MILNET: U.S. Navy Warships

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier ushered in a new era for power projection during the cold war. With nuclear carriers travelling over a million miles without needing refueling, on board fuel tank space could be devoted to other tasks. Essentially larger carriers could be built and they were able to carry more aviation fuel for longer deployments. Combined with decreases in the sizes of various avionics and electronic components, more combat and support equipment could be crammed aboard the multi-story aircraft carrier.

With bigger decks on top, more aircraft could be carried, and more catapults could be added. The result is an awesome yet compact city of serviceman, support equipment and aircraft all together on one rather large capital ship.

With some 24 very potent air-superiority fighters and some 24 ground attack fighters, the carrier fields more than enough fire power to start and finish an expeditionary attack, or prevent an outbreak of violence from spreading into a major conflict. The carrier also fields a potent anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and anti-submarine capability as well.

For self defense, the carrier depends on an AIRCAP, or air combat patrol, consiting of several F-14 Tomcat air-superiority fighters guided by at least one E-2C Hawkeye E&EWC radome sentry. For close in protection, the carrier has two to four Phalanx radar-guided automatic CIWS gatling guns.

But the primary mid to long range defense relies upon the covering ships in a task force or surface action group which consists of cruisers, destroyers, and Frigates.

The carriers  after CVN-77 will be from a new program, the CVX.

The slightly down-sized design will feature a leaner tower structure for better at sea stealth capability as well as high tech replacements for the steam catapults using rail gun technlogy.  The electromagnetic accelerators will move a metal shuttle similar to the current catapults but without the huge infrastructure required.

Proportedly CVN-77, the last of the Nimitz Carriers, will receive some of the CVX above deck improvements including the stealthy profile and the new SPY-3 Multi-Function Radar system that replaces AEGIS.

The Amphibious Assault Ship were designed to act as primary landing craft for assault operations performed by the U.S. Marines. Similar to aircraft carriers, these ships serve as launch platforms for AV-8B Harrier II jumpjets, helicopters as well as up to three LCACs (Landing Craft-Air Cushion). Also conventional landing craft are embarked. All of which are used to move Marine assault forces ashore.

As an integral part of the modern Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), the LHD serves as a staging platform which is a dedicated aircraft carrier designed to support an amphibious assault like no other in the world's military.

The LHD can also perform limited anti-submarine warfare via SH-60 helicopters, serving as a landing platform for refueling, and apply limited sea control via the Harriers.

There are two other types of Amphibious Assault Ships, the slightly smaller Tarawa LHA-1 class and the even smaller Iwo Jima LPH-9 class.

These versatile ships perform the mission of amphibious transports, amphibious cargo ships and the older LSDs by incorporating both a flight deck and a well deck that can be ballasted and deballasted to support landing craft. The Navy's newest class of ship, San Antonio (LPD 17), is scheduled to replace the older LPD 4 class and its increased vehicle and substantial cargo carrying capacity will make it a key element of 21st century Amphibious Ready Groups. The 12 ships of the class integrate the latest in shipbuilding and warfighting technologies to support current and future Marine Corps aircraft, the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAAVs) and air cushion or conventional landing craft. The Navy announced the contract award for LPD-17 on Dec. 17, 1996. 
Note:  LPD-16 Austin class vessel was cancelled and replaced with the newer LPD-17 San Antonio class construction.

The Dock Landing Ships were designed for delivery of landing craft, cargo, and personnel in amphibious assaults. The current Harper's Ferry Class (LSD-49 thru LSD 52) can deliver up to two LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) or a larger number of conventional landing craft, plus transport some 402 Marines, as well as an additional short distance transport of 102 more. There are also two other classes currently in operation; Whitney Island LSD-41 thru LSD-48, and Anchorage class, LSD-36 thru LSD40. The Whitney Island class can carry up to 4 LCAC while the the others can only carry two.

A typical ARG (Amphibious Ready Group) of Marines embarks an LHA or LHD-Amphibius Assault Ship, an LSD-Dock Landing Ship, and an LPH-Amphibious Transport Dock.

