes will be re-classified as frigates. The navy has currently built and/or planned out to 24 of a total of 52 ships.

* {{sclass|Freedom|littoral combat ship|4}} (8 in active service, 3 under construction, 5 retired)
* {{sclass|Independence|littoral combat ship|5}} (12 in active service, 5 under construction, 2 retired)
{{clear}}

==Mine countermeasures ships==
[[File:USS Avenger MCM-1.jpg|thumb|A U.S. Navy mine countermeasures ship, {{USS|Avenger|MCM-1|}}]]

'''[[Mine countermeasures vessel]]s''' or '''MCM''' are a type of [[naval ship]] designed for the location of and destruction of [[naval mine]]s which combines the role of a [[Minesweeper (ship)|minesweeper]] and [[minehunter]] in one hull. The term MCMV is also applied collectively to minehunters and minesweepers.

A "minesweeper" is a small [[naval]] [[warship]] designed to engage in [[minesweeping]]. Using various mechanisms intended to counter the threat posed by [[naval mine]]s, waterways are maintained clear for safe shipping.

A "minehunter" is a [[naval ship|naval vessel]] that actively detects and destroys individual [[naval mine]]s.

*{{sclass|Avenger|mine countermeasures ship|4}} (8 of 14 in active service, 5 decommissioned, 1 lost to accident)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents2/NAV2013/NAV13175.txt |title=FY14 Projected Ship Inactivation Schedule |website=United States Navy |access-date=15 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=141001-N-VO234-037 USS Defender (MCM 2) is prepared for decommissioning |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/compacflt/15414604022/ |date=October 1, 2014 |website=Flickr |author=US Pacific Fleet |access-date=2 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/01/stuck-minesweeper-to-be-cut-into-pieces/ |title=Stuck Minesweeper to Be Cut Into Pieces |first=Luis |last=Martinez |date=January 29, 2013 |website=ABC News}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Patrol ships==
[[File:USS Typhoon (PC-5).jpg|thumb|{{USS|Typhoon|PC-5}}]]

'''[[Patrol ship]]s PC''' are relatively small [[naval ship|naval vessel]]s generally designed for coastal defense duties. There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's [[navy]], [[coast guard]], [[police]] force or [[customs]] and may be intended for marine ([[Maritime geography|blue water]]) and/or [[estuary|estuarine]] or river ("[[brown water]]") environments. They are commonly found engaged in various border protection roles, including anti-[[smuggling]], anti-[[piracy]], [[fisheries]] patrols, and [[immigration law]] [[enforcement]]. They are also often called upon to participate in [[rescue]] operations. Vessels of this type include the original [[yacht]] (from Dutch/Low German ''jacht'' meaning hunting or hunt), a light, fast-sailing vessel used by the [[Royal Netherlands Navy|Dutch navy]] to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into shallow waters.

* {{sclass|Cyclone|patrol ship|4}} (14 built, none in active service, all transferred to the Philippine Navy or other navies)
{{clear}}

==Submarines==
[[File:USS Virginia (SSN-774) bravo sea trials.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Virginia|SSN-774|6}}, an attack submarine]]
'''[[Submarine]]s SSN, SSBN, SSGN''' are watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. There are currently two types; attack and ballistic. "Attack submarines" (SSN) have tactical missions, including controlling naval and shipping activity, serving as [[cruise missile|cruise missile-launching]] platforms, and intelligence-gathering. "Ballistic submarines" (SSBN) primarily have the single strategic mission of nuclear deterrence by being hidden launching-platforms for nuclear [[SLBM]]s. However, some of these boats have been converted to (SSGN) and launch standard cruise missiles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ohio/ |title=SSBN / SSGN Ohio Class Submarine |website=Naval Technology}}</ref>

* {{sclass|Los Angeles|submarine|4}} (attack submarines: 28 in active service, 34 retired of 62 built)
* {{sclass|Seawolf|submarine|4}} (attack submarines: 3 in active service of 3 planned)
* {{sclass|Virginia|submarine|4}} (attack submarines: 21 in active service of 48 planned)
* {{sclass|Ohio|submarine|4}} (ballistic missile submarines: 14 in active service of 24 planned)
**(''Ohio'' class converted to guided missile submarines: 4 in active service)
{{clear}}

