Nimitz-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Aircraft carrier |
| Subtype | Nuclear-powered fleet carrier |
| Manufacturer | Newport News Shipbuilding Company |
| Year commissioned | 1975 |
| Approx. unit cost | $10.1 billion |
| Units | CVN-68 NIMITZ, CVN-69 DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, CVN-70 CARL VINSON |
| Current operators | 🇺🇸 United States |
Description
The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are a series of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned to support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat, and ashore targets, these vessels have been a cornerstone of U.S. power projection since their inception. The class was developed to provide an improvement in capability over the earlier Forrestal-class carriers, with greater endurance and a more robust flight deck.
Derived from the earlier Enterprise, the Nimitz design incorporates advancements in technology and operational experience. The ships are powered by two nuclear reactors, providing them with high speed and endurance. Their layout is optimized for naval aviation, featuring a 4.5-acre flight deck capable of an intense operational tempo. The ships can accommodate a wide variety of aircraft, including fighters, early warning and electronic warfare aircraft, and helicopters.
Armament on the Nimitz-class carriers is primarily for defensive purposes. The carriers are equipped with NATO Sea Sparrow, Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM), and Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) for anti-aircraft and missile defense. Additionally, they carry electronic warfare systems to detect and disrupt hostile threats.
Since the commissioning of USS Nimitz in 1975, these carriers have been involved in numerous conflicts and missions, from Cold War deterrence patrols to recent operations against terrorism and piracy, including the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Technical specifications
| Nimitz | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 93700 tons |
| Range | Unlimited, except by food supplies |
| Crew | 5200 members |
| Width | 76.8 m (252.0 ft) |
| Length | 332.8 m (1091.9 ft) |
| Air Park | 10 F-14D Tomcats, 36 F/A-18C/D Hornets, 4 E/A-6B Prowlers, 4 E-2C Hawkeyes, 8 S-3B Vikings, 2 C-2A Greyhounds, 7 SH-60F/H Seahawks |
| Propulsion | 2 A 4W / A 1G reactors with a total power of 280,000 hp - 4 propellers |
| Thrust | 64000 hp |
| Armament | 3 Mk.29 Sea Sparrow launchers (VIII 3) + 4 CIWS Mk.15 Phalanx + 4 12.7 mm machine guns |
| Maximum speed | 30 knots |
Photo of Nimitz class
