In times of crisis, especially in naval warfare, one of the first questions authorities ask is the whereabouts of the aircraft carriers, as it is arguably considered the most valuable sea-based asset. Why? It serves as a pillar of power, providing all necessary operational capabilities and tactical air power on a global scale. Simply put, deploying such assets as soon as conflict arises, or even before tensions break into an ugly skirmish, could significantly change the course of whatever brewing crisis.
Superpowers such as the British and American navies have maintained aircraft carriers as far back as the early 1900s. However, its significance in sea warfare was not highlighted until Imperial Japan pulled off its elaborate surprise attack on Pearl Harbor midway through World War II. Its success in the grim offensive demonstrated the vessel’s potential and has become an important centerpiece in fleet formations.
Today, the US Navy has 11 CATOBAR (Catapulted Assisted Taken Off Barrier Arrested Recovery) aircraft carriers deployed across the globe to protect against any threats that jeopardize the free use of the sea, as well as to immediately respond to crises faced by its allies located, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Its primary roles include multi-mission attack and Anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Ten of the 11 vessels are under the venerable Nimitz-class aircraft carriers that have been serving the Navy since its lead ship was first commissioned in 1975. It preceded now-decommissioned supercarrier classes Kitty Hawk (CV-63 to 67) and Enterprise (CVN-65).
These ten nuclear-powered vessels under the Nimitz class were the largest warships ever built in the world until the USS Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) commissioning in 2017, and each ship has a service lifespan of up to 50 years with one mid-life refueling.
Built by Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding (now Northrop Grumman Ship Systems), the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was developed to supplement and simultaneously replace its predecessor as the backbone of the US Navy’s naval strength. With notes taken from the shortcomings and lessons from the aircraft carriers before her, Nimitz had several improvements and upgrades, including size, design, armor, combat systems, countermeasures, sensor technologies, and propulsion, among many others. The class’s lead ship bears the name of WWII US Pacific Fleet Commander Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the last living US Navy officer to hold the rank.
General Specifications
The gigantic carrier has a displacement of 102,000 tons when fully loaded, a flight deck length of approximately 332.9 meters, and a beam height of about 76.8 m, with over 6,000 personnel (crew and aircrew) and typically accommodates up to 60 aircraft on deck. Normally it would accommodate at least 12 F/A-18E/F Hornets, 36 F/A-18 Hornets, four E-2C Hawkeyes, and four EA-6B Prowlers on its flight deck, as well as helicopters composed of four SH-60F and two HH-60H Seahawks.
As mentioned, the carrier is nuclear-powered, outfitted with two General Electric pressurized water reactors generating four turbines of 260,000 horsepower and four shafts, allowing each ship to reach a maximum speed of over 30 knots. Meanwhile, it keeps four backup diesel with 10,720 hp in case of emergency.
Each Nimitz class’s armaments and countermeasure weapons vary but are typically mounted with Multiple NATO Sea Sparrow, Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS), and Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM). For their combat system, most are equipped with advanced combat direction systems (ACDS), with some fitted with a ship self-defense system capable of automated self-defense against anti-ship cruise missiles. The same goes for sensors. Aircraft carriers under the class have ITT SPS-48E 3-D, operating at E/F-band, Raytheon SPS49(V)5, C/D-band and Raytheon mk23 TAS, D-band for its air search radars, while it uses Northrop Grumman Norden Systems SPS-67V, operating at G-band as its surface search radar.
The lead ship Nimitz (CVN-68) was commissioned in May 1975, while the last vessel, George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), entered service in January 2009. Other ships under the class include Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN-69), Carl Vinson (CVN-70), Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), George Washington (CVN-73), John C Stennis (CVN-74), Harry S Truman (CVN-75), and Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Since entering service, most aircraft carriers have participated in major conflicts such as Operation Eagle Claw in Iran and Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As tension rises in the Indo-Pacific in recent months, some Nimitz-class warships have been deployed for monitoring and deterrence in the region, including CVN-68, CVN-70, CVN-72, and CVN-76.
Nimitz Subclass
Ships under the Nimitz subclass had their keel laying, launching, and commissioning into service in the 70s, except for USS Carl Vinson, who joined the Navy fleet in 1982. They all underwent refueling and overhaul (ROH) already between 1998 to 2009 and received upgrades to the later carriers’ standards, like fitting with more advanced radar and sonar systems.
USS Nimitz (CVN-68)
Teamwork, A Tradition
Commissioned: May 1975 (currently, the oldest serving aircraft carrier in the world)
Homeport: Bremerton, Washington
Status: In active service
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
Commissioned: October 1977
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
Vis Per Mare (“Strength From The Sea”)
Commissioned: March 1982
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
Theodore Roosevelt Subclass
Beginning CVN-71 to the last ship in the Nimitz class had a modification in structural design, radar technology, and ballistic protection, to which a subclass was created instead of having a separate category. USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Abraham Lincoln have already completed their ROH, while USS George Washington and USS John C. Stennis have been in the process since 2017 and 2021, respectively. USS Harry S. Truman, on the other hand, is reported to be scheduled for ROH sometime in 2024.
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
Qui Plantavit Curabit (“He Who Has Planted Will Preserve”)
Commissioned: October 1986
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
Shall Not Perish
Commissioned: November 1989
Homeport: San Diego, California
Status: In active service
USS George Washington (CVN-73)
Spirit Of Freedom
Commissioned: July 1992
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service (ongoing ROH)
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
Look Ahead
Commissioned: December 1995
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service (ongoing ROH)
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
The Buck Stops Here
Commissioned: July 1998
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
Ronald Reagan Subclass
Subclass Ronald Reagan was established after the ship incorporated new technologies and redesigned its flight deck to reduce costs compared to its sister ships. Meanwhile, USS George H.W. Bush featured a modernized island equipped with a new radar tower, transparent armor windows, and upgraded navigation and communication systems. It also featured a new aircraft launch and recovery system, as well as a JP-5 fuel system that enhances storage and aircraft fuel handling. Features incorporated into the tenth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is the first transition that allowed ease entry of the new class USS Gerald R Ford.
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)
Peace Through Strength
Commissioned: July 2003
Homeport: Yokosuka, Japan
Status: In active service
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)
Freedom At Work
Commissioned: January 2009
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Status: In active service
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