600-ship Navy

United States Cold War–era defense plan

The recommissioning ceremony for USS New Jersey; President Ronald Reagan attended and gave the ship's orders.

The 600-ship Navy was a strategic plan of the United States Navy during the 1980s to rebuild its fleet after cutbacks that followed the end of the Vietnam War.[1] The plan, which originated with Republican leaders, was an important campaign plank of Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election, who advocated a larger military and strategic confrontation with the Soviet Union.[2][3]

The number of ships peaked at 594 in 1987, before declining sharply after the end of the Cold War in 1989–1992.[4]

The program included:

* Recommissioning the Iowa-class battleships
* Keeping older ships in service longer
* A large new construction program
* Stepping up production of Nimitz-class aircraft carriers

The idea was supported by John F. Lehman, who became Reagan's Secretary of the Navy, and Caspar Weinberger, Reagan's Secretary of Defense.

## Background

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The idea behind the 600-ship Navy can be traced back to the Vietnam War. During the war, the armed services rapidly expanded to meet the demands placed on them.

The Soviet Union, which had been supporting North Vietnam, began staging their naval vessels from former U.S. ports in South Vietnam. Building on this gain, Soviet vessels began to sail in all seven seas with increased vigor and even ventured into the Gulf of Mexico.[5] Soviet forces also stepped up infantry, armor, and air force deployments in Eastern Europe.

## Reagan plan

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It was against this backdrop in 1980 that the United States began an election year. President Reagan continued this in 1984, releasing a campaign commercial "Bear," which played on the use of the bear as a national symbol of Russia in order to promote higher vigilance and defense expenditures against the Soviet Union.

The overseas strategic retaliation arm was strengthened and the development of new weaponry like the B-1B bomber, the Bradley fighting vehicle, and the Abrams tank was completed and they were put into production.

Lehman attempted to "front-load" the program, by committing the Navy to the building program, but in the end the funds were not available and it fell short.[6][7]

## Ships and weapons systems deployed during the plan

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The Navy saw the largest benefit of the rebuilding.[8][9] Under the Reagan administration, the first of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines were completed. This class was the largest submarine ever built in the U.S. The ship carried 24 Trident I nuclear-capable missiles, each one with a 4,000-mile (6,400 km) range. Construction of the Nimitz class of supercarriers and Los Angeles-class attack submarines were dramatically stepped up. The revolutionary new Aegis Combat System was installed on the upcoming Ticonderoga-class ships, production of which was also stepped up. Several aircraft carriers were put through Service Life Extension Programs (SLEPs) aimed at keeping them in service longer. The Iowa-class battleships, built in the 1940s, were all recommissioned and refitted with RGM-84 Harpoon, BGM-109 Tomahawk, and Phalanx CIWS system capabilities, plus their armor plating would be more resilient against anti-ship missiles. The first Harpoons, Tomahawks, and AGM-88 HARM missiles all debuted on the navy's ships. Naval aviation was stepped up with the introduction of the F/A-18 Hornet, along with improved versions of the EA-6 Prowler electronic countermeasure aircraft, the A-6 Intruder, and the F-14 Tomcat. In addition, the nation's strategic retaliatory arm was strengthened with advanced B-1B bombers and deploying Pershing II theater missiles to Europe. The initiative also included deployment of Abrams main battle tanks and Bradley armored fighting vehicles. U.S. Navy unclassified miscellaneous ships, auxiliary ships, and yard ships are not included in the ship count.

## Build-up by year

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Aircraft carriers

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Nimitz class |  | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5
USS Enterprise (CVN-65) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Kitty Hawk class |  | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
Forrestal class |  | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
Midway class |  | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
Essex class |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Total | Ships | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17

Battleships

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Iowa class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4

Cruisers

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Ticonderoga class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 16
Virginia class |  | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
California class |  | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
USS Truxtun (CGN-35) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Belknap class |  | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9
Leahy class |  | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9
Long Beach class |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Total | Ships | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 41 | 42

Destroyers

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Kidd class |  | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
Spruance class |  | 30 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31
Charles F. Adams class |  | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 10
Farragut class |  | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7
Forrest Sherman class |  | 18 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
Gearing class |  | 14 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total | Ships | 95 | 91 | 76 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 68 | 63 | 52