The Guided Missile Cruiser has been a potent weapon in the defense of a carrier led task force. The nuclear powered cruiser was intended to provide long range and high speed operation in order to cruise at the high speed and distances of the nuclear carrier led task force.

To this end, the nuclear powered cruiser was intended to be able to separate itself from protecting assets if the carrier chose to flee the battle area, and thus provide for defense of a fast moving target.

However, as the need for replenishment such as food, water, and ammunition is still necessary, it also became apparent that long distance and speed were only a short term advantage.

As the nuclear powered cruisers have aged, they have been replaced with more capable conventional powered cruisers such as the Ticonderoga class AEGIS equipped guided missile cruisers.

The Guided Missile Cruiser has been a potent weapon in the defense of a carrier led task force. However, it was determined rather quickly that the cruiser, as a valuable surface action vessel, needed better defense for itself as well as capabilities to defend the other capital ships of the task force.

Enter the AEGIS equipped, Ticonderoga class cruiser. This awesome system allows the guided missile cruiser to provide detection, fire control and command and control over other missile equipped vessels in the task force.

When combined with the long range support provided by Hawkeye E&EWC aircraft and their fighting arms the F-14 Tomcat fighters, both the long range detection and attack radius is supplmented with a short to medium range second tier of defense for the task force.

The AEGIS system allows the ample fire power of the Ticonderoga class to apply itself to defense of the surface ships close in, and when combined with outer perimeter AEGIS systems of the new Arleigh Burke AEGIS equipped Destroyer, intersecting zones of detection and defense fire can be maintained, providing a curtain of protection for the capital ships at the center of the force.

With the additional capabilities of underwater detection, the cruiser also provides a inner circle of protection against underwater targets. When combined with submarine hunter-killer helicopters from her own decks as well as those from the destroyers who also aid in an outer circle of defense, the cruiser is an integral part of the underwater defense curtain as well.

In litoral environments, the cruiser, with its Tomahawk cruise missiles, can attack land targets at virtually any range. As demonstrated during the Gulf War in 1991, the guided missile cruiser is part of an awesome attacking force as well, saving lifes of aircrews as it pounds the inshore targets with nearly unstoppable cruise missile attacks.

For surface attacks the Guided Missile Destroyer can also deploy Harpoon sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. Cruisers also have surface action guns (five inch cannon) to attack surface targets at closer targets.

With the retiring of heavy battleships, the U.S. Navy has clearly indicated heavy cannon fire at sea is no longer a valid method of warfare, and Tomahawk land attack missiles have replaced the bigger guns for land attack as well.

Many of the newer CGs (fifth and later ships in the Ticonderoga class) have Vertical Launch System (VLS) canisters built into the foredeck, allowing for rapid ready-aim-fire capability for Harpoon or Tomahawk missiles.

It should be noted that the U.S.S. Lake Erie, CG-70, has been outfitted for testing of the surface-to-orbit anti-ballistic missile interceptor.  The interceptor sits atop the SM-3 (Standard mod 3) missile, and is fired from a Vertical Launch System cell on the after deck.  In February of 2008, this system (AEGIS LEAP, LEAP for Light Exoatmosphric Attack Projectile) was used to destroy a KH-11 satellite in orbit before it and its full hydrazine tank could deorbit, thereby preventing a potential hazard to folks on the ground.  The Lake Erie fired its missile from the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii and in under 10 minutes struck and destroyed its target.  This verifies that the Ballistic Missile Defense capability is also supplemented by a clear and demonstratable anti-satellite capability.

The Guided Missile Destroyer's Mission is to work in concert with other ships in the surface action group or carrier task force to defend against both air and surface targets. Previous to the addition of the Arleigh Burke class, the DDG was primarily a weapon directed by interlink to an AEGIS equipped cruiser, offering its missiles as a point defense if deployed inside the body of the task force, or as a barrier defense if deployed near the edge of the group.