==Future requirements==
In a 2012 study called the "Force Structure Assessment", the Navy determined a post-2020 battle-force requirement of 306 ships.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2014/07/07/document-navys-30-year-shipbuilding-plan-fiscal-year-2015 |title=Document: Navy's 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan for Fiscal Year 2015 |date=July 7, 2014 |website=USNI News}}</ref>
* 12 fleet ballistic missile submarines
* 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers
* 48 nuclear-powered attack submarines
* 0-4 nuclear-powered cruise missile submarines
* 88 large, multi-mission, surface combatants
* 52 small, multi-role, surface combatants
* 33 amphibious landing ships
* 29 combat logistics force ships
* 33 support vessels

==Historically significant vessels==
[[File:USS Constitution 1997.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Constitution}}]]

The U.S. Navy has operated a number of vessels important to both United States and world naval history:
* '''{{USS|Constitution}}''', nicknamed "Old Ironsides", is the only surviving vessel of the [[Original six frigates of the United States Navy|original six frigates]] authorized by Congress in the [[Naval Act of 1794]], which established the United States Navy. It served with distinction in the War of 1812, singlehandedly defeating a number of powerful enemy warships, and is currently docked in [[Charlestown, Massachusetts]], as the oldest commissioned warship ''afloat''.
* '''{{USS|Bonhomme Richard|1765}}''' was involved in the [[Battle of Flamborough Head]] on 23 September 1779, one of the most celebrated naval actions of the [[American War of Independence]]. This battle is famous in part for ''Bonhomme Richard''{{'}}s commander [[John Paul Jones]], when called upon to surrender his sinking ship by the captain of the more heavily armed British frigate {{HMS|Serapis|1779|6}} by replying, "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight!", before defeating and capturing the Serapis.
* '''{{USS|Philadelphia|1799}}''' was a 36-gun [[sailing frigate]] that ran aground and was captured intact in [[Tripoli Harbor]] by [[Barbary corsair]]s during the [[First Barbary War]]. On the night of 16 February 1804, four months after the ship was turned against American ships, Lieutenant [[Stephen Decatur]] led a small detachment of U.S. Marines aboard a captured Tripolitan [[ketch]] close enough to board her. Decatur's men stormed the ship, overpowered the Tripolitan sailors, and set fire to ''Philadelphia''. British Admiral [[Horatio Nelson]] is said to have called this "the most bold and daring act of the age."<ref>{{cite book |last=Tucker |first=Spencer |title=Stephen Decatur: A Life Most Bold and Daring |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ETOxH58_kUC&pg=PR11 |date=2005 |location=Annapolis |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=978-1-55750-999-4 |page=11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Leiner |first=Frederick C. |url=https://news.usni.org/2012/07/22/searching-nelsons-quote |title=Searching for Nelson's Quote |journal=[[USNI News]] |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |date=February 5, 2013}}</ref>
* '''{{USS|Susquehanna|1850}}''' was [[Commodore (United States)|Commodore]] [[Matthew Perry (naval officer)|Matthew Perry]]'s [[flagship]] when the threat of force by his fleet brought about the signing of the [[Convention of Kanagawa]] in 1854. This treaty played a leading role in the [[opening of Japan]] to the West and the creation of the [[Open Door Policy]].
* '''{{USS|Monitor}}''' and '''{{ship|CSS|Virginia}}''' are together known for participating in the first engagement between two steam-powered [[ironclad warship|ironclads]], known as the [[Battle of Hampton Roads]], on 9 March 1862. ''Monitor'' was the first ironclad built by the U.S. Navy and its design introduced the rotating gun turret to naval warfare.
* '''{{USS|Alligator|1862}}''' was the first submarine built by the U.S. Navy. The submarine sank in 1863 while being towed during a storm and never saw combat. Though not a U.S. Navy vessel, the Confederate {{ship||H. L. Hunley|submarine|2}} (from the same war and era) was the first successful combat submarine.
* '''{{USS|Kearsarge|1861}}''' and '''{{ship|CSS|Alabama}}''' fought a celebrated a [[single-ship action]] known as the [[Battle of Cherbourg (1864)]] during the [[American Civil War]] on 19 June 1864, off [[Cherbourg]], [[France]].
