The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier fleet is in the Pacific Off the Philippines. (U.S. Navy website)
The most powerful navy in the world is the United States. But just how strong is the US navy? It is difficult to answer this question accurately and comprehensively. Because the US Navy is equipped with the most sophisticated weapons in the world, such as the well-known 10 super carrier battle groups, it has a naval and air strike force that can cover any corner of the globe. But just a few of the usual warships, submarines and carrier-borne aircraft, as well as the development of shipborne laser guns, offer a glimpse into the power of the present and future US navy.
Berkley class destroyer
Berkley class destroyer. (Wikipedia)
It is the mainstay of the U.S. Navy, the largest number of ships built in the world, with 68 currently in service. It is the most powerful missile destroyer in the world. The Berkeley-class destroyer disrates nearly ten thousand tons, and its tonnage and fighting capacity are even larger than the average cruiser. It is important to note that the Berkeley-class destroyer, commissioned in 1991, is equipped with the Aegis, the world’s most advanced integrated electronic defense and attack system, capable of managing and launching its own strike systems while analyzing and defending against enemy attacks. A Berkeley destroyer can coordinate entire fleet operations, such as with the E-2 Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning electronic aircraft, to extend strike range.
Berkley class destroyer. (Wikipedia)
The Berkeley destroyer is equipped with a variety of missile launch equipment that can launch sea Sparrow missiles, standard Type 1 and Type 2 medium-range missiles, standard Type 6 long-range missiles, and even standard Type 3 ballistic missiles against specific targets. The destroyer is also equipped with ship-based anti-submarine helicopters that can be used for long-range attack submarine missions. Of course, the Berkeley destroyers are also equipped with other conventional weapons, such as the MK46 anti-submarine torpedo, the MK25mm cannon, the M-2 heavy machine gun, and the phalanx close-range defense system.
The EA-18G Growler is a ship-based electronic fighter
Ea-18g Electronic fighter. (Wikipedia)
The aircraft is similar in structure and performance to the famous Hornet carrier-borne fighter, but it is unique in combining electronic jamming and missile attack and other combat capabilities. The EA-18G uses the latest directional jamming system to cut off communication between the enemy and maintain normal communication between its own side. The EA-18G can carry up to five ALQ-99 jammers, as well as air strike weapons such as two AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles or AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missiles.
Virginia-class submarine
Virginia-class attack submarine. (Wikipedia)
Developed during the Cold War, this nuclear-powered fast attack submarine has a displacement of 7,900 tons, a length of 115 meters and a maximum depth of 450-600 meters. It is operational in both deep sea and offshore areas. There are 19 Virginia-class submarines currently in service, and the Navy plans to build a total of 66. The submarine uses a number of innovative designs, such as replacing traditional periscopes with fiber-optic sensors to see targets more clearly at night, and a silent thruster to hide itself from the enemy. The head of the submarine is equipped with an advanced sonar system, which can detect mines very sensitively. In addition, it is equipped with dozens of 533mm torpedo tubes, launching MK-48 torpedoes, and all-weather BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Ohio class nuclear – powered cruise missile submarine
It has a submarine displacement of nearly 19,000 tons and a hull length of 170 meters and a width of 13 meters. It can survive under water for dozens of days. Four of the world’s most famous Ohio-class cruise missile submarines are uss Ohio, USS Michigan, USS Florida and USS Georgia, each equipped with 154 cruise missiles. Because the U.S. military is in compliance with the nuclear weapons treaty, 22 of the 24 tubes of the previous four nuclear-capable Tridente I (C-4) ballistic missiles were converted to launch BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles, an all-weather subsonic cruise missile with a range of 1,127 kilometers underwater.
Tomahawk cruise missile launched from an Ohio class nuclear – powered submarine. (Wikipedia)
On March 19, 2011, during Operation Odyssey Dawn, a Russia-class ballistic missile submarine, the Florida launched 93 Tomahawk cruise missiles, destroying Libyan air defense systems, command centers and other strategic targets. The Ohio-class cruise missile submarine can carry up to four platoons, a total of 66 soldiers, and could one day be converted into a mother ship for unmanned submarines.
One of the future equipment: shipborne laser gun
The laser gun is a science fiction weapon. Back in 2017, the USS Ponce, an amphibious landing ship, successfully test-fired a 30KW laser gun that destroyed drones and targets on small boats. In May 2020, the NAVY’s Pacific Fleet amphibious landing ship Portland test-fired a 150KW laser gun off the coast of Hawaii, successfully shooting down a drone target.
Laser guns on the AMPHIbious landing ship Ponce. (Wikipedia)
According to the navy, the laser gun should have a power of 200 to 300KW, which is not available in current test equipment. The laser cannon costs less than $1 per shot and is in line with international weapons conventions, so its applications are immeasurable. Of course, in addition to laser guns, the U.S. Navy already has a lot of other cutting-edge equipment, such as carrier-based drones and unmanned helicopters, that will add even more power to the navy in the coming years.
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