Navy thread

07-25-2025

In testimony before Congress on Thursday, July 24th, Admiral Daryl Caudle, nominee for Chief of Naval Operations (i.e., head of the U.S. Navy) stated that in order to meet the requirements of the U.S. and Royal Australian Navies, the production of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) must be effectively doubled.

The current production of SSNs averages 1.2 boats per year, but Admiral Caudle stated the need is for 2.2-2.3 boats per year. These numbers do not include the Columbia-class strategic ballistic missile submarines, which are the USN's top shipbuilding priority.

It's difficult to see how that doubling can be accomplished without building submarines at a third shipbuilding yard. Adding a third yard would be very, very expensive.

The replacement for the current Virginia class SSNs will be the SSN(X). The first of this new class is now planned to be ordered in 2040 instead of 2025.

An image attached to this post, provided by the poster

07-29-2025

The U.S. Navy has solicited industry for a new modular attack surface craft unmanned surface vessel. They want a vessel that is fast, long-ranging and can carry modular payloads with weapons.

The Navy has previously experimented with first-generation modular USVs -- see photo.

07-29-2025

The Chinese PLA Navy aircraft carrier Fujian (CV-18), the first PLAN carrier with catapults -- and the newer-type electromagnetic catapults at that -- has conducted some sea trials, although it may not have operated aircraft yet. Full sea trials including aircraft operations are expected later this year.

The Fujian is very slightly smaller than an American Nimitz class CVN, though powered with steam turbines. (A Chinese nuclear carrier is believed to be under construction.) It is estimated to have a full-load displacement of 80-85,000 tons and features three catapults and three aircraft elevators.

The embarked air wing is projected to consist of Shenyang J-15T Flanker strike fighters and some J-15D electronic warfare/attack variants, Shenyang J-35 stealth strike fighters, KJ-600 airborne warning & control aircraft and Z-20 anti-submarine and utility helicopters. The air wing is unlikely to be as large (80 aircraft or so) as a U,S, Navy counterpart.

08-03-2025

Icebreakers are really a commercial or coast guard topic but allow me to discuss this topic in the navy thread.

The most capable builders of icebreakers, to no one's surprise, are Finland and Russia. Finland has specialized in building icebreakers for many years. Russia has a number of nuclear-powered icebreakers in service. These types are among the most capable icebreakers in the world.

Canada and the United States have embarked on major programs to build icebreakers. To some extent they are cooperating on these efforts and are also leveraging Finnish expertise via a trilateral Canadian, Finnish and U.S. pact.

The U.S. Coast Guard has two Polar-class heavy icebreakers under construction or authorized and is looking to buy a third and a number of medium multipurpose icebreakers as well. The heavy ships, to be designated as Polar Security Cutters, can break ice up to 3 m (9.8 ft) thick. The medium ships' design has not yet been fixed; there are a couple of bidders for the ships, which the USCG will call Arctic Security Cutters. The design may be quite similar to those for the Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard is purchasing up to 16 multipurpose icebreakers with the primary mission of breaking ice in inland waterways.

08-03-2025

Even a bit further from the topic of navy, a French company operates one of the most capable icebreakers in the world as a luxury cruise ship, catering to guests seeking a look at earth's polar regions.

Le Commandant Charcot is a relatively large icebreaker of some 30,000-plus gross tons. It accommodates just 270 passengers and has made voyages to the Arctic and Antartica. In 2024 it reached the North Pole.

08-03-2025

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08-03-2025

GF of mine, parents had a Concrete sailboat they planned to sail around the world, Don't know what happened to them she was Bat Turds crazy and made for a quick relationship.

08-19-2025

USS Idaho followed by USS Texas c.1930

08-20-2025

The first North Korean navy missile destroyer is testing weapons and systems in preparation for full operational capability in 2026. The Choe Hyon (DDG-51) is about half the displacement of an American missile destroyer but appears to be heavily armed for its size. Its complement of weapons may include those with nuclear warheads.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korean_destroyer_Choe_Hyon

DDG-51 was followed by a second of the class, the Kang Kon (DDG-52) which was in the news earlier this year after a launch gone awry. DDG-52 has now been successfully relaunched and continues under construction.

The Wikipedia article does not highlight the fact, but it appears to me that considerable Russian assistance contributed to these ships.

I suspect that South Korea (and perhaps Japan) will react to this upgrade by a previously pathetic North Korean Navy.

08-31-2025

Battleships dominated the seas for years until the advent of the airplane; they were characterized by large caliber guns (14- to 18 inches in the 20th century) and heavy armor protection.

The last U.S. Navy class of battleship to see service was the Iowa class. Here is a cross-section of the hull showing the elaborate armor protection of the ship. The armor had to protect against both plunging shells of enemy battleships arriving from long distances and torpedoes exploding under the waterline or under the keel.

The slanted armor components were designed to deflect armor-piercing projectiles downwards.

Such a diagram would have been classified secret when the ships were built.

09-03-2025

For decades, Japan has avoided exporting defense-related items such as ships and aircraft. In recent years, though, they have begun to make efforts to sell Japanese designs to foreign customers.

Last month, they scored a major win with an order from the Royal Australian Navy for 11 new frigates. The first 3 will be constructed in Japan, with the remainder built in Australia.

