The United States Navy

The U.S. Navy has identified a need for 313 combat ships, but under the current plans will only be able to afford 243 to 232.
• Aircraft carriers
The Navy has established a minimum requirement for 11 aircraft carriers, but will drop to 10 when the Enterprise retires before the Gerald R. Ford is ready for service. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has questioned this need.
A carrier is typically deployed along with a host of additional vessels, forming a carrier strike group. The supporting ships, which usually include three or four Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers, a frigate, and two attack submarines, are tasked with protecting the carrier from air, missile, sea, and undersea threats as well as providing additional strike capabilities themselves. Ready logistics support for the group is provided by a combined ammunition, oiler, and supply ship.