With the addition of the Arleigh Burke class, the DDG can now be an integral part of the Air Defense Group, providing both detection, direction, and fire control to less equipped vessels in the group. Moreover, the AEGIS equipped Arleigh Burke class destroyer with its vertical launch system is itself a potent attacker and defender regardless of its positioning in the surface group.

The U.S. Navy, with use of cruisers and destroyers with the AEGIS system, can place these ships inside and outside the task force, supplanting the defense with intersecting detection and attack zones. With this increased detection and detection ability, as well as increased fire power against airborne targets, the Arleigh Burke class destroyers double the effectiveness of defense against both aircraft, long range surface to surface missiles, and cruise missiles from all attack modes. In litoral engagements the Arleigh Burke class destroyer can also perform land attack using Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Arleigh Burke class deploys both forward and aft Vertical Launch System cells, increasing the load of available missiles that can be brought to bear against both airborne and surface attackers.

All U.S. Guided Missile Destroyer also deploy Harpoon anti-ship missiles for medium to long range attacks on surface targets, and can take advantage of helicopter data links to attack over the horizon targets.

For self protection, most of the DDGs also deploy two Phalanx CIWS gatling guns for last ditch defense against airborne targets, and one five inch gun for use against close-in surface targets.

Flight IIA of the Arleigh Burke Class (DDG-79 onward) embark the Lamps III version of the MH-60R helicopter.

According to recent U.S. Navy public information, DDG-91 through DDG-96 have added the Navy's Remote Mine Hunting System.  This may be a UUV based system.

A December 2007 report ¹ says that the U.S.S. Bainbridge, DDG-96, an AEGIS destroyer, is the first to deploy the RMS -- Remote Mining System, a UUV that operates autonomously to detect and attack mines.  The Bainbridge was first deployed with the system into the Mediterranean Sea.

NOTE:  On July 24, 2008, federal legislators from Maine announced that they had been notified by the U.S. Navy that the DDX-1000s had been cancelled.

The DD is scheduled to be replaced with the DD(X) (DD-21), a new generation multi-role surface combatant destroyer.

The program is scheduled to deliver 24 ships between 2008 and 2016.

Note:  The DD is currently extinct, the last ships being either transferred to foreign countries (Taiwan, Turkey for example), sunk as targets (last few in 2006 as part of sinkex), or awaiting to be made into maritime museums.  It is not clar if the DD-X being developed will actually carry DD- or DDX- designation, however, so far, the first ship has been tentatively given the DD-21 designation.

The DD designation for a destroyer tasks these very capable ships with surface to surface attacks as well as defense against and attacking of underwater targets. The Destroyer in the underwater context is a powerful adversary for the submarine. Using sophisticated underwater detection gear, the Destroyer is deployed near the edge of the surface task force to act as a curtain of detection for approaching underwater attackers.

The early definition for these destroyers was based upon an emphasis on submarine warfare and we dwelve into that capability below. However, as the mission profile for American ships has changed dramatically over the last two decades, it has been clear that the Destroyer must be a dual capable system, able to fight both below AND above the water. Today's destroyer must be capable and deadly in either environment.

The upgrade of older ASW specific destroyers to anti-airborne and land attack modes makes each an awesome and deadly warship even when standing alone in combat. Upgrades include surface and air detection gear, as well as vertical launch system cells for Tomahawk as well as vertical launched ASROC (VLA). Earlier upgrades included the addition of the RIM-7H NATO Sea Sparrow SAM on the aft ASROC launcher.

For underwater detection, the destroyer relies upon two major shipborne systems, the built in sonar appartus, and a towed array of listening devices that can pinpoint the subtle underwater sounds made by even the quietest submarines.

With the aid of helicopter borne and/or P-3 Orion persecution of underwater contacts, the Destroyer can become a deadly platform for attack on known underwater targets. These airborne detection platforms help to guide the destroyer closer to its intended target, and if the airborne attacker cannot manage to successfully attack the submarine, the destroyer will.

