Jump to content

Naval fleet: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
m Purpose: Clean up/General fixes, typo(s) fixed: ’s → 's
copyedit - fixed links removed made up prefixes, reorganized templates as the commons link cannot be in its own section
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Largest naval formation of warships controlled by a single leader}}
{{Short description|Largest naval formation of warships controlled by a single leader}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2016}}
[[Image:Fleet 5 nations.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet, during ''[[Operation Enduring Freedom]]'' in the Oman Sea. In four descending columns, from left to right: [[Maestrale class frigate|ITS ''Maestrale'']] (F 570), [[FS De Grasse|FS ''De Grasse'']] (D 612); [[USS John C. Stennis|USS ''John C. Stennis'']] (CVN 74), [[FS Charles de Gaulle|FS ''Charles De Gaulle'']] (R 91), [[Surcouf (F711)|FS ''Surcouf'']] (F 711); [[USS Port Royal (CG-73)|USS ''Port Royal'']] (CG-73), [[HMS Ocean (L12)|HMS ''Ocean'']] (L 12), [[USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67)|USS ''John F. Kennedy'']] (CV 67), [[Hr. Ms. Van Amstel|HNLMS ''Van Amstel'']] (F 831); and [[Durand De la Penne class destroyer|ITS ''Luigi Durand de la Penne'']] (D 560).]]
[[Image:Fleet 5 nations.jpg|thumb|right|300px|A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet, during [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in the Oman Sea. In four descending columns, from left to right: {{ship|Italian frigate|Maestrale|F 570|2}}, {{ship|French frigate|De Grasse|D 612|2}}; {{USS|John C. Stennis}}, {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle||2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Surcouf||2}}; {{USS|Port Royal|CG-73|6}}, {{HMS|Ocean|L12|6}}, {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}}, {{HNLMS|Van Amstel|F831|6}} ; and {{ship|Italian destroyer|Luigi Durand de la Penne||2}}]]
{{Naval units}}


A '''fleet''' or '''naval fleet''' is a large [[formation (military)|formation]] of [[warships]] – the largest formation in any [[navy]] – controlled by one leader.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fleet|title=Definition of FLEET|website=www.merriam-webster.com|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> A fleet at [[sea]] is the direct equivalent of an [[Field army|army]] on land.
A '''fleet''' or '''naval fleet''' is a large [[formation (military)|formation]] of [[warship]]s – the largest formation in any [[navy]] – controlled by one leader.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fleet|title=Definition of FLEET|website=www.merriam-webster.com|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> A fleet at [[sea]] is the direct equivalent of an [[Field army|army]] on land.


==Purpose==
==Purpose==
In the modern sense, fleets are usually, but not necessarily, permanent formations and are generally assigned to a particular [[ocean]] or [[sea]]. Most fleets are named after that ocean or sea, but the convention in the [[United States Navy]] is to use numbers.
In the modern sense, fleets are usually, but not necessarily, permanent formations and are generally assigned to a particular [[ocean]] or [[sea]]. Most fleets are named after that ocean or sea, but the convention in the [[United States Navy]] is to use numbers.


A fleet is normally commanded by an [[fleet admiral|admiral]], who is often also a [[commander in chief]], but many fleets have been or are commanded by [[vice admiral]]s or even [[rear admiral]]s. Most fleets are divided into several [[Squadron (naval)|squadrons]], each under a subordinate admiral. Those squadrons in turn are often divided into divisions. In the [[age of sail]], fleets were divided into van, centre and rear squadrons, named after each squadron's place in the [[line of battle]]. In more modern times, the squadrons are typically composed of homogeneous groups of the same class of [[warship]], such as [[battleships]] or [[cruisers]].
A fleet is normally commanded by an [[fleet admiral|admiral]], who is often also a [[commander in chief]], but many fleets have been or are commanded by [[vice admiral]]s or even [[rear admiral]]s. Most fleets are divided into several [[Squadron (naval)|squadrons]], each under a subordinate admiral. Those squadrons in turn are often divided into divisions. In the [[age of sail]], fleets were divided into van, centre and rear squadrons, named after each squadron's place in the [[line of battle]]. In more modern times, the squadrons are typically composed of homogeneous groups of the same class of [[warship]], such as [[battleship]]s or [[cruiser]]s.


