United States Navy

Navy, United States, branch of the U.S. armed forces designed to maintain command of the sea. The Continental Congress voted (1775) the first naval budget to outfit ships in the American Revolution against the British. By 1798 the Navy Department was established. The Spanish-American War in 1898 brought the United States to the forefront of the world's seapowers, second only to Great Britain. Leading developments after the 2 world wars were the navy's nuclear-powered submarines and guided missiles.