Nimitz-class aircraft carrier: Difference between revisions
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[[File:US_Navy_020421-N-8794V-001_USS_Lincoln_-_Gulf_of_Alaska.jpg|thumb|240px|In the [[Gulf of Alaska]]]] |
[[File:US_Navy_020421-N-8794V-001_USS_Lincoln_-_Gulf_of_Alaska.jpg|thumb|240px|In the [[Gulf of Alaska]]]] |
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==={{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72}}=== |
==={{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72}}=== |
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USS ''Abraham Lincoln'' was laid down on November 3, 1984 and was launched on February 13, 1988. The ship was commissioned on November 11, 1989 and since then, has participated in operations and deployments including [[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Operation Desert Shield]] and [[Gulf War|Operation Desert Storm]], [[Operation Fiery Vigil]], [[Operation Southern Watch]], [[War in Somalia (1992–1993)|Operation Restore Hope]], [[Operation Vigilant Sentinel]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] and [[Operation Unified Assistance]]. |
USS ''Abraham Lincoln'' was laid down on November 3, 1984 and was launched on February 13, 1988. The ship was commissioned on November 11, 1989 and since then, has participated in operations and deployments including [[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Operation Desert Shield]] and [[Gulf War|Operation Desert Storm]], [[Operation Fiery Vigil]], [[Operation Southern Watch]], [[War in Somalia (1992–1993)|Operation Restore Hope]], [[Operation Vigilant Sentinel]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] and [[Operation Unified Assistance]]. In 2006, the ship underwent a refit at [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=28368 |title=Deck Department Gives Abe “That New Ship Look" |author= |date=3/17/2007 |work= |publisher=US Navy |accessdate=2009-12-19}}</ref> She remains in active service, as of 2009, and is based at [[Naval Station Everett]] in [[Everett, Washington]]. |
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[[File:USSRONALDREAGANgoodshot.jpg|thumb|240px|USS ''Ronald Reagan'']] |
[[File:USSRONALDREAGANgoodshot.jpg|thumb|240px|USS ''Ronald Reagan'']] |
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==={{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76}}=== |
==={{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76}}=== |
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USS ''Ronald Reagan'' was laid down on February 12, 1998 and was launched on March 4, 2001. After her commissioning on July 12, 2003, the ship departed her homeport of [[Naval Air Station North Island]] in [[San Diego, California]] on Jan. 4, 2006 on her [[maiden voyage|maiden deployment]] to conduct naval operations in support of [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] and [[Operation Enduring Freedom]], as well as to conduct maritime security operations (MSO) in the [[Persian Gulf]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=21569 |title=USS Ronald Reagan Departs on Maiden Deployment |author= |date=1/4/2006 |work= |publisher=US Navy |accessdate=2009-12-19}}</ref> |
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*Laid down: February 12, 1998 |
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*Launched: March 4, 2001 ([[List of ship launches in 2001|List]]) |
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*Commissioned: July 12, 2003 ([[List of ship commissionings in 2003|List]]) |
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*Status: In active service, based at [[Naval Air Station North Island]] in [[San Diego, California]] |
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[[File:USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77).jpg|thumb|240px|USS ''George H. W. Bush'' underway from Naval Station Norfolk.]] |
[[File:USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77).jpg|thumb|240px|USS ''George H. W. Bush'' underway from Naval Station Norfolk.]] |
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==={{USS|George H.W. Bush|CVN-77}}=== |
==={{USS|George H.W. Bush|CVN-77}}=== |
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The final ship of the class, USS ''George H.W. Bush'' was laid down on September 6, 2003. The ship was launched on October 9, 2006 and was commissioned on January 10, 2009. The final cost of construction was reported to have been US$6.2 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479087,00.html |title=Aircraft Carrier Named the USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned |author= |date=January 10, 2009 |work= |publisher=Fox News |accessdate=2009-12-19}}</ref> As of 2009, the ship is undergoing post shakedown availability (PSA) involving maintainence and training before she enters fully operational service in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=167577 |title=Northrop Grumman Awarded PSA Contract for USS George H. W. Bush |author= |date=June 18, 2009 |work= |publisher=Northop Grumman |accessdate=2009-12-19}} </ref> |
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*Laid down: September 6, 2003 |