Since many smaller [[navy|navies]] contain a single fleet, the term ''the fleet'' is often synonymous with ''the navy''.
Since many smaller [[navy|navies]] contain a single fleet, the term ''the fleet'' is often synonymous with ''the navy''.


Multinational fleets are not uncommon in naval history. For example, several nations made up the [[Holy League (Mediterranean)|Holy League]] [[Battle of Lepanto order of battle|fleet]] at the [[Battle of Lepanto (1571)|Battle of Lepanto]] in 1571, and a Franco-Spanish fleet faced the British Royal Navy at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] in 1805. In modern times, [[NATO]] has formed standing combined fleets and operations from several national navies such as [[Operation Active Endeavour]].
Multinational fleets are not uncommon in naval history. For example, several nations made up the [[Holy League (Mediterranean)|Holy League]] [[Battle of Lepanto order of battle|fleet]] at the [[Battle of Lepanto (1571)|Battle of Lepanto]] in 1571, and a Franco-Spanish fleet faced the British [[Royal Navy]] at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] in 1805. In modern times, [[NATO]] has formed standing combined fleets and operations from several national navies such as [[Operation Active Endeavour]].


==The modern fleet==
==The modern fleet==


Modern fleets combine [[Surface combatant|surface warships]], [[submarines]], support ships and ship-based aircraft to conduct naval operations at sea. Generally understood to be the [[Blue-water navy|blue water]], or oceanic, [[Green-water navy|green water]] or [[littoral]] versus the [[Brown-water navy|brown water]] or coastal/riverine forces. The fleets of larger navies are usually divided into smaller numbered or named fleets based on geographic operating areas or on administrative groupings of same type ships.
Modern fleets combine [[Surface combatant|surface warships]], [[submarine]]s, support ships and ship-based aircraft to conduct naval operations at sea. Generally understood to be the [[Blue-water navy|blue water]], or oceanic, [[Green-water navy|green water]] or [[littoral]] versus the [[Brown-water navy|brown water]] or coastal/riverine forces. The fleets of larger navies are usually divided into smaller numbered or named fleets based on geographic operating areas or on administrative groupings of same type ships.


Modern fleets are usually administrative units. Typically, individual [[task force]]s are formed to conduct specific operations.
Modern fleets are usually administrative units. Typically, individual [[task force]]s are formed to conduct specific operations.
Line 24: Line 25:


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category|Fleets}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Fleets}}

{{Naval units}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}



Revision as of 13:18, 17 June 2022

A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet, during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Oman Sea. In four descending columns, from left to right: Maestrale, De Grasse; USS John C. Stennis, Charles de Gaulle, Surcouf; USS Port Royal, HMS Ocean, USS John F. Kennedy, HNLMS Van Amstel ; and Luigi Durand de la Penne

A fleet or naval fleet is a large formation of warships – the largest formation in any navy – controlled by one leader.[1] A fleet at sea is the direct equivalent of an army on land.

Purpose

In the modern sense, fleets are usually, but not necessarily, permanent formations and are generally assigned to a particular ocean or sea. Most fleets are named after that ocean or sea, but the convention in the United States Navy is to use numbers.

A fleet is normally commanded by an admiral, who is often also a commander in chief, but many fleets have been or are commanded by vice admirals or even rear admirals. Most fleets are divided into several squadrons, each under a subordinate admiral. Those squadrons in turn are often divided into divisions. In the age of sail, fleets were divided into van, centre and rear squadrons, named after each squadron's place in the line of battle. In more modern times, the squadrons are typically composed of homogeneous groups of the same class of warship, such as battleships or cruisers.

Since many smaller navies contain a single fleet, the term the fleet is often synonymous with the navy.

Multinational fleets are not uncommon in naval history. For example, several nations made up the Holy League fleet at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, and a Franco-Spanish fleet faced the British Royal Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. In modern times, NATO has formed standing combined fleets and operations from several national navies such as Operation Active Endeavour.

The modern fleet

Modern fleets combine surface warships, submarines, support ships and ship-based aircraft to conduct naval operations at sea. Generally understood to be the blue water, or oceanic, green water or littoral versus the brown water or coastal/riverine forces. The fleets of larger navies are usually divided into smaller numbered or named fleets based on geographic operating areas or on administrative groupings of same type ships.

Modern fleets are usually administrative units. Typically, individual task forces are formed to conduct specific operations.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Definition of FLEET". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 8 April 2018.