The Naval Institute Guide To The Ships And Aircraft Of The U.S. Fleet

The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet

For decades this comprehensive and authoritative guide has served the needs of naval officers, military analysts, congressional staffs, journalists, defense contractors, and others with an interest in the current capabilities of the U.S. Navy. The author, internationally respected naval analyst Norman Polmar, shares expertise gained from years of service as a consultant to members of Congress, secretaries of the navy, and senior naval officers. With this updated edition he reinforces a reputation of reliable excellence by accurately cataloging and updating the assets of the U.S. Navy as they exist today and by assessing the various trends that portend the navy of tomorrow. Among the many changes incorporated into this new edition are updates on the joint strike fighter (JSF), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), the advanced swimmer delivery system (ASDS), the electric-drive DD21, and proposed conversions of Trident strategic missile submarines to land-attack missile and SEAL delivery capabilities. Also included is what may be termed a eulogy for the arsenal ship concept, with an acknowledgement that it could be resurrected if the political environment changes. From the details of the latest reorganization of the defense and navy departments to an enlightening discussion of the streetfighter concept, this is "must have" information for all who watch, serve, assess, or just care about the American navy. Bulging with data, photographs, line-drawings, and useful appendixes, this invaluable guide carries on a long-standing tradition as the most comprehensive resource of its kind, meeting the high expectations and exacting standards of those who rely on it to stay informed and to make important decisions.