What are the different types of warships? | World Defense

What are the different types of warships?

UnslaadKrosis

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It's a simple question, really. What are the different classes of warships according to their role? (As we know, a Destroyer has an entirely different part to play in naval warfare than an aircraft carrier). And how would (if you would) rank them according to their capability, versatility and overall destructive potential in a naval battle?
 

UAE

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There were many types of naval units before WWII but all them were put to retirement after the war ended as new technology came in and formed multirole naval vessels and we left with:
  • Aircraft carrier> has to escorted by corvettes and other units
  • Destroyer
  • Cruiser
  • Frigate
  • Corvette
  • Submarine
  • Fast boat Patrol/Assault craft.
  • Minesweeper
 

ipm_zipedia

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There were many types of naval units before WWII but all them were put to retirement after the war ended as new technology came in and formed multirole naval vessels and we left with:
  • Aircraft carrier> has to escorted by corvettes and other units
  • Destroyer
  • Cruiser
  • Frigate
  • Corvette
  • Submarine
  • Fast boat Patrol/Assault craft.
  • Minesweeper
You forgot some of the vintage roles, like the Battleship. Although, the battleships were rendered irrelevant and right now Destroyers are the most advanced of their time. You can still visit the Battleship Iowa on the California coast which I did last year, and it was turned into an exhibit. I had a really nice WW2 vet there that I shook hands with and he showed me around. It was pretty interesting because it was loaded with Tomahawk missiles and the Phallanx gattling guns for whatever reason, maybe it was still around if it was ever needed for commission if another World War broke out.
 

UAE

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You forgot some of the vintage roles, like the Battleship. Although, the battleships were rendered irrelevant and right now Destroyers are the most advanced of their time. You can still visit the Battleship Iowa on the California coast which I did last year, and it was turned into an exhibit. I had a really nice WW2 vet there that I shook hands with and he showed me around. It was pretty interesting because it was loaded with Tomahawk missiles and the Phallanx gattling guns for whatever reason, maybe it was still around if it was ever needed for commission if another World War broke out.

What you are referring to is something to remember and can't be forgotten no doubt about that. I think what the OP is referring to is the current modern naval units that are being used in the our today's world.
 

ipm_zipedia

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What you are referring to is something to remember and can't be forgotten no doubt about that. I think what the OP is referring to is the current modern naval units that are being used in the our today's world.
The preserved "outdated" ships are still kept for auxiliary purposes. So, technically, they still would be used in today's world.
 

fcuco

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If you want to get technical, those designations have more to do with the role the ship is fulfilling, not the actual firepower or versatility that they possess. Naturally you have very obvious things like an aircraft carrier but a "cruiser" is a more nuanced term. It refers to any warship that could operate on independent missions. A frigate could act as cruiser and often did in the age of sail, and ships designated as cruisers varied in size from pocket cruisers to huge battle-cruisers.

In theory a cruiser should rank above a destroyer, usually a destroyer would fulfill the role of escorting convoys or protecting larger ships, not act independently.
 

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The differences are mainly in terms of mission capabilities. Cruisers perform against air, surface and maritime threats. Destroyers and Frigates have limited capability and different missions when compare to cruisers.
 

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The preserved "outdated" ships are still kept for auxiliary purposes. So, technically, they still would be used in today's world.

Not used a force. They are all put retirement and no way they can be put back to service at all and the reason that there was no upgrade done to them. They will be training targets for the enemy if they were to be operated and easy to kill. The U.S navy doesn't need to bring them back either.
 

ipm_zipedia

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Not used a force. They are all put retirement and no way they can be put back to service at all and the reason that there was no upgrade done to them. They will be training targets for the enemy if they were to be operated and easy to kill. The U.S navy doesn't need to bring them back either.
You are hilariously incorrect. I've been to the USS Iowa in person and it's much faster than people give it credit for. Since World War 2 it's been mounted with improved engines, a new hull, some Phalanx miniguns and a bunch of cruise missiles. If the Navy wants to use it again, they sure as hell can and they have the opportunity and resources to make it happen.
 

Scorpion

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You are hilariously incorrect. I've been to the USS Iowa in person and it's much faster than people give it credit for. Since World War 2 it's been mounted with improved engines, a new hull, some Phalanx miniguns and a bunch of cruise missiles. If the Navy wants to use it again, they sure as hell can and they have the opportunity and resources to make it happen.

I agree that if the navy wants to use they would no doubt but will they want to use it is the question and the answer is no. Why? Because the U.S navy already operates far superior platforms.
 

ipm_zipedia

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I agree that if the navy wants to use they would no doubt but will they want to use it is the question and the answer is no. Why? Because the U.S navy already operates far superior platforms.
Like I said, for auxiliary purposes. It's not necessarily the most advanced warship compared to our modern Destroyers, but it's got it's uses. Imagine lining it up sideways on a beach and pointing all the guns port side to the land and just shelling the hell out of it with a combined attack, it would be extremely useful in certain situations where mobile artillery is needed. Bunker busters, you get the idea.
 

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The differences are mainly in terms of mission capabilities. Cruisers perform against air, surface and maritime threats. Destroyers and Frigates have limited capability and different missions when compare to cruisers.


There is not much difference between them sometimes. Most of the destroyers today are 7000~10000 tons, with some even larger ones like the DDG-1000 at 14,000 tons. They can be classified as cruisers if you want to. Most of the weapon systems are also the same, and even their missions are the same for the most part.
 
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