On, above and below the water, the U.S. Navy (USN) is America’s forward-deployed force and is a major deterrent to aggression around the world. It is the maritime service branch of the Department of Defense. It is the world’s most powerful Navy with the largest displacement, at 4.5 million tons as of 2021. The U.S. Navy has the world’s largest aircraft carrier fleet, with 11 in service, one undergoing trials, two new carriers under construction, and six other carriers planned as of 2024. With 336,978 personnel on active duty and 101,583 in the Ready Reserve, the U.S. Navy is the third largest of the United States military service branches in terms of personnel. It has 299 deployable combat vessels and about 4,012 operational aircraft as of 18 July 2023. The U.S. Navy is one of six armed forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States.