* '''{{USS|Maine|ACR-1}}''' In January 1898, ''Maine'' was sent from Key West, Florida, to Havana, Cuba, to protect U.S. interests during a time of local insurrection and civil disturbances. Three weeks later, on 15 February at 9:40&nbsp;p.m., an explosion on board the Maine occurred in the Havana Harbor. The explosion was a precipitating cause of the [[Spanish–American War]] that began in April 1898.
* '''{{USS|Olympia|C-6}}''' is a [[protected cruiser]] that became famous as the flagship of Commodore [[George Dewey]] at the victorious [[Battle of Manila Bay]] during the Spanish–American War in 1898, which lead directly to the United States annexing the [[Philippines]] from 1899 to 1946. ''Olympia'' has been preserved as a [[museum ship]] to the present day.
* '''{{USS|Holland|SS-1}}''' was the first submarine commissioned in the U.S. Navy.
* '''{{USS|Connecticut|BB-18}}''' was the [[lead ship]] of [[Connecticut-class battleship|her class]] of six [[battleship]]s. She served as flagship the [[Great White Fleet]], the popular nickname for the U.S. Navy battle fleet that completed a [[circumnavigation]] of the globe from 16 December 1907 to 22 February 1909. This dramatic show of force was presented by order of [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]] to demonstrate to the rest of the world America's military power and [[blue-water navy]] capability.
* '''{{USS|South Carolina|BB-26}}''' was the lead ship of [[South Carolina-class battleship|her class]], and, when commissioned in 1910, was the first American modern "[[dreadnought]]" battleship, a type of battleship armed with eight or more major [[Caliber (artillery)|caliber]] guns, pioneered by the British Royal Navy, which made all previous battleships obsolete.
* '''{{USS|Texas|BB-35}}''' is notable for being the first US battleship to become a permanent museum ship, the first battleship declared to be a US National Historic Landmark, the only remaining World War I–era dreadnought battleship, and the only remaining capital ship to have served in both World Wars.
* '''{{USS|Langley|CV-1}}''' was the United States Navy's first [[aircraft carrier]], converted in 1920 from the [[Collier (ship type)|collier]] USS ''Jupiter''. She was also the U.S. Navy's first electrically propelled ship.
* '''{{USS|Panay|PR-5}}''' was a [[river gunboat]] that was sunk by Japanese aircraft on 12 December 1937 while she was anchored in the [[Yangtze River]] outside [[Nanking]] (now known as Nanjing), [[Republic of China|China]]. Japan and the United States were not at war at the time. The Japanese claimed that they did not see the [[Flag of the United States|American flags]] painted on the deck of the gunboat, apologized, and paid an indemnity. Nevertheless, the attack, and the subsequent [[Allison incident]] in Nanking, caused U.S. opinion to turn against the Japanese.
* '''{{USS|Long Island|CVE-1}}''' was commissioned on 2 June 1941 as the first of 122 [[escort carrier]]s built by United States shipyards during [[World War II]]. Escort carriers were typically smaller, shorter, slower, cheaper, and more quickly built than fleet carriers, and also carried fewer planes. They however made huge contributions to winning the war through escorting convoys, providing [[air support]] to ground troops, transporting aircraft, and forming the core of hunter-killer groups which [[Anti-submarine warfare#World War II|sought out and sank enemy submarines]].
* '''{{USS|Reuben James|DD-245}}''' was a {{sclass|Clemson|destroyer|2}} was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in a case of mistaken identity, during the period of neutrality five weeks before the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] entered the United States into World War II. Many consider it the first United States Navy ship sunk by hostile action in the European theater of World War II. The ship's sinking provoked a furious outburst in the United States, especially when Germany refused to apologize, instead countering that the destroyer was operating in what Germany considered to be a war zone and had suffered the consequences
* '''{{USS|Arizona|BB-39}}''' was a {{sclass|Pennsylvania|battleship|2}}, best known for her cataclysmic and dramatic sinking, with the loss of 1,177 lives, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the event that brought about U.S. involvement in World War II. The [[USS Arizona Memorial|USS ''Arizona'' Memorial]] is constructed over the shattered hull, which still contains the remains of most of the crew. It is commonly—but incorrectly—believed that ''Arizona'' remains perpetually in commission, likely because naval vessels entering Pearl Harbor render honors to the remains of the vessel.
