Displacement: full load ~104000t Dimensions: 332.8 x 76.2 x 11.3-11.9 m Aviation: full flight deck with angled deck; hangar deck;
4 elevators; 4 steam catapaults; 80+ aircraft including A-6
Intruder, A-7 Corsair
II, C-2 Greyhound,
E-2 Hawkeye, EA-6B
Prowler, F-4 Phantom
II, F-8 Crusader,
F-14 Tomcat,
F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E/F
Super Hornet, F-35 JSF,
S-3 Viking,
SH-3 Seaking
and SH-60 Seahawk Armament: 3 x Mk 29 octuple launchers for NATO Sea Sparrow,
4 x Mk 15 Phalanx CIWS; modernization replaces one Mk 29 and one
Mk15 with 2 x 21 round Mk 31 RAM launchers Propulsion: 2 x A4W reactors; steam turbines; 280,000 shp;
4 x shafts; 30+ knots Description: The US Navy is the most powerful navy to have
ever sailed the oceans and the Nimitz class carriers are the most
recognizable symbol of that power. Powered by nuclear reactors that
endow the ability to travel at flank speed all day long and carrying
more combat airpower than the air forces of most small and medium
sized air forces they can enforce US policy thousands of miles from
home. Accompanied by a variety of escorts and support vessels they
make up the USNs Carrier Strike Groups and are unmatched in the
world today. With nine vessels commissioned this class is now the
backbone of the US carrier force. The tenth vessel USS George H.W.
Bush will commission in 2008/9 and will be the last of the class.
She will feature new systems including a modernised island with
new radar tower and transparent armour windows as well as upgraded
navigation and communications systems. It will also have a new aircraft
launch and recovery system and JP-5 fuel system for improved storage
and handling of aircraft fuel. After the CVN 77 efforts will switch
to the CVN 78 class.