The Mogami class is a relatively large stealthy frigate armed with a 5-inch (127mm) gun and with various missile launchers. It can accommodate a single H-60 helicopter.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force already has 8 of these ships in service and plans a total of 12 with the last delivered in 2027. The first RAN ships should be operational by 2030.

09-03-2025

A bit of further investigation reveals that the Royal Australian Navy has TWO classes of frigates planned to join the fleet. The Japanese design above is the smaller of the two and there is another Hunter class heavy missile frigate (based on a UK design; no photo) under construction with 6 ships planned. Both these are in addition to the Spanish design-based AEGIS air warfare destroyers that entered service from 2017, and which are planned for a mid-life upgrade. All in all, Australia will end up with a formidable navy for service in an uncertain world. I suspect that the rapid rise of Chinese naval power has much to do with this.

I have previously posted on the nuclear submarine ambitions of the RAN -- allow me to recap: Australia is scheduled to receive a single used Virginia class nuclear attack submarine from the USA in 2033, and that will be followed by two more ex-USN examples of the same class. RAN personnel are currently serving in USN Virginia class boats and should be quite comfortable operating nuclear submarines by the time the first one is transferred.

At the same time, Australia, the UK and the USA are cooperating in the design of a new class of nuclear-powered attack submarine to be operated by the Royal Navy and the RAN. The RAN plans to buy five of these boats with deliveries starting in the 2040s.

All these nuclear-powered subs will replace 6 RAN Diesel-electric boats that were built in the 1990s.

Quickly recapping some other RAN ships, two large amphibious assault ships and two replenishment oilers, also largely of Spanish design, are also important units of the RAN.

While the larger fleet units are based on foreign designs, the RAN also operates a number of smaller vessels such as patrol boats and auxiliaries of Australian origin.

Finally, the RAN also operates Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters in combat and utility roles and continues to buy more.

My impression of the RAN is of a well-balanced service that is in the midst of substantial expansion and will contribute greatly to the security of the region.

09-14-2025

The recently commissioned AEGIS cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) was transferred to the Pacific Fleet shortly after delivery in 1988. She transited to her new home port of San Diego via Cape Horn, where the seas are often quite rough.

09-19-2025

No Thank you! The amount of vomit that needed mopping up must have been horrendous.

09-19-2025

That photo reminds me of my brother's Navy career. He spent four years in the Navy as a Fire Control Technician (Guns). FTGs work in the director above the bridge (where side to side motion is most pronounced) and he was stationed on two ships during his enlistment. He spent the entire time queasy if not downright seasick. He missed taking the examination for FTG2 (E-5) because he was too seasick that day.

Clearly he should've joined one of the other services!

09-20-2025

Llarry wrote
The recently commissioned AEGIS cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) was transferred to the Pacific Fleet shortly after delivery in 1988. She transited to her new home port of San Diego via Cape Horn, where the seas are often quite rough.

Been there, done that in an LPD. Green water over the bow! 'Twas quite a ride!

Llarry wrote
That photo reminds me of my brother's Navy career. He spent four years in the Navy as a Fire Control Technician (Guns). FTGs work in the director above the bridge (where side to side motion is most pronounced) and was stationed on two ships during his enlistment. He spent the entire time queasy if not downright seasick. He missed taking the examination for FTG2 (E-5) because he was too seasick that day.

Clearly he should've joined one of the other services!

We had a guy from Eastern Washington spend every 20 minutes or so of his first 7-hour watch over the porcelain thrown. It was comical at first, but after a couple of hours i started to feel a bit sorry for him.

09-23-2025

Caldwell, Wickes and Clemson class destroyers were all "four-stackers". Nineteen were transferred to the Royal Navy in 1940...

09-25-2025

The Chinese supercarrier Fujian (CV-18) has finally conducted aircraft operations. The ship has 3 electromagnetic catapults (presumably similar to the latest U.S. aircraft carriers) and 3 aircraft elevators. Unlike the U.S. ships, Fujian is conventionally powered. A nuclear-powered Chinese aircraft carrier is expected.

The aircraft observed being launched and recovered for these sea trials include the heavyweight J-15 fighter, the J-35 stealth fighter and the KJ-600 warning and control radar plane. The Fujian will likely operate J-15DT electronic warfare attack fighters as well and at least one type of helicopter when fully operational.

10-07-2025

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10-23-2025

As the war in the Pacific neared Japan in 1944-45, there were a couple of large typhoons that hit the Allied ships. There was some criticism of Admiral Halsey and fleet meteorologists that not enough was done to avoid the roughest seas. Several ships were lost and others damaged. A contributing factor was a lack of fuel oil; more oil helped to stabilize the ships in heavy seas and a number of ships went through the typhoon with low fuel tanks.

Here is a Fletcher class destroyer during Typhoon Cobra in December 1944. The ship is in a trough between two large waves.

11-01-2025

When there was no longer a purpose for the Liberty ships...the troops were now home.

11-01-2025

Since at least 2017, the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command has operated a ship -- MV Ocean Trader -- on behalf of the Special Operations Command to serve as a base for special operations forces. To allow the ship to operate without drawing undue attention to itself, it is not painted in the typical Navy paint scheme.

Ocean Trader carries fast attack craft and can accommodate helicopters.

It is currently operating in the Caribbean Sea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Ocean_Trader

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Navy thread