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*Launched: October 9, 2006 ([[List of ship launches in 2006|List]]) |
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*Commissioned: January 10, 2009 ([[List of ship commissionings in 2009|List]]) |
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*Status: Pending post delivery maintenance before commencing training for operational deployment in 2010. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 16:13, 19 December 2009
 USS Nimitz (CVN-68)
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nimitz class aircraft carrier |
| Builders | Newport News Shipbuilding Company |
| Operators |  United States Navy |
| Preceded by | list error: <br /> list (help) Error: {{sclass}} invalid format code: 6. Should be 0–5, or blank (help) Error: {{sclass}} invalid format code: 6. Should be 0–5, or blank (help) |
| Succeeded by | Error: {{sclass}} invalid format code: 6. Should be 0–5, or blank (help) |
| In commission | May 3, 1975 |
| Planned | 10 |
| Completed | 10 |
| Active | list error: <br /> list (help) USS Nimitz USS Dwight D. Eisenhower USS Carl Vinson USS Theodore Roosevelt USS Abraham Lincoln USS George Washington USS John C. Stennis USS Harry S. Truman USS Ronald Reagan USS George H. W. Bush |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | Template:Nimitz class aircraft carrier displacement |
| Length |
|
| Beam |
|
| Draft |
|
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 30+ knots (56+ km/h; 35+ mph)[3] |
| Range | Unlimited distance; 20–25 years |
| Complement |
|
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament |
|
| Armor | Unknown |
| Aircraft carried | 90 fixed wing and helicopters |
The Nimitz-class supercarriers, a line of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service with the United States Navy, are the largest capital ships in the world, and are considered to be a hallmark in the superpower status of the United States of America.[4] These aircraft carriers are numbered with consecutive hull numbers starting with CVN-68. The letters CVN denote the type of ship: "CV" is the hull classification symbol for aircraft carriers, and "N" indicates nuclear-powered propulsion. The number after the CVN means that this is the 68th "CV", or large aircraft carrier.
Nimitz (CVN-68), the lead ship of the class, was commissioned on May 3, 1975. George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), the tenth and last of the class, was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company, and entered naval service on January 10, 2009. The George H.W. Bush is the first transition ship to the new Gerald R. Ford class, the first ship of which began construction in 2007 and will incorporate new technologies including a new multi-function radar system, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), volume search radars, an open architecture information network, and a significantly reduced crew requirement. To lower costs, some new technologies were also incorporated into the Ronald Reagan, the previous carrier to the George H.W. Bush.
By tonnage, the Nimitz-class warships are the largest aircraft carriers built so far, holding the world record for displacement of any naval war vessel. Nimitz Class Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers have a displacement of 102,000t, and a flight deck length of Template:M to ft.
Design and construction
The ten Nimitz class aircraft carriers were constructed between 1968 and 2006 at Newport News Shipbuilding Company, in Newport News, Virginia."Ship Class: CVN 68". 2004. Retrieved 2009-12-18. They were ordered to supplement the aircraft carriers of the Kitty Hawk class and USS Enterprise, in order to increase the size and dominance of the US Navy.[5] In total, the construction of each ship totalled around US$4.5 billion each.[5]
The design of the final seven ships (from Theodore Roosevelt) is slightly different to that of the earlier ships, although the US Navy nevertheless regards them as a single class.[6] As the older Nimitz carriers come in for Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH), they are upgraded to the standards of the latest ships.[7]
Design
All ten Nimitz class aircraft carriers have an overall length of Template:M to ft and a maximum displacement of 98,235–104,112 tons full load. They have a beam at the waterline of Template:M to ft and the maximum widths of their flight decks is 76.8–78.4 m (252 ft 0 in – 257 ft 3 in). The ship's company can number up to 3,200, as well as an air wing of 2,480.[8] Due to a design flaw, ships of this class have inherent lists to starboard when under combat loads that exceed the capability of their list control systems.[9]
All ships of the class are powered by two A4W nuclear reactors with four propellor shafts, which can produce a maximum speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h). As a result of the use of nuclear power, the ships are capable of operating continuously for over 20 years without refuelling, and are predicted to have a service life of over 50 years. Their annual service costs are around US$160 million.
