The history of the development of mankind is characterized by a constant confrontation between different states in different areas, including in the field of shipbuilding. At the same time, impressive examples of marine vessels are created. Currently, the undisputed leadership in this area belongs to the United States.
Ships in the service of the Navy of the countries of the world differ in various characteristics, the main of which are:
- destination;
- size;
- power.
Nimitz aircraft carrier
At present, the most powerful warships in the world include aircraft carriers built in the United States. The largest surface ship is the aircraft carrier of the Nimitz project. The first one was built in the early 1970s. Its displacement is over 100,000 tons. Length - 333 m. Propulsion systems can provide 260,000 horsepower. At the same time, it develops a speed of 31 knots. The crew of the aircraft carrier is almost 3,200 people.
The United States built 10 ships according tothis project. The series is named after Chester Nimitz, who commanded the US Pacific Fleet during World War II.
The aircraft carrier of this project is a smooth-deck ship with a corner runway, with an area of 18,000 square meters. This most powerful ship in the world has surface and underwater structural protection. So, the second bottom is protected by armored decking. There is also the so-called third bottom, which creates additional stability for the aircraft carrier. The main propulsion system is 2 nuclear reactors and 4 turbine units.
Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are identical in their design features, but the latter 6 have larger displacement and draft. The operation of nuclear reactors is designed for recharging only after 20 years. The main armament is naval aviation.
The Nimitz aircraft carrier is without a doubt one of the top 10 most powerful warships in the world. The latter, named after George W. Bush, was handed over to the US Navy in early January 2009.
Trimaran Independence
Specialists state that the most powerful warship in the world, in terms of speed characteristics, is Independence. It is also considered the most unusual warship. It was created according to the trimaran scheme.
US plans to put more than 50 ships of this class on combat duty by the mid-thirties of the 21st century. In this case, they will be of 2 types. One small with a displacement of up to 1000 tons. The second large one with a displacement of 2500-3000 tons. Currently, only one ship has been built, whichentered the US Navy in early 2010. Its displacement is almost 2800 tons. Length about 128 m. Cruising speed - 44 knots. Crew - 40 people.
The design solutions incorporated in this warship are designed to ensure maximum speed. Its hull is designed by a company that has successfully tested a similar hull on civilian ships.
Independence is designed for combat operations in the coastal zone. It has speed characteristics that allow it to reach a maximum speed of 50 knots. It can carry out its combat use with sea waves of 5 points. This corresponds to wave heights up to 4 meters.
Peter the Great
The most powerful ship in the world, from the category of non-aircraft carriers, is the representative of the project 1114 "Orlan" - the nuclear cruiser "Peter the Great".
The first ship from this series was handed over to the Soviet Navy in 1980 and had the name "Kirov". It was planned to build 5 ships of this type. However, only one is currently in service. 3 heavy nuclear cruisers of this project, according to open sources, are under modernization. The last one could not be laid due to the collapse of the USSR.
"Peter the Great" as part of groups of ships must carry out combat missions to destroy aircraft carriers. Its displacement is 24,000 tons. The length of the ship is 250 meters. 2 nuclear reactors provide a ship speed of 32 knots. Unlimited cruising range (when used as power reactors). There are two on the cruiseroil steam boilers, which can provide it with autonomy for 60 days. Crew 1100 people.
The main armament of the cruiser is the Granit missile systems capable of hitting targets at a distance of more than 500 km.
Ticonderoga-class cruiser
The US Navy's Ticonderoga project ships are recognized as the most powerful ships in the world from the family of medium class missile cruisers. The first was launched in 1980. The standard displacement is just over 2,700 tons. The length of the ship is 170 m. The speed of 32 knots is provided by four gas turbine units.
The cruising range of cruisers of this class with an economic course is 6,000 miles. The crew of the ship - 380 people.
Cruisers of the Ticonderoga project are recognized as the most dangerous for the enemy. Able to continue combat operations when the enemy uses weapons of mass destruction. Can fight with sea waves of 7 points.
Cruisers of this type have 122 launchers for Tomahawk missiles as their main armament. In total, 27 ships of this project were produced in the USA. Five of which have already been decommissioned. By the beginning of the thirties of the XXI century, it is planned to completely replace them with new ones.
Bismarck Battleship
The Bismarck battleship (battleship) is considered the most powerful warship of World War II. It was adopted by the German Navy in 1939. Its total displacement is almost 51,000 tons. The length of the battleship is 251 m. The power of the course was more than 150000 horsepower. Could maintain a cruising speed of 30 knots. The crew of the battleship "Bismarck" consisted of 2100 people. Despite the fact that it was inferior in size to the battleships "Iowa" of the USA and "Yamato" (Japan), it was considered the most advanced and powerful ship of the Second World War.
It was distinguished by strong armament, which included eight 380-millimeter cannons, which made it possible to outperform any other ship of the same class. However, the first military campaign ended tragically for the ship. It was sunk by vastly superior forces of the anti-Hitler coalition. But before that, Bismarck destroyed the battleship Hood, the flagship of the British Navy.
Iowa
The most powerful ship in the world from the family of battleships, in terms of its dimensions, was the American ship of the Iowa project. The first one was built in 1942. The displacement was inferior to the Bismarck and was equal to 45,000 tons. However, he surpassed him in length. It was over 270 meters. Cruising speed - 33 knots. Crew of more than 2600 people.