In modern warfare, only a nuclear exchange can defeat a well executed destroyer attack. With that in mind, the destroyer is a paramount weapon in the defense of the outer ring surrounding the surface task force. It must keep the underwater attacker out of range of the capital ships in the task force and is itself expendable in that regard.

In attacks against surface targets, the destroyer deploys its Harpoon missiles and launches MK46 homing torpedos from trainable tubes on deck. The destroyer can be directed in surface attacks at targets well over the horizon via helicopter data links.

For land attack, the updated destroyers field Tomahawk Tactical Land Attack Missiles (TLAM-D) which are typically launched in rapid fire more if necessary from and array of 61  vertical launch system cells located in the fore portion (Spruance class) of the ships deck (VLS was a late modification to the class and those remaining all have the VLS cells)

For self protection, the destroyer also mounts Phalanx CIWS automatic gatling guns and a 5 inch, 54 caliber gun as well as chain gun and smaller machine guns ensure adequate firepower for close in surface action. The 5 inch gun is also capable of delivering potent munitions inland up to 10 miles.

Original Post WWII Conversions

The Guided Missile Frigate acts as a key element in the outer segment of the defense shield around a surface action group, specifically in the typical U.S. Navy deployment of a Carrier Task Force. The capital ships rely upon the smaller, faster Frigates and the Frigate's larger cousin the Destroyer, to police the outer edges of the defensive cordon around the center of the force.

The Frigates in service today all are of the Oliver Hazard Perry (FFG-7) class, which itself was launched in December of 1977. However all the ships of the class have been in constant change as they have been integrated from point defense to the more modern defensive modes, as well as new technology sensors and weapons have been fitted. The Oliver Hazard Perry class have undergone their debuts in combat, having withstood striking a mine (U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts FFG-58)) and being struck by two Harpoon anti-ship missiles (U.S.S. Stark FFG-31). Both ships were repaired and remain in service.

Armed with guided missiles and keen underwater detection gear, the Frigate ensures no intruders escape detection, and when an intruder IS detected, the Frigate carries out an attack either autonomously or in concert with the Task Force's command. In the case of an AEGIS protected Task Force, the Frigate is an key launch platform for defense against and attack of incoming airborne targets.

Armed with Harpoon for anti-ship attack, the Frigate also carries Standard Missiles (MR -- medium range) and Mk-45 torpedoes which are launched from deck trained triple launchers. A 76mm gun is used for close in work, as is a Phalanx CIWS 20mm 6 barrel gatling gun for last ditch protection against incoming missiles.

FFG-17, FFG-18, FFG-35 and FFG-44 were built for Austrailia, never having served in the U.S. Navy.

The nuclear powered attack submarine provides the stealthy capability for attack upon both underwater targets (other attack or ballistic missile submarines) and surface targets.

In early nuclear attack submarine tactics, the Sturgeon class submarines fought a cat and mouse game with Soviet attack and SLBM missile subs in cold war dramas. Rumors of near or actual underwater collisions abounded, and the loss of two submarines under suspicious circumstances have fueled such rumours. Today, none of the old Sturgeon class boats remain.

In modern usage, the attack submarine can also apply sufficient force to attack land targets in the litoral engagements. Using tube launched Harpoons the attack submarine can attack surface vessels, and using tube launched Tomahawk TLAM-D cruise missiles, the attack submarine can also attack land targets. Since submarines are the ultimate stealh weapon, they can fire these weapons in daylight then flee to deeper waters. This techique of daylight launch was proven quite effective during the Gulf War when 12 missiles were launched from submarines in the Red Sea and the Eastern Mediterannean.

In the traditional underwater attack, the attack submarine silently sneaks up on underwater or surface targets, acquires a target lock, and then launchs one or more torpedos. In modern submarine warfare, the quiet approach of the attack submarine is its strongest advantage. However, with semi-autonomous attack torpedos, the advantage is multiplied by the ability to launch a torpedo at a longer distance, thereby providing less opportunity for launch detection, as well as hit-and-run attacks without endangering the all-valuable launch platform.

