The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 15th Edition; Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems

xxvi, 1058, [4] pages. Technical Data. Illustrations. Addenda. Index of Ships Names. Business card of an Associate Publicist for the Naval Institute stapled to fep. Eric Wertheim is a defense consultant, columnist, and author specializing in naval and maritime affairs. Frequently interviewed by the news media, he has served as a consultant to private industry and the U.S. government. He has been a columnist for Proceedings magazine since 1994. As an author and editor, he tracks, analyzes, and compiles data and photography on every vessel, aircraft, and major weapon system in every naval and paranaval force in the world-from Albania to Zimbabwe. The work is published as the Naval Institute Press' definitive Guide to Combat Fleets of the World. Eric has served as speechwriter for senior Pentagon officials and as a consultant to best-selling authors, publishers, and nonprofit organizations-and has been instrumental in the advancement of numerous high-technology weapons and concepts. He is co-author of Chronology of the Cold War at Sea, among other books. Internationally acknowledged as the best one-volume reference to the world's naval and paranaval forces, this popular Naval Institute guide is comprehensive. Updated periodically since 1976, it has come to be relied on for all-inclusive, accurate, and up-to-date data on the ships, navies, coast guards, and naval aviation arms of more than 180 countries and territories. Large fleets and small maritime forces get equally thorough treatment as evidenced in this work, which highlights major and even minor developments that could have an impact on the world scene. A thorough indexing of material and a logical ship-typing system make the book easy to use and allow for quick comparisons between fleets. The guide continues to present timely, authoritative information supported by more than four thousand illustrations from correspondents throughout the world. From giant aircraft carriers and ballistic missile submarines to tugboats and launches, the characteristics and capabilities of ships large and small are reliably recorded. Complete descriptions of naval aircraft, weapons, weapon systems, and sensors are also provided along with useful commentary on organization, personnel strengths, and bases. 15th Edition [stated], First Printing [stated].…