Before the construction of nuclear aircraft carriers, ships of this class were the largest. Their creators managed to successfully combine in them navigable qualities, means of protection and weapons. Four ships of this type were produced. The last one was retired in 1990.
These battleships took part in battles on the ocean expanses in World War II. Participated in support of US troops and their allies in Korea and Vietnam. Afterthe Harpoon and Tomahawk anti-ship systems were added to the main guns of 406 mm caliber, the total power of the battleships increased significantly.
Destroyer Daring
The British Type 45 Daring class destroyer is recognized as the most advanced warship.
These warships carry out tasks to ensure air defense of ship groups in their zone of action. Modern electronic systems effectively coordinate aviation actions in the coastal line. The cruising range of the destroyer Daring is over 5,000 nautical miles. This allows it to be an air defense coordination site almost anywhere in the world.
The first ship was commissioned in 2006. Displacement 8100 tons. The length of the vessel is 152 meters. Cruising speed over 29 knots. Crew of about 200 people.
UAV Protector
The most powerful ship in the world in the class of unmanned warships is the Israeli Protector. Introduced into the Israeli Navy in 2007. Its length is small - only 9 m. However, the speed is impressive - more than 50 knots.
The main task of the unmanned ship is to patrol coastal areas and perform reconnaissance missions in situations where personnel are in high danger of being seen and destroyed.
Its armament is concentrated on a special weapon platform, wheremixed-caliber machine guns and an automatic grenade launcher.
Seawolf submarine
The most powerful ship in the world military, underwater, not carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles is recognized as the American submarine USS Seawolf (translated into Russian Sea Wolf).
She is also known for being not only the most expensive submarine, but also the quietest. The first became part of the US Navy in July 1997. Maximum noiselessness is achieved at a submerged speed of about 20 knots. Maximum diving depth - 610 m.
The crew of the submarine - 126 people. Underwater displacement 9130 tons. The length of the submarine is 107 meters. Equipped with a power plant, which is a nuclear reactor with a capacity of 45,000 horsepower.
The main weapons are Harpoon and Tomahawk missiles, which are launched from torpedo tubes. About 50 of them are being loaded on board.
Initially, the US intended to build 30 submarines of this project. However, only 3 of them have been commissioned into the fleet. Moreover, for the first time, a water jet engine was used on a submarine, which significantly reduces the noise of a submarine.
Nuclear submarine "Dmitry Donskoy"
The largest submarine, but not the most powerful ship in the world, is the nuclear-powered missile cruiser "Dmitry Donskoy", made according to the project 941 "Shark". It is currently equipped with 20 ballisticnuclear missiles "Bulava".
The maximum depth of a missile carrier is 400 m. The underwater speed is about 27 knots. Underwater displacement 48,000 tons. Crew 165 people. The movement is provided by 2 nuclear water-cooled reactors, as well as four steam turbine plants. In addition to strategic missiles, it is armed with torpedoes and rocket-torpedoes.
To date, the Navy of the Russian Navy has only one ship of this project - "Dmitry Donskoy". The rest have been decommissioned. The construction of submarines of this series has been discontinued.
This boat is also distinguished by the fact that it is the most powerful ship in the world among underwater ones in terms of noise level. American sailors and submariners sarcastically named her the Roaring Cow.
Ohio
Without a doubt, the most powerful ships in the world in terms of firepower are US Ohio-class submarines. These ships entered service with the country in the period from 1981 to 1997. They are the main component of the country's offensive nuclear forces. Constantly 60% of them are on combat patrols.
A total of 18 submarines from this series were built. 14 of them are equipped with Trident ballistic missiles. There are 24 of them on each submarine. The remaining 4 submarines have been converted into carriers of cruise missiles, which each submarine can carry more than 150 pieces.
The Ohio's underwater speed is 25 knots. Maximum diving depth 550 m. Crew - 160Human. Underwater replacement of more than 18,000 tons. Length - 177 m. Propulsion is provided by a nuclear water-cooled reactor, two turbines with a capacity of 30,000 horsepower each, 2 turbo generators, a diesel generator, and a backup propeller motor.
Sailboat "Santisima-Trinidad"
In the category of the most powerful sailing warships in the world, the undisputed leader is the Spanish deck battleship "Santisima-Trinidad", which means the Holy Trinity. It was built and launched in 1769. Its body is wooden, made of mahogany, taken from Cuba. Mexican pine masts. The total armament of this largest sailing ship is 140 guns. Crew of almost 1200 people.
However, it was not only the largest, but probably the most clumsy sailing ship. Why he was nicknamed the heavyweight.
The last battle in which the Holy Trinity participated took place in October 1805 (Cape Trafalgar, the Atlantic coast of Spain). It was the decisive battle of the Napoleonic Wars. In the naval duel, the Santisima-Trinidad was opposed by 7 battleships of England. As a result of the exchange of blows, the Spanish ship received significant damage and was captured. An attempt to tow it to England for repairs ended unsuccessfully, the ship sank during a storm.
At present, the leading world powers do not stop working on the design and creation of ever more advanced sea vessels. As a result, it is possible to expect thatIn the near future, the world will see powerful new warships.
