Naval Defense Systems

Exploring aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, and unmanned naval vehicles that control the seas.

Aircraft Carriers

Gerald R. Ford Class aircraft carrier

Gerald R. Ford Class

The Gerald R. Ford class is the newest class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for the United States Navy, designed to replace the Nimitz-class carriers.

  • Displacement: 100,000 tons
  • Length: 1,106 ft
  • Aircraft: 75+
  • Propulsion: Nuclear (2 A1B reactors)
  • Crew: 4,550 (ship, air wing and staff)
  • Features: Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG)
Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier

Queen Elizabeth Class

The Queen Elizabeth class is a class of two aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy, the largest warships ever built for the UK.

  • Displacement: 65,000 tons
  • Length: 932 ft
  • Aircraft: 40
  • Propulsion: Integrated Electric Propulsion (gas turbines and diesel generators)
  • Crew: 1,600 (including air wing)
  • Features: STOVL configuration, no catapults or arrestor wires
Type 003 aircraft carrier

Type 003 (Fujian)

The Type 003 aircraft carrier (Fujian) is China's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, featuring electromagnetic catapults similar to the Ford class.

  • Displacement: 80,000+ tons (estimated)
  • Length: 1,040 ft (estimated)
  • Aircraft: 40-60 (estimated)
  • Propulsion: Conventional (non-nuclear)
  • Features: Electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS), fixed wing aircraft capability

Submarines

Virginia Class submarine

Virginia Class

The Virginia class is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines in service with the United States Navy, designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions.

  • Displacement: 7,800 tons (submerged)
  • Length: 377 ft
  • Speed: 25+ knots (submerged)
  • Armament: Tomahawk cruise missiles, torpedoes
  • Crew: 135
  • Features: Photonics mast, fly-by-wire control system
Borei Class submarine

Borei Class

The Borei class is a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines in service with the Russian Navy, designed to replace the aging Delta III, Delta IV and Typhoon classes.

  • Displacement: 24,000 tons (submerged)
  • Length: 170 m (557 ft)
  • Speed: 29 knots (submerged)
  • Armament: 16 Bulava SLBMs, torpedoes
  • Crew: 107
  • Features: Pump-jet propulsion, improved acoustic stealth
Astute Class submarine

Astute Class

The Astute class is the latest class of nuclear-powered fleet submarines in service with the Royal Navy, designed as a replacement for the Trafalgar-class submarines.

  • Displacement: 7,400 tons (submerged)
  • Length: 97 m (318 ft)
  • Speed: 30+ knots (submerged)
  • Armament: Tomahawk cruise missiles, Spearfish torpedoes
  • Crew: 98
  • Features: Advanced sonar systems, no periscope (uses optronic masts)

Destroyers and Frigates

Zumwalt Class destroyer

Zumwalt Class

The Zumwalt class is a class of three stealth guided missile destroyers designed for land attack and littoral dominance with a focus on stealth technology.

  • Displacement: 15,995 tons
  • Length: 610 ft
  • Speed: 30+ knots
  • Armament: Advanced Gun System, vertical launch cells
  • Crew: 175
  • Features: Tumblehome hull, integrated power system, stealth design
Type 055 destroyer

Type 055 Destroyer

The Type 055 destroyer is a class of stealth guided missile destroyers being constructed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, considered among the most advanced surface combatants in Asia.

  • Displacement: 13,000 tons
  • Length: 180 m (590 ft)
  • Speed: 30 knots
  • Armament: 112 vertical launch cells, main gun, anti-submarine weapons
  • Features: Integrated mast, advanced radar systems
FREMM frigate

FREMM Frigate

The FREMM (European multi-purpose frigate) is a class of multi-purpose frigates designed by France and Italy for their navies, and has been adopted by several other nations.

  • Displacement: 6,000 tons
  • Length: 144 m (472 ft)
  • Speed: 27+ knots
  • Armament: Anti-ship missiles, land attack cruise missiles, torpedoes
  • Crew: 108-145 (depending on variant)
  • Features: Stealth design, modular mission capability

Unmanned Naval Vehicles

The Future of Naval Warfare

Unmanned naval vehicles represent a significant shift in maritime operations, offering capabilities ranging from persistent surveillance to anti-submarine warfare without risking human operators.

Key Developments:

  • Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs): Autonomous or remotely operated surface ships for reconnaissance, mine countermeasures, and potentially combat operations.
  • Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): Autonomous submarines for intelligence gathering, mine detection, and potentially offensive operations.
  • Large Displacement UUVs: Submarine-sized autonomous underwater vehicles capable of extended missions.
  • Drone Swarms: Multiple coordinated unmanned vessels operating together for overwhelming effect.

Notable Systems:

  • Sea Hunter: DARPA's Medium Displacement USV designed for anti-submarine warfare and surveillance.
  • Orca XLUUV: Boeing's Extra Large UUV designed for extended autonomous underwater operations.
  • REMUS: Family of autonomous underwater vehicles used for mine countermeasures and underwater survey.

Advantages:

  • Reduced risk to human operators
  • Persistent operations without crew fatigue
  • Potential cost savings compared to manned vessels
  • Ability to operate in hazardous environments
Unmanned surface vessel concept

Naval Systems Comparison

Naval Systems Gallery

Aircraft carrier battle group
Carrier Strike Group underway
Submarine surfacing
Nuclear submarine surfacing
Destroyer firing missile
Guided missile destroyer firing
Aircraft carrier flight deck operations
Flight deck operations
Amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship with helicopters
Unmanned surface vessel
Unmanned surface vessel during testing