Frigates

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Oliver Hazard Perry class |  | 8 | 17 | 26 | 37 | 45 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 54 | 55 | 55
Knox class |  | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46 | 46
Brooke class |  | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0
Garcia class |  | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0
Bronstein class |  | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
Total | Ships | 73 | 82 | 91 | 102 | 110 | 115 | 117 | 119 | 108 | 104 | 103
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Total major combatants active | 208 | 213 | 208 | 214 | 224 | 230 | 236 | 242 | 232 | 229 | 218

Amphibious assault ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Wasp class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
Tarawa class |  | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5
Iwo Jima class |  | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7
Total | Ships | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13

Dock landing ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Whidbey Island class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5
Anchorage class |  | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5
Thomaston class |  | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0
Casa Grande class |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0
Total | Ships | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10

Amphibious transport dock

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Austin class |  | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12
Raleigh class |  | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3
Total | Ships | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15

Amphibious cargo ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Charleston class |  | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5
USS Tulare (AKA-112) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total | Ships | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5

Tank landing ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Newport class |  | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20
General Frank S. Besson class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4
Total | Ships | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 24
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Total amphibious active | 67 | 67 | 67 | 65 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 66 | 68 | 67 | 67

Command Ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Blue Ridge class |  | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
Total | Ships | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2

Hospital ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Mercy class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2

Minesweeper

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Avenger class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3
Aggressive class |  | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 14
Total | Ships | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 17

Patrol ships

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Pegasus class |  | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6
Asheville class |  | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
Total | Ships | 10 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10

Replenishment oiler

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Henry J. Kaiser class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9
Cimarron class |  | 0 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5
Wichita class |  | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7
Total | Ships | 7 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21

Tanker

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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USNS Lawrence H. Gianella (T-AOT-1125) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
SS class |  | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3
Total | Ships | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4

Ammunition ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Kilauea class |  | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8
Nitro class |  | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3
Total | Ships | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11

Combat stores ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Mars class |  | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7
Sirius class |  | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3
Total | Ships | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10

Fast combat support ships

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Sacramento class |  | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
Total | Ships | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4

Roll-on/roll-off

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Algol class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8
Cape Island class |  | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
Cape Ducato class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5
Cape Ducato class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3
Total | Ships | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10

Destroyer tender

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Yellowstone class |  | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
Samuel Gompers class |  | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
Shenandoah class |  | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total | Ships | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6

Submarine tender

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Emory S. Land class |  | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3
USS L. Y. Spear (AS-36) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Total | Ships | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4

Crane ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Keystone State class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7
Gopher State class |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3
Total | Ships | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10

Heavy-lift ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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American Cormorant[1] |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1

Cable ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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USNS Zeus (T-ARC-7) |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1

Rescue and salvage ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Safeguard class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
Pigeon class |  | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
Bolster class |  | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6
Total | Ships | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12

Tracking ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
USS Range Sentinel (AGM-22) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
USNS Vanguard (T-AG-194) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Total | Ships | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3

Ocean surveillance ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Stalwart class |  | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 18
Total | Ships | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 18

Oceanographic research ship

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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USNS Hayes (T-AGOR-16) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Total | Ships | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Total auxiliary active | 88 | 98 | 100 | 109 | 113 | 119 | 128 | 136 | 140 | 149 | 147
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Total surface active | 363 | 378 | 375 | 388 | 400 | 412 | 427 | 444 | 440 | 445 | 432

Attack submarines

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Los Angeles class |  | 10 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 29 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 42 | 44
Sturgeon class |  | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37
Permit class |  | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 8
Skipjack class |  | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0
Barbel class |  | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0
Skate class |  | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0
USS Seawolf (SSN-575) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
USS Darter (SS-576) |  | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0
Tang class |  | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total | Subs | 77 | 83 | 87 | 91 | 94 | 98 | 96 | 97 | 95 | 94 | 89

Ballistic missile submarines

Class of ships | Image | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Ohio class |  | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
Benjamin Franklin class |  | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12
James Madison class |  | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8
Lafayette class |  | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 3
Ethan Allen class |  | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
George Washington class |  | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Total | Subs | 41 | 41 | 41 | 39 | 40 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 40 | 38 | 36
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Total submarines active | 118 | 124 | 128 | 130 | 134 | 137 | 135 | 136 | 135 | 132 | 125
Years | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990

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Total active fleet | 481 | 502 | 503 | 518 | 534 | 549 | 562 | 580 | 575 | 577 | 557

## End of the plan

[edit]

