United States navy (USN)
The United States of America independence was declared on July 4, 1776.
About a year before this date the Continental Congress passed a
resolution on October 13, 1775 to create a Continental Navy (CN). With
the end of the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Navy was
disbanded. Under the Presidency of George Washington, merchant shipping
came under threat while in the Mediterranean by Barbary pirates from
four North African States. This led to the Naval Act of 1794, which
created a permanent standing United States Navy (USN) followed by the
forming of a The Department of the Navy a few years later (April 30,
1798). Six frigates were the first official warships that were part of
the navy. John Paul Jones lead the U.S. Navy to its first victory.
The United States Navy Ship prefix and naming
In the US Navy, ships use the following prefixes:
- USS = United States Ship, main prefix used for commissioned warships in active naval service.
- USNS = United states Naval Ship, used for non-commissioned Navy support ships.
- USCGC = United States Coast Guard Cutter, used for coast guard ships.
U.S. Navy Hull Classification Codes:
Aircraft Carriers
CV: Aircraft Carrier (conventional, legacy)
CVA: Attack Aircraft Carrier
CVS: Anti-Submarine Aircraft Carrier
CVE: Escort Carrier (WWII)
CVL: Light Aircraft Carrier
CVB: Large Aircraft Carrier (Midway class)
CVN: Nuclear Aircraft Carrier (current)
Battleships
BB: Battleship
BBG: Guided Missile Battleship (proposed, never built)
Cruisers
CA: Heavy Cruiser
CL: Light Cruiser
CB: Large Cruiser (Alaska class)
CAG: Guided Missile Heavy Cruiser (converted CA)
CLG: Guided Missile Light Cruiser (converted CL; later redesignated CG)
CG: Guided Missile Cruiser (current)
CGN: Nuclear Guided Missile Cruiser (retired)
CS: Scout Cruiser
CC: Battlecruiser (planned but cancelled)
Destroyers & Escorts
DD: Destroyer
DDG: Guided Missile Destroyer (current)
DDR: Radar Picket Destroyer
DDE: Destroyer, Escort Duty (later reclassified)
DE: Destroyer Escort (WWII, later became FF)
DER: Radar Picket Destroyer Escort
Frigates
FF: Frigate
FFG: Guided Missile Frigate (current)
FFGN: Nuclear Frigate (concept only)
Littoral / Patrol
LCS: Littoral Combat Ship
PC: Patrol Coastal
PG: Patrol Gunboat
PT: Patrol Torpedo Boat (WWII)
Submarines
SS: Submarine (general)
SSN: Nuclear Attack Submarine (current)
SSBN: Ballistic Missile Submarine (current)
SSGN: Guided Missile Submarine (converted Ohio class)
SSC: Coastal Submarine (retired concept)
Amphibious Warfare
LHA: Amphibious Assault Ship
LHD: Amphibious Assault Ship (with well deck)
LPH: Amphibious Assault Ship (helicopter)
LPD: Amphibious Transport Dock
LSD: Dock Landing Ship
LST: Tank Landing Ship (WWII, Vietnam)
LCC: Amphibious Command Ship
LKA: Amphibious Cargo Ship (retired)
Mine Warfare
MCM: Mine Countermeasures Ship
MSO: Minesweeper, Ocean
MSC: Minesweeper, Coastal
AM: Minesweeper (WWII)
Support & Auxiliary
T-AO: Fleet Oiler
T-AOE: Fast Combat Support Ship
T-AKE: Dry Cargo / Ammunition Ship
T-AH: Hospital Ship
T-AGS: Survey Ship
T-ARC: Cable Repair Ship
T-ATF: Fleet Tug
T-EPF: Expeditionary Fast Transport
T-ESB: Expeditionary Sea Base
T-ESD: Expeditionary Transfer Dock
T-AVB: Aviation Logistics Support Ship
T-AGM: Missile Range Instrumentation Ship
T-AGOS: Ocean Surveillance Ship