In wars on the high seas, the most common are aircraft carriers, considered the “heart” of the fleet, submarines, escort ships such as frigates, corvettes and destroyers (or destroyers, as they were originally called in English), and support vessels such as tankers and troop transports. This maritime squadron is the result of the millennial evolution of the Navy, which weighed anchor a few centuries before the Christian era. In those early days, the pioneering vessels were very simple, built of wood and powered by sail. The main weapon of aquatic stickbreakers was the sword. “The fight began with the boarding of the vessels, followed by hand-to-hand combat,” says naval development specialist Bernard Ireland in his book Warships. The distance confrontation began around the 15th century, when cannons conquered the seas. They remained the main weapon in naval battles until the 19th century, when a sea of innovations appeared. First, steamships replaced sailing vessels, giving the fleet more autonomy. Later, more resistant ships appeared, such as battleships, which had a hull covered with metal plates to withstand cannon fire. Another novelty was lighter vessels, such as cruisers, highly mobile ships used to explore enemy waters and prepare for the arrival of the main fleet. Both models shone in the First World War (1914-1919). Today, battleships no longer exist in any Navy in the world and cruisers are also starting to become rare. From the 1940s onwards, the stars became aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, capable of going virtually unnoticed by even the most powerful radars.
dive into it
On the Internet:
https://www.mar.mil.br/Marinha_do_Brasil/menu_navios.htm
The Brazilian Navy has 29 models of vessels, most of which are over 30 years old.
Air Force
In a naval battle, the main weapons do not come from the sea, but from the sky: planes are the real heavy artillery, since the shots coming from the air reach a much greater distance than the shots fired from ships. The Brazilian Navy has a single fighter model, the Skyhawk, and five types of helicopters
Submarine
Moving ahead of the fleet, submarines are used to locate and destroy enemies. The Brazilian submarine Tupi, for example, has eight torpedo launch tubes and can plant up to 16 mines. Despite this power, the Tupi is considered a small vessel, measuring 61 meters in length, with room for about 30 men.
escort ships
This category includes frigates, corvettes and destroyers (also called destroyers). These ships are distinguished by their size, the amount of armament and the power of the engine. In general, the escort has the greatest maritime firepower. Therefore, its function is to protect the aircraft carrier and destroy enemy aircraft and ships. Brazilian destroyers, for example, have anti-submarine missiles, cannons and torpedo launchers.
Aircraft carrier
Also called an aircraft carrier, it is the center of the fleet in any conflict at sea. It is the only one that can carry aircraft to attack enemy ships. In the Brazilian Navy, the aircraft carrier São Paulo can carry up to 37 fighters and two helicopters. With capacity for up to 1,030 crew members, this giant weighing 31,000 tons, 266 meters long and 51 meters wide also has a mechanical workshop and a fuel station for aircraft.
mine sweeper ship
This ship destroys enemy sea mines. To do so, he uses four different techniques: mechanics, throwing steel nets to capture mines; acoustics, emitting frequencies to blast sound-activated devices; magnetic, in which a cable with electrodes activates the traps; and the explosive, when a kind of grenade detonates other explosives
support vessels
In addition to the attack fleet, there is a squadron that operates behind the scenes of the war, providing supplies, fuel and all kinds of support. They are vessels that serve as a hospital, dormitory and boat tugs. The Brazilian Navy, for example, has a troop transport ship, a kind of floating accommodation with capacity for 1,900 Marines.
In the water, the essential thing is to protect the aircraft carriers
In an aquatic confrontation, the composition of the fleet and the position of each ship will depend on the mission to be accomplished. In general, aircraft carriers occupy the center of the fleet, flanked by two ships carrying fuel. On the sides are the escort ships, equipped with heavy weapons to protect the air artillery. Submarines go ahead of the fleet, scouting out the territory before the larger ships arrive.