Definitions of Vessel Types

VESSEL TYPE DEFINITIONS

Aircraft Carriers

Amphibious Craft

Amphibious Ships

Auxiliaries

Cruiser Corvettes (FS)

Destroyers (DD or DDG)

Fast Attack Craft (FAC, PTG, PCG)

Frigates (FF or FFG)

Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMV)

Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV)

Patrol Vessels

Submarines

 

 

Aircraft Carriers

Aircraft carriers are medium to large sized ships that exist to carry and operate combat aircraft, both fixed-wing and rotary. A number of amphibious ships also carry and operate aircraft, but they do so primarily to support amphibious operations. This category of vessel type will include the following three types of aircraft carriers in operation with world navies:

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Submarines

Submarines are extremely popular with world navies and this category of vessel type will include the following four general types:

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Cruisers (CG)

A cruiser is the largest type of surface combatant currently in-service or planned for service in world navies.A cruiser generally displaces over 10,000 tons, and is fully capable of a wide-range of independent warfare operations in a multi-threat environment.

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Destroyers (DD or DDG)

A destroyer is smaller, and less capable than a cruiser, but is also capable of operating independently in a high-threat environment. Destroyers have steadily grown in size (now 5,000 to 10,000 tons), expense (nearly US$700 million apiece) and capability. Generally, a destroyer is considered to be a ship that has all of the sensors (including a sophisticated phased-array radar), combat systems, and weapons needed to operate in a high-threat environment. A number of world navies are currently building ships that, while called frigates, more accurately represent destroyers in size and capability. Examples include the Spanish F-100, the German F-124, and the Dutch De Zeven Provincien classes (all are highly capable ships displacing over 5,000 tons and carrying phased-array radars).

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Frigates (FF or FFG)

A frigate is a medium-sized surface combatant (between 2,000 and 5,000 tons) that is either suited for one specific role (anti-submarine warfare or anti-air warfare), or has lesser all-around capabilities than a destroyer. A frigate may be less capable than a destroyer, but is still a relatively sophisticated and expensive (averaging around US$325 million apiece) platform. A frigate is generally the smallest surface combatant that can conduct extended blue-water missions in a high-threat environment.

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Corvettes (FS)

Corvettes are fast (around 25 knots or better), well-armed ships that displace between 700 and 2000 tons. A corvette is generally not intended for extended ocean-going operations, and is best suited for regional operations. Corvettes are generally the smallest platforms capable of accommodating the sensors, weapons, and combat systems needed to operate in a medium threat environment. Corvettes are sometimes referred to as light frigates (FFLs). It can be assumed that the hull design for a corvette and that of an offshore patrol vessel are very similar. The differences will be in propulsion and outfitting. Corvettes will have higher speed and therefore less endurance and range than OPV, much greater armament, and less space for provisions and habitability.

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Fast Attack Craft (FAC, also referred to as PTGs or PCGs)

FACs are small (under 700 tons), fast (over 25 knots) vessels that are intended for quick, hit-and-run strike operations within 100 miles of the coast. FACs are primarily armed for a limited anti-surface warfare (ASUW) mission. They may bristle with a number of guns, torpedoes, and surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) and thus present a credible threat to surface ships. However, a FAC lacks the range, seakeeping qualities and defensive systems needed to operate independently for any extended length of time in a high or medium-threat environment. FACs are generally employed by nations that plan to operate them close to shore, or in the shelter of archipelagoes (e.g. the Aegean, Norwegian fjords, or the South China Sea). Generally, FAC hulls are thin and made of aluminum or steel. Because of their thin hulls, modifications are more difficult to make and life expectancy is reduced.

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Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV)

In response to a number of environmental and economic concerns, world navies and/or coast guards developed a type of patrol vessel, the OPV, which is capable of patrolling the waters of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for extended lengths of time. By virtue of its mission, an OPV must be relatively large (generally over 700 tons) to possess the necessary range and seakeeping characteristics needed for extended offshore patrols. The higher in latitude a Navy operates (North or South of the Equator), the larger the wave heights and therefore the larger an OPV will be. For example India operates in waters that are known for very rough conditions. Some Indian OPVs are beyond 2,000 tons displacement. An OPV is often built to commercial standards and is slower (generally around 20 knots) than its corvette and frigate cousins. However, some nations will build OPVs with space and weight margins for future weapons upgrades. These types of OPVs will generally be built to naval standards including hull and equipment shock requirements. An OPV is generally lightly armed (a medium-sized gun), but is sometimes fitted to carry surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) or ASW equipment in wartime. Most new construction OPVs are also equipped with a helicopter deck and hangar to enhance its patrol capabilities. It can be assumed that the hull design for a corvette and that of an offshore patrol vessel are very similar. The differences will be in propulsion and outfitting for each application. Offshore patrol vessels will have slower speed, less armament, and greater space for provisions and habitability thereby allowing for greater endurance and range. :p>

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Patrol Vessels

This vessel type category will include the following patrol vessel types:

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Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMV)

An MCMV is any vessel designed to locate and neutralize naval mines. A number of ship types fall within the MCMV category:

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Amphibious Ships

Amphibious ships are ocean-going vessels that are capable of conducting amphibious operations with either embarked aircraft or amphibious landing craft. There are a number of ship types that fall within the larger category of amphibious ships:

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Amphibious Craft

Amphibious craft are far smaller than amphibious ships, usually under 1000 tons, and are designed to beach and discharge their cargo via a bow ramp. An amphibious craft is not an ocean-going vessel, and is frequently carried in a larger amphibious ship. These types of vessels are made of steel and are easily repaired and maintained for years. Propulsion and control systems are generally the only elements that need overhaul or upgrading A wide variety of small amphibious vessels fall within the category of amphibious craft:

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Auxiliaries

The Auxiliary category covers a large number of ships and small craft of various types that support naval operations. To limit the problem to a manageable scope, AMI focuses on larger ships (over 1000 tons) that are capable of ocean going operations. Some of the Auxiliary ship types that AMI covers include:

 

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