The 600-ship Navy was a strategic plan of the United States Navy during the 1980s to rebuild its fleet after cutbacks that followed the end of the Vietnam War. [1] The plan, which originated with Republican leaders, was an important campaign plank of Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election, who advocated a larger military and strategic confrontation with the Soviet Union. [2] [3]
The number of ships peaked at 594 in 1987, before declining sharply after the end of the Cold War in 1989–1991. [4]
The program included:
The idea was supported by John F. Lehman, who became Reagan's Secretary of the Navy, and Caspar Weinberger, Reagan's Secretary of Defense.
The idea behind the 600-ship Navy can be traced back to the Vietnam War. During the war, the armed services rapidly expanded to meet the demands placed on them.
The Soviet Union, which had been supporting North Vietnam, began staging their naval vessels from former U.S. ports in South Vietnam. Building on this gain, Soviet vessels began to sail in all seven seas with increased vigor and even ventured into the Gulf of Mexico. [5] Soviet forces also stepped up infantry, armor, and air force deployments in Eastern Europe.
It was against this backdrop in 1980 that the United States began an election year. President Reagan continued this in 1984, releasing a campaign commercial "Bear," which played on the use of the bear as a national symbol of Russia in order to promote higher vigilance and defense expenditures against the Soviet Union.
The overseas strategic retaliation arm was strengthened and the development of new weaponry like the B-1B bomber, the Bradley fighting vehicle, and the Abrams tank was completed and they were put into production.
Lehman attempted to "front-load" the program, by committing the Navy to the building program, but in the end the funds were not available and it fell short. [6] [7]
The Navy saw the largest benefit of the rebuilding. [8] [9] Under the Reagan administration, the first of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines were completed. This class was the largest submarine ever built in the U.S. The ship carried 24 Trident I nuclear-capable missiles, each one with a 4,000-mile (6,400 km) range. Construction of the Nimitz class of supercarriers and Los Angeles-class attack submarines were dramatically stepped up. The revolutionary new Aegis Combat System was installed on the upcoming Ticonderoga-class ships, production of which was also stepped up. Several aircraft carriers were put through Service Life Extension Programs (SLEPs) aimed at keeping them in service longer. The Iowa-class battleships, built in the 1940s, were all recommissioned and refitted with RGM-84 Harpoon, BGM-109 Tomahawk, and Phalanx CIWS system capabilities, plus their armor plating would be more resilient against anti-ship missiles. The first Harpoons, Tomahawks, and AGM-88 HARM missiles all debuted on the navy's ships. Naval aviation was stepped up with the introduction of the F/A-18 Hornet, along with improved versions of the EA-6 Prowler electronic countermeasure aircraft, the A-6 Intruder, and the F-14 Tomcat. In addition, the nation's strategic retaliatory arm was strengthened with advanced B-1B bombers and deploying Pershing II theater missiles to Europe. The initiative also included deployment of Abrams main battle tanks and Bradley armored fighting vehicles. U.S. Navy unclassified miscellaneous ships, auxiliary ships, and yard ships are not included in the ship count.
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nimitz class | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | |
USS Enterprise (CVN-65) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Kitty Hawk class | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Forrestal class | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Midway class | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Essex class | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | Ships | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iowa class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ticonderoga class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 16 | |
Virginia class | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
California class | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
USS Truxtun (CGN-35) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Belknap class | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
Leahy class | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
Long Beach class | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | Ships | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 41 | 42 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kidd class | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Spruance class | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | |
Charles F. Adams class | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 10 | |
Farragut class | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | |
Forrest Sherman class | 18 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Gearing class | 14 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | Ships | 95 | 91 | 76 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 68 | 63 | 52 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oliver Hazard Perry class | 8 | 17 | 26 | 37 | 45 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 54 | 55 | 55 | |
Knox class | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | |
Brooke class | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Garcia class | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
Bronstein class | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Total | Ships | 73 | 82 | 91 | 102 | 110 | 115 | 117 | 119 | 108 | 104 | 103 |
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total major combatants active | 208 | 213 | 208 | 214 | 224 | 230 | 236 | 242 | 232 | 229 | 218 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wasp class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Tarawa class | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Iwo Jima class | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
Total | Ships | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whidbey Island class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
Anchorage class | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Thomaston class | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
Casa Grande class | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | Ships | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austin class | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
Raleigh class | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Total | Ships | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charleston class | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
USS Tulare (AKA-112) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | Ships | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Newport class | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | |
General Frank S. Besson class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Total | Ships | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total amphibious active | 67 | 67 | 67 | 65 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 66 | 68 | 67 | 67 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Ridge class | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Total | Ships | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mercy class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Avenger class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
Aggressive class | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 14 | |
Total | Ships | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 17 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pegasus class | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |
