Warship. Kinds of warships

Warship is a naval combat ship. Some kinds of warships fight enemy aircraft, surface ships, and submarines. They are heavily armed with such weapons as guns, missiles, rockets, and torpedoes. Others serve as bases for planes or helicopters. Still others transport troops, weapons, and equipment to landing areas.

Warships range in size from small vessels with only a few crew members to large aircraft carriers that carry nearly 6,000. Most warships have radar to detect enemy aircraft and surface ships and sonar to locate submarines. Electronic intercept equipment can detect radio and radar transmissions from enemy ships and aircraft.

From ancient times until the 1600's, warships and cargo ships were almost identical. Warships gradually became specialized vessels for military use.

A warship in action. The aircraft carrier U.S.S. Constellation tests a missile for use against enemy ships. Members of the crew watch the test from the ship's flight deck. Aircraft carriers are the largest and most powerful type of warship

Kinds of warships. Large modern navies have many kinds of warships that are designed for certain combat operations. The United States Navy uses six principal types. These types are (1) aircraft carriers, (2) amphibious warfare ships, (3) cruisers, (4) destroyers, (5) frigates, and (6) submarines. Many fleets also include small warships called small combatants.

Aircraft carriers are the largest and most powerful warships. They serve as bases for bomber and fighter planes. They also carry antisubmarine aircraft, helicopters, and small numbers of other kinds of planes. Aircraft carriers have few defensive weapons, and so they depend on other warships for protection.

A carrier has a large, flat flight deck with equipment that enables planes to take off and land without a long runway. The aircraft are launched by four catapults, each of which can put a plane into the air every 30 seconds. The landing area of the flight deck has steel wires across it A hook attached to the bottom of each plane catches onto a wire, bringing the aircraft to a quick stop.

The powerful radars of an aircraft carrier not only detect enemy planes but also guide the carrier's own aircraft Short-range radars are used to detect enemy missiles. They also help the crew keep track of nearby ships at night and navigate the carrier near shore. Aircraft carriers are about 1,100 feet (335 meters) long and can carry from 85 to 95 planes. Carriers travel at speeds of over 30 knots (nautical miles per hour).

Amphibious warfare ships land troops, weapons, and vehicles on beaches held by the enemy. Some of these ships remain far from shore and use small amphibious landing craft or helicopters to land the troops and cargo. Such ships have closed-off areas at sea level called docking wells. The docking wells are flooded and opened into the sea so that landing craft can float out through them.

Some amphibious warfare ships serve chiefly as helicopter carriers. They resemble small aircraft carriers but do not have the launching and landing equipment needed for conventional planes. These ships carry from 20 to 30 helicopters, as well as troops and small vehicles. The ships also can serve as bases for V/STOL aircraft V/STOL's can take off and land vertically or on a very short runway. Other amphibious warfare ships have command and communications facilities to coordinate air, shore, and surface operations.

Amphibious warfare ships measure up to 800 feet (245 meters) long and travel at speeds of about 20 knots. They carry few defensive weapons.

Cruisers escort aircraft carriers and defend them against air and submarine attacks. Modern cruisers are called guided missile cruisers. They carry supersonic missiles that can be fired at aircraft that are from 1 5 to 85 miles (25 to 135 kilometers) from the ship. Cruisers also have antisubmarine rockets and torpedoes for use against enemy submarines. Some cruisers carry one or two helicopters. After an enemy submarine has been detected by sonar, the helicopters pinpoint its location and attack it with torpedoes or depth bombs. Some cruisers also carry 5-inch guns. Modern cruisers are about 570 feet (175 meters) long and travel at speeds of more than 30 knots.

Destroyers are used chiefly to defend aircraft carriers, amphibious ships, and merchant ships. They also perform various independent missions, such as bombarding enemy shores and conducting search and rescue operations at sea.

Modern destroyers have 5-inch guns, short-range antiaircraft missiles, and antisubmarine weapons. They also carry one or two helicopters to attack submarines. Destroyers range in length from about 375 to 560 feet (115 to 170 meters). They can reach speeds of 30 to 33 knots.

Frigates are used primarily to defend amphibious ships and merchant ships against enemy submarines. Frigates carry torpedoes, nuclear depth charges, and other antisubmarine weapons. They also have a helicopter for locating and attacking submarines. In addition, most of these warships carry missiles and one or two guns for defense against air and surface attacks. Modern frigates measure up to 445 feet (135 meters) long. They travel at speeds of 27 to 30 knots.

Some navies have small frigates called corvettes to patrol coastal waters. Corvettes measure about 150 feet (45 meters) long. The U.S. Navy does not use corvettes.

Submarines search out and attack enemy submarines and surface ships. Some can also fire missiles at enemy cities and military bases. Modern submarines have nuclear power systems that enable them to remain underwater for months at a time. The U.S. Navy has two principal kinds of submarines, attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines.

Attack submarines have large sonars for detecting submarines and surface ships from long distances. They carry torpedoes that are fired from tubes inside the hull. In addition, these tubes carry mines that are laid off an enemy coast. Antiship missiles can be fired from torpedo tubes or, on some submarines, from a special launching tube. Attack submarines range in length from about 250 to 360 feet (75 to 110 meters). Some can travel underwater at speeds of more than 30 knots.

Ballistic missile submarines carry long-range missiles that can hit targets up to 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) away. These submarines are designed chiefly to attack enemy cities. They also carry torpedoes for defense against enemy surface ships and submarines. Ballistic missile submarines measure from about 380 to 550 feet (115 to 170 meters) long. They reach speeds of more than 20 knots underwater.

Small combatants include such ships as mine-sweepers, missile boats, and patrol boats. Minesweepers locate and remove underwater explosives. Missile boats carry guided missiles that can attack enemy surface ships from 1 to 60 miles (15 to 95 kilometers) away. Patrol boats guard rivers and coastal waters.

Small combatants are generally operated near coasts. The U.S. Navy has few of these ships because it conducts chiefly long-range ocean operations.