With the leading edge capabilities of the Seawolf class attack submarine, the U.S. has become the premier attacking force underwater, with capabilities unmatched by deployed submarine forces anywhere in the world. At a par and probably better suited than the legendary Soviet Alfa class attack submarines, the Seawolf class also adds litoral attack capabilities with the ability to launch against land targets from the coastline and more shallow waters.  Two of these subs the U.S.S. Seawolf (SSN-21)  and the U.S.S. Connecticut (SS-22) are already operational.

A new series, the NSSN class attack submarines (U.S. Navy NSSN Page) are designed  with the mission to provide improved support under the Navy's "Forward from the sea..." philosophy for future warfighting capabilities. The first of these ships, the U.S.S. Virginia is already under construction.  The class is scheduled to float 30 submarines.  The Texas, the second of the class was commissioned in July of 2004, and the Virginia in October of 2004.  The Virginia has no periiscope, instead uses a high resolution digital camera and thus allows the command center to be located elsewhere than under the sub's sail. The subs are also designed to navigate much shallower water and get in closer to land in order to support "Litoral Warfare".  Also the class supports "swimmer vehicles" as well as unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) the details of which remain highly classified.
(Additional info from CDI)  (MILNET Mirror)

Historical Info:

The first nuclear submarine was the U.S.S. Nautilus, SSN-571 whose hull was laid in June of 1952.  The second nuclear sub is named the U.S.S. Seawolf, SSN-575.

U.S.S. Nautlius gets "underway on nuclear power" on Jan 17,  1955. 

The U.S.S. Skate is the first production fleet reactor powered nuclear submarine is commissioned in 1957.

The ships in the early line are:

• U.S.S. Nautilus (SSN-571)
• U.S.S. Seawolf (SSN-575)
• U.S.S. Skate (SSN-578)
• U.S.S. Swordfish (SSN-579)
• U.S.S. Sargo (SSN-583)
  
• U.S.S. Seadragon (SSN-584)
  
• U.S.S. Skipjack (SSN-585)
  
• U.S.S. Triton (SSRN-586) (First dual reactor) & (1st to circumnavigate globe)
• U.S.S. Halibut (SSN-587)
  
• U.S.S. Scamp (SSN-588) (first sub to be recycled)
  
• U.S.S. Scorpion (SSN-589) (lost at sea)
• U.S.S. Sculpin (SSN-590)
• U.S.S. Shark (SSN-591)
• U.S.S. Snook (SSN-592)
  
• U.S.S. Thresher (SSN-593) (1st of 14 subs in class)
• U.S.S. Permit (SSN-594) (class vessel)
  
• U.S.S. Plunger (SSN-595)
• U.S.S. Barb (SSN-596)
• U.S.S. Tulibee (SSN-597)
• U.S.S. George Washington (SSN-598, formerly SSBN)
• U.S.S. Patrick Henry (SSN-599, formerly SSBN)
• U.S.S. Robert E. Lee (SSN-601, formerly SSBN)
• U.S.S. Pollack (SSN-603)
• U.S.S. Haddo (SSN-604)
• U.S.S. Jack (SSN-605)
• U.S.S. Tinosa (SSN-606)
  
• U.S.S. Dace (SSN-607)
• U.S.S. Ethan Allen (SSN-608, formerly SSBN)
• U.S.S. Sam Houston (SSN-609, formerly SSBN)
• U.S.S. Thomas Edison (SSN-610, formerly SSBN)
• U.S.S. John Marshall (SSN-611, formerly SSBN)
  
• U.S.S. Guardfish (SSN-612)
  
• U.S.S. Flasher (SSN-613)
• U.S.S. Greenling (SSN-614)
  
• U.S.S. Gato (SSN-615) (Last of Thresher Class)
• U.S.S. Thomas Jefferson (SSN-618, formerly SSBN) (Ethan Allen Class)
  
• U.S.S. Haddock SSN-621 (Class is Permit  SSN-594)