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U.s. Navy ShipsThe names of commissioned ships of the U.S. Navy all start with USS, meaning 'United States Ship'. Non-commissioned, civilian-manned vessels of the U.S. Navy 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 Secretary of the Navy. The names are that of the states, cities, towns, important persons, famous battles, fish, and ideals. Usually, different types of ships have names originated from different types of sources. Modern aircraft carriers and submarines use nuclear reactors for power. See United States Naval reactor for information on classification schemes and the history of nuclear powered vessels. See List of ships of the United States Navy for a more complete listing of ships past and present. Aircraft carriers Aircraft carriers are the major strategic arm of the Navy. They put U.S. air power within reach of most land-based military power. The US Navy has as many aircraft carriers as the rest of the world combined, and its carriers are much larger and more powerful than those of the rest of the world. Following below is a list of all carriers (and their homeports) on active duty or under construction as of January 21, 2004. For a list of all carriers see List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy and List of escort aircraft carriers of the United States Navy. Amphibious assault ships Amphibious assault ships carry Marines and is the platform for Marines aircraft. They project power as aircraft carriers do. - Wasp class (7 ships)
- USS Wasp (LHD 1), Norfolk, Virginia
- USS Essex (LHD 2), Sasebo, Japan
- USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Norfolk, Virginia
- USS Boxer (LHD 4), San Diego, California
- USS Bataan (LHD 5), Norfolk, Virginia
- USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), San Diego, California
- USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Norfolk, Virginia
- Tarawa class (5 ships)
- USS Tarawa (LHA 1), San Diego, California
- USS Saipan (LHA 2), Norfolk, Virginia
- USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3), San Diego, California
- USS Nassau (LHA 4), Norfolk, Virginia
- USS Peleliu (LHA 5), San Diego, California
Submarines There are two major types of submarines, ballistic and attack. Ballistic submarines have the single strategic mission of nuclear deterrence by being hidden launching platforms for nuclear ICBMs. Attack submarines have tactical missions including controlling naval and shipping activity, serving as cruise missile-launching platforms, and intelligence gathering. - Ohio class (18 in commission) — ballistic submarines, 4 to be converted into guided missile submarines
- Virginia class (1 in commission, 3 under construction) — attack submarines
- Seawolf class (2 in commission, 1 under construction) — attack submarines
- Los Angeles Class (51 in commission) — attack submarines
Some other submarines, past and present. Cruisers The current guided missile cruisers are versatile with capability for air warfare, surface warfare and undersea warfare. Some other cruisers, past and present. Destroyers Greyhounds of the Sea. The destroyer evolved from the need of navies to counter a new ship which made a devastating debut in the Chilean Civil War of 1891 and in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894. This was the swift, small torpedo boat that could dash in close to the larger ships, loose their torpedoes and dash away. The world's navies recognized the need for a counter weapon and so the torpedo boat destroyer—later just "destroyer"—was born. From the first U.S. destroyer commissioned in 1902 to the famous ships of World War II to the Spruance class destroyer to the Arleigh Burke class, the U.S. Navy's destroyers have been evolving. And that evolution continues into the 21st century with the coming of the DD(X). (Credit: US Navy Introduction to Destroyers) Some other destroyers, past and present. Frigates Modern frigates are mainly perform anti-submarine warfare and escort other ships. (Frigates are slowly being retired from the U.S. Navy fleet in favor of the development of the Littoral Combat Ship.) Some other frigates, past and present. Battleships Battleships are the best armored ships with the largest firepower from large-caliber guns. Until becoming obsolete in World War II because of aircraft carriers, they dominated naval battles. The US Navy had decommissioned all of its battle ships. At least two TLAM capable platforms remain in "Inactive" Reserve status. Others Early vessels - USS Constitution — "Old Ironsides," oldest commissioned warship afloat
- USS Monitor — first US ironclad warship, also first rotating turret
*USS Merrimack — a wooden warship rebuilt by the Confederates as the ironclad CSS Virginia
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