Aircraft carried
The maximum number of aircraft the carriers can accommodate is 85, although current numbers are closer to 64, including 48 tactical and 16 support aircraft. Aircraft currently in operation on Nimitz class carriers include: F/A-18C/D Hornet / F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, EA-6B Prowler, E-2 Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound, SH/HH-60 Seahawk, and T-45 Goshawk (non-combat aircraft, used only for training missions) for many missions including self defense/interception, land attack/close-air support, electronic warfare, maritime strike and air crew training.
Armament
In addition to the aircraft carried onboard, the ships also carry either three or four NATO RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile launchers, designed for defense against aircraft and anti-ship missiles. They also carry either three or four
20 mm Phalanx CIWS missile defense cannons. The USS Ronald Reagan has none, having been armed with the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile system during construction, two of which have also been installed on the Nimitz, George Washington, and the Ronald Reagan. These will be installed on the other ships as they return for Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH).
Service history
The first ship of the class Nimitz first deployed to the Mediterranean sea on May 3, 1975.
In order to bring the older ships up to the more modern standards of the newer ones, as well as to refuel their nuclear power plants, they undergo a Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH). The Nimitz was the first ship of the class to undergo her initial refueling, during a 33-month RCOH at the Newport News Shipbuilding Company in Newport News, Virginia, in 1998. The Dwight D. Eisenhower was next, completing its RCOH in 2005. The Carl Vinson began its RCOH in late 2005, and completed its post-overhaul sea trials in July 2009.[7] The fourth of the class, the Theodore Roosevelt entered drydock in August, 2009 to begin its RCOH.
Ships
The United States Navy lists the following ships in the Nimitz class:[6]
.jpg)
The USS Nimitz was laid down at Newport News Shipbuilding Company, in Newport News, Virginia, on June 22, 1968. The ship was launched on May 13, 1972 and commissioned on May 3, 1975 by then president Gerald Ford.[8] Since her construction, she has participated in a number of deployments and operations, including Operation Evening Light, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In August 1981, during a deployment in the Gulf of Sidra, near Libya, the ship was involved in the shooting down of two Libyan aircraft by two US F-14 Tomcats in what became known as the Gulf of Sidra incident.
The ship began a Refuel Complex Overhaul (RCOH) on 2 March 1998, which lasted three years, until 25 June 2001. Nimitz remains in commission, as of 2009, and is based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was laid down on August 15, 1970 and was launched on October 11, 1975. After her commissioning on October 18, 1977, the ship was initially deployed as part of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.[10] Other deployments and operations include Operation Eagle Claw, Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Deny Flight and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The ship has undergone two complex overhauls: one between 1995 and 1997, and her RCOH between 2001 and 2005. She remains commission and is based, as of 2009, at the Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.
_returns_to_Bremerton,_Washington_(USA),_on_23_January_2002_(020123-N-6436W-001).jpg)
The USS Carl Vinson was laid down on October 11, 1975 and was launched on March 15, 1980. The ship was commissioned on March 13, 1982, and in 1983, she began an eight month deployment which would relocate her to her homeport of Naval Air Station Alameda in California.[11] Her other deployments include Operation Southern Watch, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Fox, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Carl Vinson underwent RCOH between 2005 and 2009.[11] She is stationed until 2010 at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, but it was announced in 2009 that the ship would be based at NAS North Island in San Diego as the flagship of the newly established Carrier Strike Group 1 as of 2010.[12]
USS Theodore Roosevelt was laid down on October 31, 1981 and was launched on October 27, 1984. The ship was commissioned on October 25, 1986 and, since then, has engaged in operations and deployments including Operation Desert Shield, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Deny Flight, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Deliberate Force, Operation Allied Force, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Theodore Roosevelt is based as of 2009 at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia and began RCOH in August 2009. The price for the ship's RCOH is reported to be US$ 2.4 billion.[13]
USS Abraham Lincoln was laid down on November 3, 1984 and was launched on February 13, 1988. The ship was commissioned on November 11, 1989 and since then, has participated in operations and deployments including Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, Operation Fiery Vigil, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Vigilant Sentinel, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Unified Assistance. In 2006, the ship underwent a refit at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.[14] She remains in active service, as of 2009, and is based at Naval Station Everett in Everett, Washington.
