War. War never changes. Mankind has fought naval battles for thousands of years. And in the 21st century, the navy is still the most important branch of any maritime nation's combat forces. But technology does change, and if you don't live near a navy harbor, there's a chance you've missed all the newest ships being built and launched in the past few years.
The following set of photos will introduce to you the latest, most advanced, sometimes surprisingly futuristic vessels from the largest navies of the world.
This is HMS Queen Elizabeth, the newest aircraft carrier of the British Navy, also the largest warship ever built in the UK—named by Queen Elizabeth II on July 4th, 2014, and scheduled to be commissioned in early 2017.
Photo: CPOA(Phot) Thomas Tam McDonald/Royal Navy/MoD/Crown
Photo: Aircraft Carrier Alliance
Photo: Andrew Linnett/MoD/Crown
HMS Defender is the fifth of the Royal Navy’s six state-of-the-art Type 45 or Daring-class air defense destroyers (commissioned on March 21st, 2013).
Photo: L(Phot) Will Haigh/Royal Navy/MoD/Crown
The U.S. Navy's newest littoral combat ship—aka a ship designed to be used near shore—USS Coronado (LCS 4) was commissioned on April 5th, 2014. It is the second littoral combat ship of the Independence variant that features an innovative "trimaran" hull.
Photo: Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Donnie W. Ryan/U.S. Navy
The littoral combat ships USS Independence (LCS 2), left, and USS Coronado (LCS 4) are underway in the Pacific Ocean.
Photo: Chief Mass Communication Specialist Keith DeVinney/U.S. Navy
The USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) is the first of three Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyers developed for the U.S. Navy. It was christened on April 12th, 2014, and will be commissioned in 2015.
Photo: General Dynamics/U.S. Navy
Photo: General Dynamics/U.S. Navy
Photo: U.S. Navy
The U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command's first-in-class high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) has been in service since December 5th, 2012. Its modular design allows it to be rapidly refitted for various non-combat missions, such as transportation of troops or equipment.