The US Navy’s surface combat fleet is operating 16 types of ships, including 11 super carriers, 60 destroyers, 22 cruisers and many other warships.
The Ford-class aircraft carrier is the newest battleship of the US Navy. The aircraft carrier adopts a range of advanced technologies for the first time in aircraft carriers, including electromagnetic catapults, dual-band radar and more. One vessel is under trial operation and two others are under construction.
With 10 ships in service, the Nimitz-class super-carrier has become a symbol of the US Navy’s global power. Each ship can carry 90 aircraft, allowing the power to be deployed anywhere in the world.
Zumwalt-class destroyers are likened to “future destroyers”. The ship has a completely new design according to the unique “body-piercing wave” technology. Zumwalt is built with a very high stealth ability, and a powerful weapon system. However, the cost of construction was so high that the production number was reduced from 32 to only 3, making it the most expensive destroyer on the planet.
The America-class amphibious assault ship operates as a medium aircraft carrier. The ship can carry AV-8B fighters, F-35B stealth fighters, MV-22 aircraft and helicopters. Eleven America-class ships are planned for construction, including one in service, one awaiting trial and one under construction.
Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, the mainstay of the US Marines’ amphibious assault power. This class of ships can carry AV-8B fighters, F-35B stealth fighters and helicopters. The ship also carries tanks, armored vehicles and air-buffered landing craft to deploy them ashore.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers , the core of the US Navy’s combat power with 60 active ships. Arleigh Burke is a class of multi-role warship that can perform multiple missions at the same time. They were an important part of the recent Syrian air strikes with Tomahawk missiles.
The Ticonderoga-class cruiser is a multi-purpose warship, a product of the Cold War era. With 22 ships in service, they are the second most important component after the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in power projection and carrier escort. The cruiser USS Monterey fired 30 Tomahawk missiles into Syria on the night of April 13.
The Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS) is a class of warship designed for coastal combat missions, dealing with small warships, high-speed missile boats, hunting submarines, and breaking mines in shallow water areas.
The Independent class coastal warship (LCS) has a similar concept to the Freedom class but is designed in a trimaran style. The LCS program was heavily criticized for its poor firepower and many technical errors.
San Antonio-class helicopter landing craft. It was built for the transport of troops, war vehicles and other equipment for amphibious operations. 11 ships are active in the US Navy and 2 more are under construction.
The Whidbey Island-class amphibious assault ship was built for the purpose of transporting troops and amphibious vehicles to shore. The ship can carry 4 air-cushioned landing craft to carry weapons ashore and 500 soldiers.
Harpers Ferry-class amphibious assault ship , a modified version of the Whidbey Island class intended for the transport of cargo, ammunition, spare parts and medical equipment. The ship can carry 2 air-cushioned landing craft to bring cargo to shore.
Cyclone-class patrol boats are built for coastal patrol and interception missions. This type of warship mainly operates in the Persian Gulf to deal with the Iranian Navy.
The Avenger-class minesweeper was built for the purpose of detecting, detecting and handling mines in the important sea lanes of the US Navy.
Blue Ridge-class command ships are built for the mission of providing command, combat control, communications, and intelligence. This is the longest used warship class of the US Navy.