* '''{{USS|Utah|BB-31}}''', a {{sclass|Florida|battleship|2}} which primarily served during [[World War I]] and was notable for being sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was used to test various remote control equipment before being turned into a [[target ship]] for training Navy [[dive bomber]]s. Supposedly mistaken by the Japanese for an active ship, she was sunk and attempts to right and refloat her failed. Alongside USS ''Arizona'', she is the only other ship to remain in Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the attack. She is also the state ship of [[Utah]].
* '''{{USS|Enterprise|CV-6}}''', a {{sclass|Yorktown|aircraft carrier|2}}, was the most engaged and decorated U.S. warship in World War II, involved in five of the six major carrier-versus-carrier battles of the [[Pacific War|Pacific Theater]], as well as a host of minor engagements, and earning 20 of 22 possible battle stars. She was the only ship outside the British Royal Navy to earn the Admiralty Pennant, the highest award of the British, in the more than 400 years since its creation.
* '''{{USS|Hornet|CV-8}}''', a {{sclass|Yorktown|aircraft carrier|2}}, was best known for launching the [[Doolittle Raid]] on Tokyo on 18 April 1942, as well as participating in the pivotal victory at the [[Battle of Midway]].
* '''{{USS|Gato|SS-212}}''' was the [[lead ship]] of [[Gato-class submarine|her highly successful class]] of submarine, which, along with the closely related {{sclass|Balao|submarine|2}} and {{sclass|Tench|submarine|2}}, eventually totaled 213 ships. These modern submarines were responsible for most of the [[Submarines in the United States Navy#Offensive against Japanese merchant shipping and Japanese war ships|destruction 55% of Japan's merchant marine]] that came about from American submarine attack during World War II. The war against shipping was the single most decisive factor in the collapse of the Japanese economy during the war. The ''Gato'', ''Balao'', and ''Tench'' classes also remained the backbone of American underwater fleet well past the ending of the war.
* '''{{USS|Juneau|CL-52}}''' was an {{sclass|Atlanta|cruiser|0}} [[light cruiser]] torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine {{Ship|Japanese submarine|I-26||2}} at the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]] 13 November 1942. A total 687 men, including, infamously, all five of the [[Sullivan brothers]] from Waterloo, Iowa, were [[killed in action]] as a result of its sinking.
* '''{{USS|Washington|BB-56}}''' was the only US battleship to sink an enemy battleship in direct combat, when she sank the {{ship|Japanese battleship|Kirishima}} in the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]], 13 November 1942.
* '''{{USS|Essex|CV-9}}''' was an aircraft carrier and the lead ship of the twenty four-ship {{sclass|Essex|aircraft carrier|4}}. The ''Essex'' class was the 20th century's most numerous class of capital ships, was the backbone of the U.S. Navy's combat strength during World War II from mid-1943 on, and (along with the addition of the three {{sclass|Midway|aircraft carrier|0}} carriers just after the war) continued to be the heart of U.S. Naval strength until the 1960s and 1970s.
* '''{{USS|England|DE-635}}''' was a {{sclass|Buckley|destroyer escort}} that sank six Japanese submarines in twelve days during May 1944, a feat unparalleled in the history of antisubmarine warfare.
* '''{{USS|Archerfish|SS-311}}''' was a {{sclass|Balao|submarine|2}} best known for torpedoing and sinking the 72,000-ton Japanese aircraft carrier {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Shinano||2}}, the largest warship ever sunk by a submarine, in November 1944.
* '''{{USS|Batfish|SS-310}}''', a ''Balao''-class submarine that performed the amazing feat of sinking three Japanese submarines in a 76-hour period, in February 1945 during World War II.
