Ian
priscilla 1USS Nimitz
February 2nd 2011 02:06
USS Nimitz steams behind USNS Bridge
The Nimitz-class supercarriers are a class of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service with the United States Navy. With an overall length of 1,092 ft (333 m) and full-load displacements of over 100,000 long tons, they are the largest capital ships in the world. Instead of the gas turbines or diesel-electric systems used for propulsion on many modern warships, the carriers use two A4W pressurized water reactors which drive four propeller shafts and can produce a maximum speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h) and maximum power of around 260,000 shp (190 MW). As a result of the use of nuclear power, the ships are capable of operating for over 20 years without refuelling and are predicted to have a service life of over 50 years.
Nimitz is preparing for a 2009 regularly scheduled Western Pacific Deployment.
All ten carriers were constructed by Newport News Shipbuilding Company in Virginia. Nimitz, the lead ship of the class, was commissioned on 3 May 1975 and George H. W. Bush, the tenth and last of the class, was commissioned on 10 January 2009. Since the 1970s, Nimitz-class carriers have participated in many conflicts and operations across the world, including Operation Eagle Claw in Iran, the Gulf War, and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Propeller of a Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier
The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is the lead ship of this class. She is one of the largest warships in the world. She was laid down, launched and commissioned as CVAN-68, but was redesignated CVN 68 (nuclear-powered multimission aircraft carrier) on 30 June 1975 as part of the fleet realignment of that year.
Flight Deck
The ship was named for World War II Pacific fleet commander Chester W. Nimitz, who was the Navy’s last fleet admiral. Unlike all subsequent Nimitz class carriers, Nimitz only uses her namesake's surname. She is also the only carrier of her class and the most recent supercarrier not to be named for someone who held elective office in the United States.
*This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia pages for USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and Nimitz class aircraft carrier.
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