WorldWideAircraftCarriers.com - Nimitz Class Page


SPECIFICATIONS	PHOTOGRAPHS (Click on the pictures for an enlarged photo)
Designation: CVN Length: 1092 ft Width: 252 ft Beam: 134 ft Displacement: 102,000 tons Propulsion: 2 A4W Nuclear Reactors, 4 shafts Speed: 30+ knots Crew: 5,984 (includes air crew) Airwing: 85 fixed, rotary Armament: - 3 X 8 Sea Sparrow SAM - 4 X 20mm Phalanx CIWS Elevators: 4 Catapaults: 4 Ships in class: 10 CVN-68 USS Nimitz CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-70 USS Carl Vinson CVN-71 USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-72 USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-73 USS George Washington CVN-74 USS John C. Stennis CVN-75 USS Harry S. Truman CVN-76 USS Ronald Reagan CVN-77 George HW Bush The Nimitz class aircraft carriers are the largest warships ever built. They are the mainstay of the US Navy's power projection and sea lane protetction capabilities. Each of these vessels carries an airwing that is larger and more powerful than many nation's complete air force. By having the resources, the experience, and the apability to operate twelve such vessels (where each vessel is surrounded by an extensive force of other surface and sub-surface combatants that make up each Carrier Strike Group (CSG), the United States remains the unchallenged, dominant sea force on earth. The USS George HW Bush, CVN-77, represents a transformation step in US carrier development. In connection with her christening, the USS Kitty Hawk, CV-63 was retired from service. Many new features have been added to the USS Geroge HW Bush, leading to the more complete transformation represented by CVN-78 or, what is called the CVN-21 Class for the 21st Century, which will replace the USS Enterprise, CVN-65, America's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier in 2013. Among the inovations contemplated are: A much more effecient nuclear reactor system providing three times more power. Electromagnetic aircraft launch and recovery replacing current steam catapaults and current arrestor systems. A redesigned, more effecient, and more stealthy island. More auomated systems, providing for reduced manpower requirements and more efficient aircraft weapons handling, battle management, and damage control operations. Potential exotic defensive weapons systems operating off of the increased electrical power. 20% more sortie capability for the embarjed airwing. 25% more operational availability of the carrier. With these innovations, and the many others that will be developed into the new carrier, the US Navy is making a direct statement that its 21st century, next-generation carrier fleet will continue to have as its centerpiece large-deck, nuclear-powered vessels that can project power and protect sea lanes anywhere in the world, at any time.

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Jeff Head is an engineering consultant with many years experience in the power, defense, and computer industries. He currently works for the federal government helping maintain and protect regional infrastructure. He is a member of the U.S. Naval Institute, and is also the author of a self-published and best-selling series of military techno-thrillers called the Dragon's Fury that projects a fictional third world war arising out of current events. You can learn more about that series by clicking on the pictures of the novel covers below:

THE DRAGON'S FURY SERIES

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