* '''{{USS|Indianapolis|CA-35}}''', a {{sclass|Portland|cruiser}}, delivered components of [[Little Boy]], the first nuclear weapon used in combat, to the US Air Army Air Force base on [[Tinian|Tinian island]]. Upon completion of this secret mission, it was sunk on 30 July 1945 by the Imperial Japanese Navy, leading to the worst loss of life at sea in U.S. Navy history. Approximately 300 sailors of the listed crew of 1,196 died in the attack itself, but of the 880 who survived after, only 316 men lived to be rescued. The men survived four days after suffering from a lack of food, dehydration, exposure, and shark attacks (as referenced in the movie ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'').
* '''{{USS|Missouri|BB-63}}''', an {{sclass|Iowa|battleship|2}}, was the site of the surrender of the [[Empire of Japan]] which ended World War II. She was also the last battleship built by the United States. In 1955, she was decommissioned and assigned to the inactive reserve fleet (the "Mothball Fleet"), but reactivated and modernized in 1984 as part of the [[600-ship Navy]] plan, and fought in the 1991 [[Gulf War]]. Decommissioned in 1995, she was the last actively serving battleship in the world. She was donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association in 1998 and became a [[museum ship]] at Pearl Harbor, moored facing USS ''Arizona''.
* '''{{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571}}''', a submarine commissioned in 1954, was the world's first nuclear-powered ship. It demonstrated its capabilities by traveling {{convert|62562|mi|km|0}}, <!-- nautical or statute miles? --> more than half of which was submerged, in two years before having to refuel while breaking the record for longest submerged voyage, as well as being the first submarine to transit submerged under the [[North Pole]] in 1958.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/ssn-571.htm |title=SSN-571 Nautilus |website=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=20 July 2006}}</ref>
* '''{{USS|Skate|SSN-578}}''', a [[nuclear submarine|nuclear-powered submarine]] commissioned in 1957, was the first ship to physically reach the North Pole when she surfaced there in 1958.
* '''{{USS|Triton|SSRN-586}}''', a nuclear-powered submarine commissioned in 1959, made the first submerged circumnavigation of the world during its [[shakedown cruise]] in 1960, as well as being the only non-Soviet submarine to be powered by [[USS Triton (SSRN-586)#Design history|two nuclear reactors]].
* '''{{USS|Thresher|SSN-593}}''', the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarines and was lost by accident on 10 April 1963.
* '''{{USS|George Washington|SSBN-598}}''', commissioned in 1959, was the first ever [[ballistic missile submarine]].
* '''{{USS|Long Beach|CGN-9}}''' was the first nuclear-powered ''surface'' warship in the world when she was commissioned in 1961 and signalled a new era of United States naval weaponry by being the first large ship in the Navy to have guided missiles as its main battery.
* '''{{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65}}''' was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier when she was commissioned in 1961.
* '''{{USS|Maddox|DD-731}}''' was an {{sclass|Allen M. Sumner|destroyer|2}} that was involved in a skirmish with North Vietnamese torpedo boats on 2 August 1964, known as the [[Gulf of Tonkin incident]], which served as President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s legal justification for deploying U.S. conventional forces in Vietnam and for the commencement of open warfare against North Vietnam.
* '''{{USS|Liberty|AGTR-5}}''' was an intelligence gathering ship involved in an international incident when attacked by Israeli jet fighter planes and [[motor torpedo boat]]s on 8 June 1967, during the [[Six-Day War]] and while in international waters off the [[Sinai Peninsula]].
* '''{{USS|Pueblo|AGER-2}}''' was an intelligence gathering vessel involved in an international incident when boarded and seized by the [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]] (North Korea) on 23 January 1968. The ship is still under Korean control, and remains in commission to this day.
* '''{{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68}}''' is lead ship of [[Nimitz-class aircraft carrier|her class]] of ten [[Nuclear reactor technology|nuclear-powered]] [[supercarrier]]s. Since ''Nimitz'' was commissioned on 3 May 1975, these ships have been the centerpiece of American naval power. They are also largest warships ever built,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rmg.co.uk/explore/sea-and-ships/facts/faqs/royal-navy-and-battles/what-is-the-biggest-warship-ever-built |title=What is the biggest warship ever built? |website=Royal Museums Greenwich |access-date=16 January 2014}}</ref> although they are being eclipsed by the upcoming {{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|2}}s.
