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Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Is that not a reduction in real terms Eddie?

My current understanding (and the link below) states there are approximately 430 ships in service or in reserve atm.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/mili...-entire-fleet/

I think it depends on how you count. "Traditionally" U.S. Navy has counted auxiliaries (today USNS) separately from commissioned warships (today USS). That 430 vessel figure sounds ball park right if you include minesweepers, cargo ships, oilers and harbour tugs.

However couple of (or more) years ago when numbers were dropping low with FFGs d'comming and LCSes AWOL somebody in "five-sided-wind-tunnel" got bright idea of boosting fleet numbers by changing counting rules. After few pen strokes some "force multiplier" auxiliaries such as hospital ships (USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort) were counted equal with destroyers.

Don't know if that rather creative way to increase fleet size is still used.