DD(X)'s revolutionary technologies and systems will lay the groundwork for future surface ships, including carriers and amphibs. For more, see pages 30-33.

A U.S. Navy helicopter air crewman drops food and water to residents of Sumatra, Indonesia. Helicopters from Carrier Air Wing Two and sailors from the Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) are supporting humanitarian operations in the wake of the tsunami that struck South East Asia. For more, see page 28.

A Norwegian landing craft speeds by HMS Albion, one of the Royal Navy's new assault landing ships. Additionworld's naviesal coverage and photography of the world's navies begins on page 32.

The cover features one of this year's Naval and Maritime Photo Contest honorable mention winners,
Navy Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jayme Pastoric.

Two Marines from Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, Fifth Marines, race through rubble from a building destroyed by a 2,000-lb. bomb during the second battle for Fallujah in December 2004. Twelve terrorists were killed in the attack, which also cost the life of one Marine (Paul Starner).

The Texas (SSN-775) in Northrop Grumman's Newport News floating drydock. Inset—Captain Frederick Branch, 75, in 1997, with a picture taken after his commissioning ceremony in November 1945. Northrop Grumman Newports News/KRT (Ron Tarver).

Boeing's X-45C full-scale model on the ramp with an F/A-18F and an F-15E.

USCGC Bainbridge Island (WPB-1343) on patrol in New York harbor.

How lucky can you get? Lieutenant Commander Dave Balsitis, VFA-106, stands by to man his F/A-18F Super Hornet on board the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) during flight operations off the East Coast.

A sailor from the USS Tortuga (LSD-46) assists a Katrina victim in New Orleans.

Pfc. John Super, a Kansas City Marine reservist, volunteered to go to Iraq with the 4th Supply Battalion.

A pilot hones his skills in a Lockheed Martin simulator, part of the ?"NxTrain," or next generation training system.