Navy

Types of naval warfare

This preliminary list includes both techniques (e.g., anti-air warfare) and overall missions (e.g., sea control}}

Amphibious warfare [r]: Add brief definition or description
Anti-air warfare [r]: Add brief definition or description
Anti-surface warfare [r]: Add brief definition or description
Anti-submarine warfare [r]: Add brief definition or description
Ballistic missile defense [r]: Add brief definition or description
Close air support [r]: Weapons delivered, by aircraft, in close proximity to friendly forces that are in contact with enemy forces; direct support of ground combat requiring extreme care to avoid fratricide ^[e]
Combat search and rescue [r]: Add brief definition or description
Land attack [r]: A range of technologies and techniques used to attack targets on land from the sea; the targets are usually assumed to be well inland, and the weapons to be non-nuclear ^[e]
Mine warfare [r]: An area of military technology and doctrine, which deals with the development, use of, defense against, and removal of land mines, improvised explosive devices, and sea mines. These devices are characterized by being distributed prior to the presence of an adversary; the mines trigger either by sensing the enemy, or by command from friendly forces. ^[e]
Power projection [r]: The capability to deploy military forces, even if limited to air and special operations, on short notice over intercontinental ranges ^[e]
Sea control [r]: "The employment of naval forces, supported by land and air forces as appropriate, in order to achieve military objectives in vital sea areas. Such operations include destruction of enemy naval forces, suppression of enemy sea commerce, protection of vital sea lanes, and establishment of local military superiority in areas of naval operations." (U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff) ^[e]

Types of naval vessel (modern)

"Modern" is assumed to be from the beginning of the 20th century; some types, such as battleships, are no longer part of current navies and unlikely to return

Combatant

Aircraft carrier [r]: A warship designed to launch and recover combat aircraft and aircraft that support military operations ^[e]
Battleship [r]: A heavily-armored, warship optimized for fighting other warships using large-caliber guns; certain armor requirements differentiated from cruisers; obsolete by end of World War II. ^[e]
Cruiser [r]: While definitions vary with time and doctrine, a large warship capable of acting independently, as a flagship, or a major escort; capabilities include anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, land attack, and possibly ballistic missile defense ^[e]
Destroyer [r]: Add brief definition or description
Fast attack craft [r]: Add brief definition or description
Ocean escort [r]: Add brief definition or description

Amphibious warfare

Some types listed may overlap; a given vessel type might have both a helicopter flight deck and a (dock) well deck

Support

Types of naval vessel (premodern)

Major navies or equivalent

Navy

Contents

Types of naval warfare

Types of naval vessel (modern)

Combatant

Amphibious warfare

Support

Types of naval vessel (premodern)

Major navies or equivalent

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Navy

Types of naval warfare

Types of naval vessel (modern)

Combatant

Amphibious warfare

Support

Types of naval vessel (premodern)

Major navies or equivalent

Navigation menu

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