By the Numbers

Not sure if you noticed, but the Small Wars Journal has a pre-decisional draft copy of the QDR up. I'm not going to analyze too deep, simply wait for the real thing next week. But...

Do the math. The QDR sizes the Navy fleet as follows.

10 - 11 aircraft carriers
84 - 90 large surface combatants, including 19 - 32 BMD-capable combatants
14 - 28 small surface combatants
29 - 33 amphibious warfare ships
51 - 55 attack submarines
4 guided missile submarines
3 maritime prepositioning squadrons
30 - 34 combat logistics force ships
17 - 24 command and support vessels (including JHSV)

If we assume 6 ships per MPS, and add the top number in each listing instead of the bottom number, the result is less than 300 ships. I highlight, but again, everything is unclear until Monday.