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There may be other ships that travel with the group. The supply ship carries fuel, food and ammunition for the group. The submarines are defensive ships that can attack enemy ships and submarines. Guided-missile frigate USS Klakring on its way to the Pacific Phase of Exercise Unitas 43-02 ( click here for information about Exercise Unitas) Guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, during Operation Enduring Freedom Guided-missile frigate USS Talbot launching a target drone during a training exercise off the coast of Chile The frigate is used for anti-submarine defense. Churchill launching a Tomahawk Missile during Operation Iraqi Freedom Destroyers now also come equipped with the ability to launch cruise missiles. They can defend against attacks by submarines and aircraft ( Nav Facts: Destroyers/a> provides a very nice description of the evolution of destroyers). These are offensive ships loaded with cruise missiles to strike land targetsĭestroyers traditionally are defensive ships. However, a typical carrier battle group consists of the following ships:Īircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk launching a radar-guided, air-to-air missile during a live-fire exercise Therefore, no two carrier battle groups are the same. Navy forms carrier battle groups on an as-needed basis and assigns ships to the group based on the mission.
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The carrier battle group is responsible, therefore, for protecting the aircraft carrier at the center of the group.
#Cv 6 battle group plus#
The aircraft carrier plus the flotilla is known as the carrier battle group. They are always escorted by an extensive flotilla of other ships. That's why aircraft carriers never leave home alone. And without protection, an aircraft carrier is extremely vulnerable. In other words, an aircraft carrier is extremely valuable. Nimitz battle group - USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal, and nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis - in the North Persian Gulf during Operation Southern Watch. Photo courtesy Department of Defense - Defense Visual Information Center
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Plus, it is carrying a small town's worth of people as well as a billion dollars in aircraft. What this means is that an aircraft carrier is worth between $4 billion and $5 billion - it is a substantial investment by itself.
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