flotilla
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flotilla
Flotilla
(1) An operational unit in the navy of many states that is charged with carrying out a mission in a designated area of a sea, river, or lake. A flotilla consists of formations of ships and aircraft, units of marines, and units of services that maintain its military readiness and routine functioning. Missions of flotillas are executed independently or in conjunction with formations and units of other military forces (combat arms).
(2) A tactical formation in the navy of several foreign states (USA, Great Britain, France, and others) consisting of two or more squadrons or divisions of submarines, destroyers, rocket launches or torpedo boats, minesweepers, and other ships and boats.
(3) An operational unit of strategic atomic-powered missile-carrying submarines of some states (French Navy, for example).
(4) A formation of fishing, expeditionary, or sporting boats, such as the antarctic whaling flotilla Slava.