* '''{{USS|Phoenix|CL-46}}''' was a {{sclass|Brooklyn|cruiser|0}} [[light cruiser]], present during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and earning nine battle stars for World War II service. Transferred to the [[Argentine Navy]] in 1951, she was ultimately renamed {{ship|ARA|General Belgrano}} in 1956. She was torpedoed and sunk during the [[Falklands War]] on 2 May 1982 by the British nuclear-powered submarine {{HMS|Conqueror|S48|6}}, with the loss of 323 lives, or just over half of Argentine deaths in the war. The sinking of ''General Belgrano'' was [[ARA General Belgrano#Controversy over the sinking|controversial]] in both Britain and Argentina at the time, and for some, remains so to this day.
* '''{{USS|Stark|FFG-31}}''' was struck on 17 May 1987 by two [[Exocet]] antiship missiles fired from an Iraqi [[Mirage F1]] fighter during the [[Iran–Iraq War]] becoming the victim of the only successful anti-ship missile attack on a U.S. Navy warship.
* '''{{USS|Samuel B. Roberts|FFG-58}}''' is an {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate}} which struck an Iranian [[naval mine|mine]] on 14 April 1988, severely damaging, and nearly sinking her, resulting in ten injured sailors, but no fatalities. The ship suffered flooding, fires, and a broken [[keel]], which normally is fatal to the ship, but damage control efforts saved the ship. The attack resulted in the launching of [[Operation Praying Mantis]]. The ship was repaired and continued active service until it was decommissioned on 22 May 2015.<ref name="decom">{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseone.com/management/2015/05/uss-samuel-b-roberts-frigate/113614/?oref=search_peniston%20roberts |title=The Once—and Future?—USS Samuel B. Roberts |website=Defense One |date=May 23, 2015 |access-date=May 30, 2015 |last=Peniston |first=Bradley}}</ref>
* '''{{USS|Vincennes|CG-49}}''' is a {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|0}} AEGIS equipped guided missile cruiser. On 3 July 1988, the ship shot down [[Iran Air Flight 655]] over the Persian Gulf, killing all 290 civilian passengers on board, including 38 non-Iranians and 66 children.
* '''{{USS|Cole|DDG-67}}''' On 12 October 2000, while at anchor in [[Aden]], Yemen, ''Cole'' was attacked by [[Al-Qaeda]] suicide bombers, who sailed a small boat near the destroyer and detonated explosive charges. The blast created a hole in the port side of the ship about {{convert|40|ft|m}} in diameter, killing 17 crew members and injuring 39.
* '''{{USS|Greeneville|SSN-772}}''' is a {{sclass|Los Angeles|submarine|2}} that, on 9 February 2001, precipitated international controversy when she [[Ehime Maru and USS Greeneville collision|struck]] the Japanese [[fishery]] high school training ship ''Ehime Maru'' (えひめ丸) off the coast of [[Oahu]], causing the fishing boat to sink in less than ten minutes with the death of nine crew members.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/02/09/sub.accident.02/ |website=CNN |title=U.S. sub hits Japanese fishing vessel, 10 missing |date=February 9, 2001 |access-date=14 July 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705041832/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/02/09/sub.accident.02/ |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }}</ref> The ''Greeneville'' was conducting a practice emergency main ballast tank blow as a demonstration to civilian visitors.

==See also==
{{Div col}}
* [[List of United States Navy ships]]
* [[Equipment of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of current ships of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of currently active United States military watercraft]]
* [[List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships]]
* [[List of submarine classes in service]]
* [[List of naval ship classes in service]]
* [[List of auxiliary ship classes in service]]
* [[List of Military Sealift Command ships]]
* [[United States ship naming conventions]]
* [[Glossary of watercraft types in service of the United States]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{US Navy navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:United States Navy Ships}}
[[Category:Ships of the United States Navy| ]]

[[es:USS]]