Naval Vessels

V

Frigate

The frigate and the guided-missile frigate differ from the standard destroyer in many respects. The frigate was designed as a special category of antisubmarine vessel. It serves as an ocean escort with amphibious-task groups, underway-replenishment groups, and convoys. The frigate is 126 to 135 m (414 to 445 ft) in length, has a beam of 12 to 14 m (40 to 47 ft), displaces about 3,600 tons, cruises at below 30 knots, and has a crew of about 200 to 300. Most are more lightly armed than destroyers, although some frigates carry missiles, antisubmarine rockets and helicopters, torpedoes, and the Phalanx system.

VI

Amphibious Warfare Vessels

Amphibious warfare ships are uniquely designed to support assault from the sea against defended positions ashore. They include several types of vessels designed to execute specific missions during amphibious operations—many developed during during World War II for use in the island campaigns in the Pacific Ocean and the invasions in Europe.

The first amphibious ship, built in 1942, was the landing ship tank (LST), which was designed primarily for transporting tanks, bulldozers, road-building equipment, artillery, and general cargo. Although their mission remains the same, the current ships are larger and faster than earlier LSTs. They offload cargo by means of a ramp over their bows; a stern gate allows offloading amphibious vehicles directly into the water. Fully loaded, these ships displace 9,000 tons, measure 159 m (522 ft) in length and 21 m (69 ft) in beam, attain a speed of 20 knots, have a ship's crew of 290, and carry 400 troops.

Amphibious command ships were designed to provide control facilities to commanders during major amphibious operations. These ships displace 20,000 tons, are 189 m (620 ft) long, and are 25 m (82 ft) in beam. They have a speed of 23 knots and carry a crew of 740.

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Amphibious assault ships transport elements of the landing force ashore using conventional landing craft, air-cushion landing craft, short-takeoff aircraft, and helicopters in support of amphibious landings. They displace 40,000 tons, are 257 m (844 ft) long and 32 m (106 ft) in the beam, have crews of 935, and carry 1,700 troops. Their speed is 20 knots.

Amphibious transport docks carry and land marines with their equipment by embarked landing craft or amphibious vehicles augmented by helicopters. They displace 18,000 tons, are 174 m (570 ft) long and 26 m (84 ft) wide, have a crew of 425, and carry 900 troops; they reach speeds of 21 knots. Dock landing ships transport and launch a variety of loaded amphibious craft and provide limited docking and repair services to small ships. They have a crew of 355 and they carry 800 troops.

Amphibious cargo ships carry heavy equipment and supplies in support of amphibious operations. They displace 21,000 tons, are 175 m (575 ft) long and 25 m (82 ft) wide, have a speed of 20 knots and a crew of 365, and carry 226 troops.

VII

Mine Warfare Ships

Mine warfare vessels include oceangoing minesweepers and mine countermeasure ships. The former displace 800 tons, measure 57 m (188 ft) long and 11 m (36 ft) wide, and carry a crew of 45. Mine countermeasure ships displace 1,400 tons, measure 68 m (223 ft) in length and 12 m (39 ft) in beam; they have a crew of 74. Minelaying is now performed chiefly by submarines and aircraft. Helicopters also play an important role in minesweeping.

VIII

Patrol Vessels

Designed to operate offensively against hostile surface craft and to conduct surveillance, screening, and special operations, the hydrofoil, missile-firing patrol combatant missile ships are the navy's fastest ships when foilborne and driven by their single gas turbine. They have good range on their diesel engines and excellent seakeeping qualities; they carry one rapid-firing gun and eight Harpoon missiles. Fully loaded, they displace 260 tons, measure 44 m (145 ft) in length and 9 m (28 ft) in the beam, and have a crew of 25. Patrol vessels play a major part in the national drug interdiction program.

IX

Auxiliary Vessels

Auxiliary vessels—underway replenishment ships and material support ships—provide combatant ships with supplies and services essential to keep a fleet operating over a prolonged period of time.

Underway replenishment ships can transfer fuel, munitions, supplies, and personnel from one vessel to another while ships are under way. They include ammunition ships (which deliver missiles and ammunition to the fleet at sea) and fleet oilers (which provide ships with petroleum products), as well as replenishment oilers, fast combat-support ships, and combat-stores ships.

Material support ships include repair ships, tenders, salvage ships, submarine rescue ships, and fleet ocean tugs. Repair ships are floating shops carrying skilled mechanical and electrical workers; they provide full repair and logistics support and serve as repair facilities where shipyards are not available. Tenders perform some repair work, supply repair parts, and render medical, dental, and other services to ships as assigned; submarine tenders furnish mobile base facilities capable of providing maintenance and logistics support for nuclear-attack submarines. Salvage ships provide firefighting, battle-damage repair, and rescue towing assistance. Submarine rescue ships serve as surface support ships for deep submergence rescue during submarine rescue operations. Fleet ocean tugs can tow ships and conduct salvage operations.

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