Volume 5 The Navy of the Nuclear Age 1947-2007
Ordering Information

     The Post-War Navy 1946-2002 Following the end of World War II, the Navy disposed of all its ships built prior to 1940 and almost all the merchant ships acquired during the war. In 1946 the Navy was composed of new ships with a considerable number completed in 1945 and 1946. A large number of amphibious vessels complemented the wide variety of auxiliaries.

     New developments included the atomic tests at Bikini in 1946 and the development of submarines and anti-submarine warfare. The gradual decline of the Navy was stopped with the Korean War in 1950, during which several ships were sunk or damaged.

     New types of ships were developed including the first nuclear-powered submarines and surface warships. Large super-carriers were built culminating in the nuclear-powered Enterprise. The development of intercontinental ballistic missiles led to the construction of special submarines to fire these missiles, which were a vital component of the defense of the country.

     The Vietnam War eventually involved almost every ship in the active Navy. Meanwhile the Cold War led to continuing confrontations involving US and Soviet ships in collisions, spying incidents and similar activities.

     Since the Cold War ended the Navy has been active in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, taking part in two wars and other operations.   Despite many cutbacks in ships in commission, development of new types and weapons continues. This book will cover all these types and weapons and the historical incidents of the period giving the usual details and ships' histories in the same format as the previous volumes.

USS Newport News (CA 148)

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