Aircraft Carrier

Construction of the third nuclear-powered and second Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), was authorized by Congress in fiscal year 1970.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69): ARABIAN SEA (March 21, 2007) The aircraft Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conducts its first day of flight operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was underway for a scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Baker/Released)

Gerald R. Ford Class Aircraft Carrier is the next generation of carrier. The lead ship hull number will be CVN 78 and began construction in 2007 with a delivery date slated for 2015 to replace USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The second, CVN 79, is programmed to begin construction in 2012 and to be placed in commission in 2018.

While the Ford Class uses the basic hull design of the preceding Nimitz-class, it will incorporate many new design features including a new nuclear reactor design (the A1B reactor), stealthier features reducing its radar profile, electromagnetic catapults, advanced arresting gear and a reduced crewing requirement. The primary recognition feature compared to earlier supercarriers will be the more aft location of its navigation "island".

Builder: New York Ship Building Corp., Camden, NJ
Date Deployed: April 29, 1961 (USS Kitty Hawk)
Propulsion: Eight boilers, four geared steam turbines, four shafts, 280,000 shaft horsepower
Length: 1062.5 feet (323.8 meters)
Beam: 130 feet (39 meters); Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters)
Displacement: Approx. 80,800 tons (73,300.5 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)
Crew: Ship's Company: 3,150 - Air Wing: 2,480
Armament: Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts
Aircraft: 85

Ship:
USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), Yokosuka, Japan

Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, VA
Date Deployed: November 25, 1961 (USS Enterprise)
Propulsion: Eight nuclear reactors, four shafts
Length: 1,101 feet 2 inches (335.64 meters)
Beam: 133 feet (39.9 meters); 252 feet (75.6 meters)
Displacement: 89,600 tons ( 81,283.8 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5 miles per hour)
Crew: Ship's Company: 3,350 - Air Wing 2,480
Armaments: Two Sea Sparrow missile launchers, three Phalanx 20 mm CIWS mounts
Aircraft: 85

Ship:
USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Norfolk, VA

Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, VA
Date Deployed: May 3, 1975 (USS Nimitz)
Unit Cost: About $4.5 billion each
Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts
Length: 1,092 feet (332.85 meters)
Beam: 134 feet (40.84 meters); Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters)
Displacement: Approximately 97,000 tons (87,996.9 metric tons) full load
Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)
Crew: Ship's Company: 3,200 - Air Wing: 2,480
Armaments: Two or three (depending on modification) NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts: (3 on Nimitz and Dwight D. Eisenhower and 4 on Vinson and later ships of the class.)
Aircraft: 85

List of Current Ships:

The United States has become increasingly entwined in the business and security issues with the rest of the world. Our economy and security depends upon our protecting our overseas interests as well as encouraging peace and stability around the globe. Forward presence by U.S. Navy aircraft carrier battle groups and amphibious ready groups helps us accomplish this. As former Secretary of Defense William Cohen stated: "If you don't have that forward deployed presence, you have less of a voice, less of an influence." The U.S. Navy is engaged. And engaged means being there.