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.
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Samuel Loring Morison was a former American intelligence professional who was convicted of espionage and theft of government property in 1985 and pardoned in 2001. He was "the only [American] government official ever convicted for giving classified information to the press."
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.
The Type 094 is a class of nuclear ballistic missile submarines developed by China for the People's Liberation Army Navy Submarine Force. The Type 094 succeeds the Type 092 submarine and precedes the Type 096 submarine, which is under development.
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 world's most powerful navy and the largest by tonnage, at 4.5 million tons in 2021 and in 2009 an estimated battle fleet tonnage that exceeded the next 13 navies combined. It has the world's largest aircraft carrier fleet, with 11 in service, one 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.
The upcoming Columbia-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines of the United States Navy are designed to replace the Ohio class. Construction of the first vessel began on 1 October 2020. She is scheduled to enter service in 2031.
Aegis system equipped vessels (ASEV) or (Japanese: イージス・システム搭載艦) are a pair of ballistic missile defense (BMD) warships under construction to be operated by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as dedicated sea-based BMD platforms, serving as an alternative to Japan's now-cancelled land-based Aegis Ashore BMD system.