Asheville class | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Total | Ships | 10 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Henry J. Kaiser class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | |
Cimarron class | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Wichita class | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
Total | Ships | 7 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USNS Lawrence H. Gianella (T-AOT-1125) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
SS class | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Total | Ships | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kilauea class | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
Nitro class | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Total | Ships | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mars class | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
Sirius class | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Total | Ships | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sacramento class | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Total | Ships | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Algol class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
Cape Island class | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Cape Ducato class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Cape Ducato class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Total | Ships | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yellowstone class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Samuel Gompers class | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Shenandoah class | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | Ships | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emory S. Land class | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
USS L. Y. Spear (AS-36) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | Ships | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Keystone State class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | |
Gopher State class | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
Total | Ships | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
American Cormorant | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USNS Zeus (T-ARC-7) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Safeguard class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Pigeon class | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
Bolster class | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |
Total | Ships | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
USS Range Sentinel (AGM-22) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
USNS Vanguard (T-AG-194) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | Ships | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stalwart class | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 18 | |
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 18 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USNS Hayes (T-AGOR-16) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
Total | Ships | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total auxiliary active | 88 | 98 | 100 | 109 | 113 | 119 | 128 | 136 | 140 | 149 | 147 |
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total surface active | 363 | 378 | 375 | 388 | 400 | 412 | 427 | 444 | 440 | 445 | 432 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles class | 10 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 29 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 42 | 44 | |
Sturgeon class | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | |
Permit class | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8 | |
Skipjack class | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
Barbel class | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
Skate class | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
USS Seawolf (SSN-575) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
USS Darter (SS-576) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
Tang class | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | Subs | 77 | 83 | 87 | 91 | 94 | 98 | 96 | 97 | 95 | 94 | 89 |
Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ohio class | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
Benjamin Franklin class | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
James Madison class | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
Lafayette class | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 3 | |
Ethan Allen class | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
George Washington class | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | Subs | 41 | 41 | 41 | 39 | 40 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 40 | 38 | 36 |
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total submarines active | 118 | 124 | 128 | 130 | 134 | 137 | 135 | 136 | 135 | 132 | 125 |
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total active fleet | 481 | 502 | 503 | 518 | 534 | 549 | 562 | 580 | 575 | 577 | 557 |
Eventually political pressure to reduce the national budget deficit resulted in Congress reversing itself and passing a series of declining defense budgets beginning in 1986. [10] [11] [7] Weinberger clashed with Congress over the cuts, resigning in late 1987, and was succeeded by Frank Carlucci. [12] Furthermore, concerns were raised about how the expansion of the Navy would reduce attention and resources needed in other scenarios where the Soviets also had to be confronted such as Europe. [13]
Lehman's successor as Navy Secretary, Jim Webb, remained a fierce proponent of the expanded fleet, and disagreed with Carlucci over how to cut the Navy budget in line with other services. Webb resigned rather than endorse Carlucci's cut of 16 frigates. [14] As revealed in The Reagan Diaries , Reagan reflected about Webb's resignation on 22 February 1988: "Present Sec. Webb resigned over budget cuts. I don't think Navy was sorry to see him go." [15] [16]
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s and the lack of a perceived threat against the United States, several of the Reagan Administration's policies and plans, such as the "600-ship Navy", were scaled back or abandoned. [2] U.S. bases across Europe and North America were slowly decommissioned and closed, others were mothballed through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. [6] In the Navy, this resulted in the retirement of several older carriers, the decommissioning of all four of the Iowa-class battleships and the cancellation of the remaining Seawolf-class submarines.
A cruiser is a type of warship. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and can usually perform several operational roles from search-and-destroy to ocean escort to sea denial.
A carrier battle group (CVBG) is a naval fleet consisting of an aircraft carrier capital ship and its large number of escorts, together defining the group. The CV in CVBG is the United States Navy hull classification code for an aircraft carrier.
The Ohio class of nuclear-powered submarines includes the United States Navy's 14 ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and its four cruise missile submarines (SSGNs). Each displacing 18,750 tons submerged, the Ohio-class boats are the largest submarines ever built for the U.S. Navy. They are also the third-largest submarines ever built, behind the Russian Navy's Soviet era 48,000-ton Typhoon class, the last of which was retired in 2023, and 24,000-ton Borei class. Capable of carrying 24 Trident II missiles apiece, the Ohio class are equipped with just as many missiles as, if not more than, either the Borei class (16) or the deactivated Typhoon class (20).
