View source for Warship

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A '''warship''' is a vessel built to take an active part in [[naval warfare]], carrying out missions principally including [[anti-surface warfare]], [[anti-air warfare]], [[anti-submarine warfare]] and [[land attack]].  While technically warships, vessels purpose-built for [[mine warfare]] and [[amphibious warfare]] have defensive weapons only. 

The term "man o'war" has been used historically for worships, but does not imply a purpose-built design. Underlying design is important in modern warships; there is a delicate argument for certain escorts that are built on merchant hulls but still have some purpose-built features. Not all naval ships that engage in combat are warships, such as armed merchant cruisers or early pirate vessels.

Modern warships also have extensive electronics systems for [[target acquisition]], [[fire control (military)|fire control]], and defensive [[electronic warfare]], as well as for [[navigation]] and [[telecommunications network|communications]].

The major modern types of warships are of the types:
{{r|Aircraft carrier}}
{{r|Cruiser}}
{{r|Destroyer}}

{{r|Fast attack craft}}
{{r|Submarine}}
{{r|Corvette}}
Historical types of warships included:
{{r|Battleship}}
{{r|Battlecruiser}}
{{r|Frigate}}
{{r|Trireme}}
{{r|Monitor}}