Eventually political pressure to reduce the national budget deficit resulted in Congress reversing itself and passing a series of declining defense budgets beginning in 1986.[10][11][7] Weinberger clashed with Congress over the cuts, resigning in late 1987, and was succeeded by Frank Carlucci.[12] Furthermore, concerns were raised about how the expansion of the Navy would reduce attention and resources needed in other scenarios where the Soviets also had to be confronted such as Europe.[13]

Lehman's successor as Navy Secretary, Jim Webb, remained a fierce proponent of the expanded fleet, and disagreed with Carlucci over how to cut the Navy budget in line with other services. Webb resigned rather than endorse Carlucci's cut of 16 frigates.[14] As revealed in The Reagan Diaries, Reagan reflected about Webb's resignation on 22 February 1988: "Present Sec. Webb resigned over budget cuts. I don't think Navy was sorry to see him go."[15][16]

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s and the lack of a perceived threat against the United States, several of the Reagan Administration's policies and plans, such as the "600-ship Navy", were scaled back or abandoned.[2] U.S. bases across Europe and North America were slowly decommissioned and closed, others were mothballed through the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.[6] In the Navy, this resulted in the retirement of several older carriers, the decommissioning of all four of the Iowa-class battleships and the cancellation of the remaining Seawolf-class submarines.

## See also

[edit]

* Cold War (1979–1985)
* Cold War (1985–1991)
* List of ships of the United States Navy
* National Defense Reserve Fleet
* United States Navy ships

## References

[edit]

* Holland, W. J. (2000). The Navy. Naval Historical Foundation. ISBN 0-7607-6218-X.

1. ^ Hattendorf, John B. Kelleher, Catherine McArdle; Boyer, Pelham G.; Goodrich, Patricia A. (eds.). The Evolution of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Strategy, 1977-1986 (PDF). Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (Center for Naval Warfare Studies) (Essay). Naval War College Newport Papers. Vol. 19\. Newport, Rhode Island, United States: Naval War College. ISBN 1-884733-32-8. ISSN 1544-6824. OMB No. 0704-0188. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2009.
2. ^ a b Daniel, Donald C.F. (1 January 1991). Rhode, Benjamin (ed.). "Beyond the 600-Ship Navy: Introduction". The Adelphi Papers. 31 (261). London, United Kingdom: International Institute for Strategic Studies/Taylor & Francis: 3–4\. doi:10.1080/05679329108457607. ISSN 1944-5571. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
3. ^ Armstrong, C.E.; Bottoms, Albert M. (22 June 1989). Uhlig Jr., Frank (ed.). "Command of the Seas: Building the 600 Ship Navy" (PDF). Naval War College Review. 42 (3). New Port, Rhode Island, United States: Naval War College: 118–122\. ISSN 0028-1484. LCCN 75617787. OCLC 01779130. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
4. ^ "US Ship Force Levels 1886-present". Naval History and Heritage Command. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
5. ^ "AROUND THE NATION; Soviet Naval Vessels Found in Gulf of Mexico". The New York Times. Associated Press. 5 October 1981. p. A16. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Archived from the original on 25 February 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
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## Further reading

[edit]

* NSC-NSDD-32: U.S. National Security Strategy – The White House, May 20, 1982. archive listings
* Congressional Budget Office:
* Building a 600-Ship Navy: Costs, Timing, and Alternative Approaches. March 1982
* Manpower for a 600-Ship Navy: Costs and Policy Alternatives. August 1983
* GlobalSecurity.org
* Ship Building 1981–89. Reagan, Ronald
* Naval Historical Center:
* The U.S. Navy in the Cold War Era, 1945–1991
* NWP 1 – Strategic Concepts of the Navy. February 1987
* Naval War College:
* John B. Hattendorf. "The Evolution of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Strategy, 1977–1986" Naval War College Newport Paper 19 (2004), ISBN 1-884733-32-8. Available in PDF format here and here
* United States Naval Institute:
* Lieutenant General Bernard E. Trainor, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired). "Triumph in Strategic Thinking". United States Naval Institute Proceedings Vol. 134, No. 2 (February 2008) pp. 40–42
* Norman Friedman. "The Navy, the Cold War – and Now" United States Naval Institute Proceedings Vol. 133, No. 10 (October 2007) pp. 58–62

## External links

[edit]

* U.S. Naval Strategy During the Cold War from the Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives
* Building a 600 Ship Navy: The Congressional Budget Office Report