The US Navy is not the largest navy in the world, but it is the most powerful. The ocean covers over 70% of the earth, and ships can reach areas that land-based soldiers can’t. Heavily armed warships can travel quickly across the globe and without much notice. Many of the Navy’s current ships were introduced over 50 years ago, although the Navy does have a number of newer warships and submarines. The newest naval ship, the USS Massachusetts (SSN-798), is a nuclear-powered Virginia-class attack submarine with diving capabilities of over 800 feet. (This nation has the largest navy in the world.)

To determine the U.S. Navy’s newest warships, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the military data site World Directory of Modern Military Warships’ directory of all active ships in the U.S. and cross-referenced with data from the Naval Vessel Register. We compiled data on all ships and submarines — 30 in total — that have been commissioned in the service of the U.S. Navy for five years or less and ranked them by age. It should be noted that this list is current as of February 2024.

The US Navy continually strives to update its fleet to the most technologically advanced ships. Currently, the Navy has plans to introduce a new line of aircraft carriers in replacement of the currently used, but aging, Nimitz-class. Some ships and submarines have recently entered service, including the Viginia-class and Arleigh Burke-class.

The Nimitz-class carriers, the centerpiece ships of the Navy, are showing their age. Many are 30 years and older, and the US has begun replacing them with the newer Ford-class supercarriers. The newest is the Gerald R. Ford which entered service in 2017. The Navy plans on replacing the Nimitz carriers on a one-for-one basis with Ford-class carriers as they slowly age out.

Currently, the U.S. Navy is composed of destroyers, which account for about 30% of its naval fleet. Submarines come in a close second, making up about a quarter of the fleet. Beyond this, a fleet of cruisers followed by littoral combat ships and amphibious assault support ships accounts for the rest of the naval vessels. (These are the U.S. Navy’s oldest ships and submarines.)

Why Are We Writing About America’s Navy?

 

The US Navy plays a critical role in the national security of the country. A strong maritime power projects strength across the globe and helps to maintain stability. However, having a formidable Navy comes with a high price tag. The Navy is the second highest military spender after the Air Force, receiving funding of $202.6 billion in 2023.

Here is a look at the 30 newest ships to enter the U.S. Navy:

30. USS Cincinnati (LCS-20)

• Commission date: October 5, 2019
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Independence-class

29. USS Indianapolis (LCS-17)

• Commission date: October 26, 2019
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Freedom-class

28. USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4)

• Commission date: March 7, 2020
• Unit type: Expeditionary mobile base
• Class: Lewis B. Puller-class

27. USS Delaware (SSN-791)

• Commission date: April 4, 2020
• Unit type: Attack submarine
• Class: Virginia-class

26. USS Vermont (SSN-792)

• Commission date: April 18, 2020
• Unit type: Attack submarine
• Class: Virginia-class

25. USS Kansas City (LCS-22)

• Commission date: June 20, 2020
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Independence-class

24. USS Tripoli (LHA-7)

• Commission date: July 15, 2020
• Unit type: Amphibious assault ship
• Class: America-class

23. USS St. Louis (LCS-19)

• Commission date: August 8, 2020
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Freedom-class

22. USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119)

• Commission date: September 26, 2020
• Unit type: Destroyer
• Class: Arleigh Burke-class

21. USS Oakland (LCS-24)

• Commission date: April 17, 2021
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Independence-class

20. USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5)

• Commission date: May 8, 2021
• Unit type: Expeditionary mobile base
• Class: Lewis B. Puller-class

19. USS Mobile (LCS-26)

• Commission date: May 22, 2021
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Independence-class

18. USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118)

• Commission date: December 8, 2021
• Unit type: Destroyer
• Class: Arleigh Burke-class

17. USS Savannah (LCS-28)

• Commission date: February 5, 2022
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Independence-class

16. USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121)

• Commission date: May 14, 2022
• Unit type: Destroyer
• Class: Arleigh Burke-class

15. USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS-21)

• Commission date: May 21, 2022
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Freedom-class

14. USS Oregon (SSN-793)

• Commission date: May 28, 2022
• Unit type: Attack submarine
• Class: Virginia-class

13. USS Montana (SSN-794)

• Commission date: June 25, 2022
• Unit type: Attack submarine
• Class: Virginia-class

12. USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28)

• Commission date: July 30, 2022
• Unit type: Amphibious transport dock
• Class: San Antonio-class

11. USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32)

• Commission date: April 1, 2023
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Independence-class

10. USS Cooperstown (LCS-23)

• Commission date: May 6, 2023
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Freedom-class

9. USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123)

• Commission date: May 13, 2023
• Unit type: Destroyer
• Class: Arleigh Burke-class

8. USS Carl M. Levin (DDG-120)

• Commission date: June 24, 2023
• Unit type: Destroyer
• Class: Arleigh Burke-class

7. USS Canberra (LCS-30)

• Commission date: July 22, 2023
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Independence-class

6. USS Marinette (LCS-25)

• Commission date: September 16, 2023
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Freedom-class

5. USS Augusta (LCS-34)

• Commission date: September 30, 2023
• Unit type: Littoral combat ship
• Class: Independence-class

4. USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125)

• Commission date: October 7, 2023
• Unit type: Destroyer
• Class: Arleigh Burke-class

3. USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795)

• Commission date: October 14, 2023
• Unit type: Attack submarine
• Class: Virginia-class

2. USS John L. Canley (ESB-6)

• Commission date: February 17, 2024
• Unit type: Expeditionary mobile base
• Class: Lewis B. Puller-class

1. USS Massachusetts (SSN-798)

• Commission date: February 24, 2024
• Unit type: Attack submarine
• Class: Virginia-class

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.