US Navy Advanced Destroyers: The United States Navy operates the world’s most powerful fleet, with hundreds of advanced warships protecting oceans worldwide. From massive aircraft carriers to stealthy submarines, these ships give America unmatched strength at sea.
Top US Navy Advanced Destroyers
1. Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
With 68 ships in service, the Arleigh Burke class forms the backbone of the Navy’s surface fleet. First entering service in 1991, these guided missile destroyers are still being built in updated versions. Over 500 feet long, each ship carries nearly 100 missile launchers and uses the AEGIS combat system to track and engage multiple air, land, and sea threats at once.
2. Los Angeles-class submarine
The Navy operates 28 Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, first launched in the 1970s to counter Soviet subs during the Cold War.
At 360 feet long, they carry torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Though built for 30-year service lives, many have been upgraded to stay effective against modern threats.
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3. Ticonderoga-class cruiser
The Navy’s 22 Ticonderoga-class cruisers are powerful air defense ships, first to carry the AEGIS system when they entered service in the 1980s. At 567 feet long, they can control airspace over hundreds of miles and guide missiles to intercept threats.
4. Virginia-class submarine
The Virginia-class submarine, in service since 2004, carries Tomahawk missiles and Mk-48 torpedoes. At nearly 400 feet long, each has a crew of 130 and has supported missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
5. Ohio-class submarine
Ohio-class submarines are a big part of America’s nuclear defense. Each one carries at least 10 Trident missiles with nuclear warheads. They are over 550 feet long and have about 150 crew members. A nuclear engine gives them endless range, so they only return to land to get more supplies.
6. Independence-class corvette
The Independence-class is one type of littoral combat ship in the U.S. Navy, along with the Freedom class. These ships use stealth technology and secure communication systems. They can also operate in deeper waters, not just close to shore. They carry Griffin missiles, a SeaRAM defense system, and heavy machine guns.
7. San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock
The San Antonio class is a type of Navy ship designed to carry troops, helicopters, and small boats. It has space for about 400 crew members and can also carry around 700 Marines. These ships first started serving in 2006.
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8. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier
The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers began service in the 1970s. They were based on lessons from World War II and improved with better radar and more aircraft. Each ship can carry around 90 aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. The Navy has stopped building this class and is now using the newer Ford-class carriers.
9. Cyclone-class patrol ship
The Cyclone-class patrol ships are the smallest warships in the U.S. Navy. They are about 175 feet long and have fewer than 50 crew members. Because of their small size, they carry light weapons like Stinger missiles, grenade launchers, and machine guns.
10. Freedom-class littoral combat ship
The Freedom class joined the U.S. Navy in 2008. It is a fast ship made for missions near the shore in shallow waters. These ships weigh about 3,000 tons and sit about 13 feet deep in the water, which helps them move easily in coastal areas.
11. Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship
Made of wood covered with fiberglass to avoid setting off mines. They use sonar and robots to find and destroy underwater bombs.
Their crew of 84 includes divers. The Avenger class’s primary sensor systems are the AN/SSN-2 Precise Integrated Navigation System, AN/SQQ-32 Mine Hunting Sonar System, AN/SPS-55 Surface Radar System, and AN/WSN-2 Gyro Compass.
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12. Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship
The Whidbey Island class is a type of ship that carries troops and aircraft. It is much smaller than big carriers like the Nimitz or Ford class about half the size. These ships have a crew of 200 to 300 people and can carry up to 500 Marines.
13. Wasp-class amphibious assault ship
The Wasp class has the hull number LHD, which means “landing helicopter dock.” These ships carry helicopters, smaller boats, and landing craft. They also have advanced communication systems to help lead land and sea missions. Each ship costs about $822 million to build.
14. Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship
The Harpers Ferry class joined the Navy in the late 1990s. These ships act as command centers and carry landing craft, Marines, and other vehicles for missions on land. They were built in New Orleans by Avondale Shipyard, which stopped making Navy ships in 2014.
15. Seawolf-class submarine
16. Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer
The Zumwalt class joined the Navy in 2016. These ships look very different from older destroyers and are smaller, with a crew of 140 and a weight of about 14,500 tons. For comparison, a Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier weighs 112,000 tons and has over 4,600 crew. The Zumwalt program was stopped because it was too expensive, so no more ships will be built in this class.
17. Blue Ridge-class command ship
The USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) was the first of its kind, joining the Navy in 1970. It works as a command ship, helping lead fleet missions using advanced communication and intelligence systems (C4I).
It has a crew of about 842 but can hold up to 1,500 people. The ship served in the Vietnam War and later helped Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
18. America-class amphibious assault ship
The America (LHA-6) is one of two ships in the America-class of amphibious assault ships. It has a crew of just over 1,000 and can carry about 1,700 Marines. Its flight deck supports aircraft that take off and land vertically, like the AV-8B Harrier II, helicopters, and tilt-rotor MV-22B Ospreys. These ships are mainly used to support Marine missions.
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19. Ford-class aircraft carrier
The Ford class of aircraft carriers is the next generation after the Nimitz class. The lead ship, the Gerald R. Ford, can carry at least 75 aircraft, including helicopters and drones. While it doesn’t have as many weapons as other Navy ships, its power comes from the aircraft it carries. New ships in this class, like the John F. Kennedy and Enterprise, are being built.
“The Navy’s strength comes from having the right ship for every job,” says Admiral John Richardson, according to History Computer. “Our sailors train hard to operate these complex warships in peace and war.” Whether under the waves or on the ocean’s surface, U.S. Navy ships stand ready to defend the nation.