_in_formation_with_Japanese_and_American_ships_during_ANNUALEX_2008_081119-N-8842M-182.jpg)
The USS George Washington was laid down on August 25, 1986 and was launched on July 21, 1990. The ship was commissioned on July 4, 1992 and has participated in operations including Operation Decisive Endeavor, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Vigilant Resolve. While being transferred to her current homeport at Yokosuka Naval Base, Yokosuka, Japan, the ship suffered a serious fire which cost $70 million in repairs.[15]
USS John C. Stennis was laid down on March 13, 1991 and was launched on November 11, 1993. The ship has participated in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle since her commissioning on December 9, 1995. She remains in active service and is beased at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington.
USS Harry S. Truman was laid down on November 29, 1993 and was launched on September 7, 1996. The ship was commissioned on and has participated in Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as providing aid after Hurricane Katrina. The ship underwent a dry-docked planned incremental availability (DPIA) refit throughout 2006 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.[16] She remains in service, based at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.
USS Ronald Reagan was laid down on February 12, 1998 and was launched on March 4, 2001. After her commissioning on July 12, 2003, the ship departed her homeport of Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California on Jan. 4, 2006 on her maiden deployment to conduct naval operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, as well as to conduct maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf.[17]
.jpg)
The final ship of the class, USS George H.W. Bush was laid down on September 6, 2003. The ship was launched on October 9, 2006 and was commissioned on January 10, 2009. The final cost of construction was reported to have been US$6.2 billion.[18] As of 2009, the ship is undergoing post shakedown availability (PSA) involving maintainence and training before she enters fully operational service in 2010.[19]
See also
References
- ^ Kuperman, Alan; von Hippel, Frank (10 April 2020). "US Study of Reactor and Fuel Types to Enable Naval Reactors to Shift from HEU Fuel". International Panel on Fissile Materials. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ Hanlon, Brendan Patrick (19 May 2015). Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors (PDF) (MSc). Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ^ Gibbons, Tony (2001). The Encyclopedia of Ships. London, United Kingdom: Amber Books. p. 444. ISBN 978-1-905704-43-9.
- ^ "Why the carriers?". Official United States Navy website. Accessed 7 March 2007.
- ^ a b Ronald O'Rourke (2005). "Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress". US Department of the Navy. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
- ^ a b "Refueling and Complex Overhaul". Northrop Grunman Corporation. no date. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b "USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) MULTI-PURPOSE AIRCRAFT CARRIER". US Naval Vessel Register. 2004. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
- ^ A Solution to the Inherent List on Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers
- ^ "USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) MULTI-PURPOSE AIRCRAFT CARRIER". US Naval Vessel Register. 2001. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
- ^ a b "USS Carl Vinson". US Navy. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
- ^ "Navy Establishes Carrier Strike Group 1". Retrieved 2009-10-08.
- ^ http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=4103 DefenseLink: Contracts for Wednesday, August 26, 2009
- ^ "Deck Department Gives Abe "That New Ship Look"". US Navy. 3/17/2007. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Navy relieves top officers on carrier Washington after fire". Virginia-Pilot. July 30, 2008. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
- ^ "Truman Begins DPIA 2006". US Navy. 1/13/2006. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "USS Ronald Reagan Departs on Maiden Deployment". US Navy. 1/4/2006. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Aircraft Carrier Named the USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned". Fox News. January 10, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
- ^ "Northrop Grumman Awarded PSA Contract for USS George H. W. Bush". Northop Grumman. June 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-19.