The George Washington class was a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines deployed by the United States Navy. George Washington, along with the later Ethan Allen, Lafayette, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin classes, comprised the "41 for Freedom" group of submarines that represented the Navy's main contribution to the nuclear deterrent force through the late 1980s.
The Iowa class was a class of six fast battleships ordered by the United States Navy in 1939 and 1940. They were initially intended to intercept fast capital ships such as the Japanese Kongō class while also being capable of serving in a traditional battle line alongside slower battleships and act as its "fast wing". The Iowa class was designed to meet the Second London Naval Treaty's "escalator clause" limit of 45,000-long-ton (45,700 t) standard displacement. Beginning in August 1942, four vessels, Iowa, New Jersey, Missouri, and Wisconsin, were completed; two more, Illinois and Kentucky, were laid down but canceled in 1945 and 1958, respectively, before completion, and both hulls were scrapped in 1958–1959.
The history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that became notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy" the result of a modernization effort that began in the 1880s and made it the largest in the world by 1943.
The capital ships of a navy are its most important warships; they are generally the larger ships when compared to other warships in their respective fleet. A capital ship is generally a leading or a primary ship in a naval fleet.
USS Halibut (SSGN-587), a unique nuclear-powered guided missile submarine-turned-special operations platform, later redesignated as an attack submarine SSN-587, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after the halibut.
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John Francis Lehman Jr. is an American private equity investor and writer who was secretary of the Navy (1981–1987) during the Reagan administration in which he promoted the creation of a 600-ship navy.
USS Florida (SSBN-728/SSGN-728), an Ohio-class cruise missile submarine, is the sixth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Florida. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-728; with her conversion to a cruise missile submarine, from a ballistic missile submarine, she was re-designated SSGN-728.
The Soviet Navy was the naval warfare uniform service branch of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy made up a large part of the Soviet Union's strategic planning in the event of a conflict with the opposing superpower, the United States, during the Cold War (1945–1991). The Soviet Navy played a large role during the Cold War, either confronting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in western Europe or power projection to maintain its sphere of influence in eastern Europe.
Battleship Cove is a nonprofit maritime museum and war memorial in Fall River, Massachusetts, United States. Featuring the world's largest collection of World War II naval vessels, it is home to the highly decorated battleship USS Massachusetts. It is located at the heart of the waterfront at the confluence of the Taunton River and Mount Hope Bay and lies partially beneath the Braga Bridge and adjacent to Fall River Heritage State Park.
USS Batfish (SSN-681), was a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy. She was the eleventh Sturgeon-class submarine launched. Her primary missions were anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and screening carrier battle groups. She was launched in 1971 and decommissioned in 1999.
The names of commissioned ships of the United States Navy all start with USS, for United States Ship. Non-commissioned, primarily civilian-crewed vessels of the U.S. Navy under the Military Sealift Command 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 those of states, cities, towns, important persons, important locations, famous battles, fish, and ideals. Usually, different types of ships have names originated from different types of sources.
There are three major types of submarines in the United States Navy: ballistic missile submarines, attack submarines, and cruise missile submarines. All submarines currently in the U.S. Navy are nuclear-powered. Ballistic missile submarines have a single strategic mission of carrying nuclear submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Attack submarines have several tactical missions, including sinking ships and subs, launching cruise missiles, and gathering intelligence. Cruise missile submarines perform many of the same missions as attack submarines, but with a focus on their ability to carry and launch larger quantities of cruise missiles than typical attack submarines.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, abbreviated JMSDF, also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) after World War II. The JMSDF has a fleet of 154 ships, 346 aircraft and 50,800 personnel.
Naval tactics and doctrine is the collective name for methods of engaging and defeating an enemy ship or fleet in battle at sea during naval warfare, the naval equivalent of military tactics on land.
The United States battleship retirement debate was a debate among the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Congress, and independent groups over the effectiveness of naval gunfire support (NGFS) provided by Iowa-class battleships, and whether or not an alternative should be implemented. The debate centered on the best way to provide fire support for amphibious assault and other troops near a shoreline.
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage of its active battle fleet alone exceeding the next 13 navies combined, including 11 allies or partner nations of the U.S. as of 2009. It has the highest combined battle fleet tonnage and the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet, with 11 in service, 1 undergoing trials, two new carriers under construction, and six other carriers planned as of 2024. With 336,978 personnel on active duty and 101,583 in the Ready Reserve, the U.S. Navy is the third largest of the United States military service branches in terms of personnel. It has 299 deployable combat vessels and about 4,012 operational aircraft as of July 18, 2023.