Aircraft Carrier - CV, CVN

Aircraft Carrier	Aircraft Carrier Pearl Harbor	Aircraft Carrier RN	Aircraft Carrier Deck	US Navy Aircraft Carrier

Description: Aircraft carrier provide a wide range of possible response for the National Command Authority. Aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and in most cases recover aircraft, acting as a sea-going airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow naval force to deploy air power to great distances without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations.

Aircraft Carrier Mission
To provide a credible, sustainable, independent forward presence and conventional deterrence in peacetime, To operate as the cornerstone of joint/allied maritime expeditionary forces in times of crisis, and To operate and support aircraft attacks on enemies, protect friendly forces and engage in sustained independent operations in war.

Features: The aircraft carrier continues to be the centerpiece of the forces necessary for forward presence. Whenever there has been a crisis, the first question has been: "Where are the carriers?" Carriers support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat, and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea; and engage in sustained operations in support of other forces.

Aircraft carriers are deployed worldwide in support of U.S. interests and commitments. They can respond to global crises in ways ranging from peacetime presence to full-scale war. Together with their on-board air wings, the carriers have vital roles across the full spectrum of conflict.

The Nimitz-class carriers, eight operational and two under construction, are the largest warships in the world. USS Nimitz (CVN 68) was the first to undergo its initial refueling during a 33-month Refueling Complex Overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., in 1998. The next generation of carrier, CVN 21, the hull number will be CVN 78, is programmed to start construction in 2007 and is slated to be placed in commission in 2014 to replace Aircraft Carrier USS Enterprise aircraft carrier (CVN 65 which will be over its 50-year mark. CVN 79 is programmed to begin construction in 2012 and to be placed in commission in 2018, replacing USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in her 50th year.

General Characteristics, Nimitz Aircraft Carrier Class

Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va.
Power Plant: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts
Length, overall: 1,092 feet (332.85 meters)
Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters)
Beam: 134 feet (40.84 meters)
Displacement: Approx. 97,000 tons (87,996.9 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)
Aircraft: 85
Cost: about $4.5 billion each
Ships:
Aircraft Carrier Nimitz (CVN 68), San Diego, Calif.
Aircraft Carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Newport News, Va.
Aircraft Carrier Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Bremerton, Wash.
Aircraft Carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Norfolk, Va.
Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Everett, Wash.
Aircraft Carrier George Washington (CVN 73), Norfolk, Va.
Aircraft Carrier John C. Stennis (CVN 74), San Diego, Calif.
Aircraft Carrier Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Norfolk, Va.
Aircraft Carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), San Diego, Calif.
Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (keel laying 6 Sept 2003)

Crew: Ship's Company: 3,200 - Air Wing: 2,480
Armament: Two or three (depending on modification) NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts: (3 on Nimitz and Dwight D. Eisenhower and 4 on Vinson and later ships of the class.)
Date Deployed: May 3, 1975 (USS Nimitz)

General Characteristics, Enterprise Aircraft Carrier Class

Builders: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va.
Power Plant: Eight nuclear reactors, four shafts
Length, overall: 1,101 feet 2 inches (335.64 meters)
Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (75.6 meters)
Beam: 133 feet (39.9 meters)
Displacement: 89,600 tons ( 81,283.8 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5 miles per hour)
Aircraft: 85
Ship:USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Norfolk, Va.
Crew: Ship's Company: 3,350 - Air Wing 2,480
Armament: Two Sea Sparrow missile launchers, three Phalanx 20 mm CIWS mounts
Date Deployed: November 25, 1961 (USS Enterprise)

General Characteristics, John F. Kennedy

Builders: Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.
Power Plant: Eight boilers, four shafts, 280,000 total shaft horsepower
Length, overall: 1052 feet (315.6 meters)
Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters)
Beam: 130 feet (39.6 meters)
Displacement: 82,000 tons (74,389.1 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5 miles per hour)
Aircraft: Approximately 85.
Ship: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67); Mayport, Fla.
Crew: Ship's Company: 3,117 - Air Wing 2,480
Armament: Sea Sparrow missiles with box launchers, Three 20mm Phalanx CIWS
Date Deployed: September 7, 1968

General Characteristics, Kitty Hawk Air Carrier Class

Builders: New York Ship Building Corp., Camden, N.J.
Power Plant: Eight boilers, four geared steam turbines, four shafts, 280,000 shaft horsepower.
Length, overall: 1062.5 feet (323.8 meters)
Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters)
Beam: 130 feet (39 meters)
Displacement: Approx. 80,800 tons (73,300.5 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)
Aircraft: 85
Ships:
USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), Yokosuka, Japan
Crew: Ship's Company: 3,150 - Air Wing: 2,480
Armament: Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts
Date Deployed: April 29, 1961 (USS Kitty Hawk)

Credits: US Navy

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