Here's every class of ship in the US Navy

carrier strike group

The US Navy is the most powerful group of ships, carriers, and sailors on Earth.

The Navy is older than the US — founded in 1775 as the Continental Navy — and is currently made up of 430 ships and submarines. It's been involved in more than 10 major wars, and combat has taken the Navy all over the world.

The surface fleet is made up of 16 different classes of vessels, and includes amphibious assault ships, aircraft carriers, command ships, mine sweepers, destroyers, littoral combat ships, and more.

We put together a list of all the types of surface ships in service with the US Navy:

Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier

The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier is the newest carrier in the US fleet, and the intended replacement for the Nimitz-class.

The ship is 1,106 ft long and can carry more than 75 aircraft. The Ford-class carriers are intended to have a large compliment of F-35Cs, but delays in their development have put their deployment on hold.

The ship has a number of new technologies, like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, which is intended to replace the current steam-powered launch system on current aircraft carriers. As the Navy's newest carrier, new weapons may be added to the ship in the coming years, including lasers.

One carrier is in active service, with another two under construction and two on order.

Zumwalt-class destroyer

The Zumwalt-class destroyer is the newest class of ship in service with the US Navy, and is intended to serve as a multi-mission stealth ship.

The focus of the Zumwalt is supposed to be surface warfare and naval gunfire support. However, the rounds required for its Advanced Gun System were judged too expensive (ranging from $800,000 to $1 million for a single round), making them inoperable.

The Navy announced in March that it was planning on arming the Zumwalt with a suite of new missiles that can be used for anti-air, anti-surface, and ballistic-missile defense.

America-class amphibious assault ship

The America-class amphibious assault ship was built to replace the aging Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship. Unlike other ships in its role, the first two America-class vessels have no well deck.

The ship can carry a number of different aircraft, like the F-35B, AV-8B Harrier II, V-22 Osprey, and the AH-1Z Viper.

Eleven America-class ships are planned, with one in service, one awaiting sea trials, and another under construction.

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