Description

The Weapon System

The aircraft carrier continues to be the centerpiece of the forces necessary for forward presence. Whenever there has been a crisis, the first question has been: "Where are the carriers?" Carriers support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat, and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea; and engage in sustained operations in support of other forces. Aircraft carriers are deployed worldwide in support of U.S. interests and commitments. They can respond to global crises in ways ranging from peacetime presence to full-scale war. Together with their on-board air wings, the carriers have vital roles across the full spectrum of conflict. The Nimitz (CVN 68)-class carriers are the largest warships in the world.

The Carrier Mission

• To provide a credible, sustainable, independent forward presence and conventional deterrence in peacetime,
• To operate as the cornerstone of joint/allied maritime expeditionary forces in times of crisis, and
• To operate and support aircraft attacks on enemies, protect friendly forces and engage in sustained independent operations in war.

General Characteristics

• Power Plant: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts
• Length, overall: 1,092 feet (332.85 meters)
• Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters)
• Beam: 134 feet (40.84 meters)
• Displacement: Approx. 97,000 tons (98,556.67 metric tons) full load
• Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)
• Aircraft: 85
• Cost: about $4.5 billion each
• Crew: Ship's Company: 3,200 - Air Wing: 2,480
• Armament: 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.)

Production Status, Population, and Planned Life

There are 10 Nimitz-class carriers, including two under construction. Ships and their homeport:

USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Norfolk, Va.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Norfolk, Va.
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Bremerton, Wash.
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Norfolk, Va.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Everett, Wash.
USS George Washington (CVN 73), Norfolk, Va.
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), San Diego, Calif.
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Norfolk, Va.
Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) (under construction)
George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (under construction)

Prime contractor: Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA

Office of Primary Responsibility: PMS312. Aircraft Carrier Program

R-TOC Focus Areas: (From USD (AT&L) memorandum dated May 10, 1999)

The Nimitz class carrier Pilot Program has focused on identifying the elements of TOC in Nimitz class carriers, developing TOC reduction initiatives, securing funding, and scheduling installations of the initiatives in the existing carrier fleet as well as new developmental systems. To date, the Pilot Programıs efforts to quantify TOC reductions have focused on the Smart Carrier program; in FY04 and later, ROIs from other cost reduction programs will be quantified and included in these estimates. For example, new TOC reduction initiatives developed for the new CVN 21 carrier will be considered for retrofit into the existing Nimitz class carriers.

1. Reduced demand from weapon systems via reliability and maintainability improvements

• A total of 242 potential TOC reduction initiatives have been identified, of which 45 have been quantified. Efforts are underway using fleet maintenance funds to install initiatives such as improved paints, composite materials, COTS lubricated high pressure air compressors, transient voltage surge suppressors, ventilation moisture separators, COTS incinerators and improved materials that will reduce maintenance costs.

2. Reduced supply chain response times, leading to reduced spares, system support footprint, and depot needs

• TBD

3. Competitive sourcing of product support, leading to streamlining and overhead reductions

• TBD

Links

• Navy fact sheet
• Newport News Shipbuilding
• FAS fact sheet