How much does an aircraft carrier weigh. Russia to build 'world's largest' aircraft carrier to compete with US

The US Navy strike aircraft carrier Enterprise (operational code CVN-65) was in many ways the first: the first nuclear-powered ship of this type, the first, however, and the only representative of the Enterprise class aircraft carriers, the first, i.e. largest warship ever built...

The construction of the ship began on February 4, 1958 at the shipyard in Newport, launched in September 1960, included in the fleet on November 25, 1961. The first combat mission in which Enterprise participated was the blockade of Cuba in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Enterprise-class aircraft carrier project was a development of the previous KittyHawk class. The cost of construction was very high - 451 million dollars, this was the reason that no more ships of this class were built.

The hull is smooth-deck, with a one-sided corner deck. Armored flight deck integrated into power structure ship, providing longitudinal rigidity of the hull. The length of the flight deck is 331 m, the maximum width is 78 m. 4 lifts are designed to deliver aircraft from the hangar. Up to 43 aircraft can be on deck at the same time. Ammunition is delivered by 3 lifts.

4 steam catapults are designed to launch aircraft; in pairs in the bow on the corner deck. Gas shields rising behind the catapults protect the deck from hot gases jet engines. The catapult is capable of accelerating SuperHornets to a speed of 200 km / h in 2 seconds along a hundred-meter runway, while overloads reach 4g. Using all 4 catapults, an aircraft carrier can launch planes every 15-20 seconds.

Aircraft braking after landing is provided by 4 arresters. If they fail to completely stop the aircraft, then an emergency barrier is provided to prevent it from falling into the water, which is a rising net.

The power plant of the ship consists of 8 nuclear reactors. To increase survivability, each 2 reactors operate on a separate propeller shaft with a five-bladed 32-ton propeller with a diameter of almost 6.5 m. To increase maneuverability and reduce the circulation radius of the ship, each propeller is equipped with its own rudder. One refueling of nuclear fuel can be enough for more than 10 years of service.

The use of a nuclear plant had several advantages. First, the absence of the need to store a large volume of fuel for engines has increased the stock of aviation fuel to more than 9 million liters. Secondly, due to the absence of chimneys and large air shafts, it was possible to reduce the size of the deck superstructure (“island”) and increase the area of ​​​​the flight deck by 400 square meters. m, to exclude its smoke. Thirdly, the cellars for ammunition increased to 2500 tons.

But there were also disadvantages. A large number of reactors, their size, radiation protection and some other reasons made it necessary to increase the width of the ship's hull, which, in turn, led to an increase in its length to ensure the specified speed characteristics.

Aircraft carrier characteristics:

• Maximum displacement 93284 tons
• Length 342 meters
• Width at the waterline 40.5 meters
• Width maximum 78.4 meters
• Draft 12 meters
• Flight deck area 18,211.5 m2
• SSU power 280,000 hp
• Maximum speed 33.6 knots (62.2 km/h)
• Maximum capacity 5828 people
• Crew 3000 people (2700 privates, 150 senior officers, 150 middle officers)
• Flight personnel 1800 people (250 pilots and 1550 technical personnel).
• Armament: 3 x Mk 29 NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 x 20mm Phalanx CIWS Mk 15
• Home port: Norfolk (Norfolk, Va)

Aviation group

The main weapon system of the largest aircraft carrier is an aviation group that performs different tasks from ship protection to air support for ground forces and strikes against enemy targets.

The ship has 8 squadrons:

• Long Range Air Reconnaissance Squadron using E2C-Hawkeys.
• The squadron, using Vikings aircraft, is designed to destroy enemy submarines and refuel in the air.
• Radar Defense Squadron. It includes Prowlers aircraft.
• 3 squadrons of F-18 Hornets fighter-bombers.
• A squadron of F-18 SuperHornets multirole fighter-bombers and ground attack aircraft. Despite the similarity to conventional F-18 Hornets, this is a completely new aircraft, featuring a longer range, new weapons, new avionics, etc.
• Seahawk Helicopter Squadron. Their main tasks are the search for enemy submarines, search and rescue operations, the transportation of cargo and personnel between the ships of the squadron.

Aircraft carrier accident

On January 14, 1969, while 140 km from Hawaii and heading for the war zone in Vietnam, one of the missiles exploded on the takeoff deck of the ship, causing a large fire and the detonation of bombs of nearby aircraft. The ship was severely damaged, killing 27 and injuring more than 300 people. Repair took 51 days.

Escort ships

Given the huge firepower, the aircraft carrier is one of the main targets for enemy attacks. A small squadron of support vessels accompanies the Enterprise at all times to protect it. Among them:

• Cruiser - equipped with an early detection system, capable of destroying any air target.
• Frigate - protects the aircraft carrier from enemy missiles
• Anti-missile boat - protects against homing missiles, air raids and submarines
• Supply ship - ensures the functioning of this group, supplies everything necessary, from food to ammunition.
• Submarine

End of service.

For the entire period of service, the aircraft carrier made 25 campaigns, took part in many hostilities and operations. Decommissioned on December 1, 2012 and is being prepared for disposal. His name will be transferred to the new ship CVN-80 (Ford type).

Russia is reportedly planning to build "the world's largest aircraft carrier" to bolster its defenses and compete with the US in this area.

The aircraft carrier "Storm" will be able to carry 90 combat aircraft on its board and will cost about $17.5 billion, the British edition notes, citing Russian media.

This ship, now known as Project 23000, could be ready by 2030. However, whether it really will become the largest aircraft carrier in the world, as Moscow claims, is a moot point.

His specifications, the article notes, are similar to the characteristics of American Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. And one of the experts even told the media that the design of the American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford will be taken as the basis of the ship, the publication claims.

According to the project, the deck of the new aircraft carrier will be the size of three football fields, and the crew will be up to 4,000 people. The ship will become so large that, according to The Independent, it will have its own zip code.

Currently, Russia has only the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, which was launched back in 1985. In terms of its capabilities, it is seriously inferior to the Storm ship.

Russian aircraft carrier of the future. Project 23000 Storm

A promising multi-purpose heavy supercarrier of the future - Shtorm (project 23000), is being developed at the Russian State Research Center named after. Krylov (St. Petersburg) in cooperation with the Nevsky Design Bureau.

The ship is aimed at performing various tasks in the far ocean and sea zones. It will be capable of delivering strikes against enemy ground and sea targets with the help of its own weapons and aircraft of the aviation group, as well as providing air defense.

The main requirements presented by the High Command of the Navy to the new Russian aircraft carrier are autonomy and mobility. The ship must transfer all the necessary equipment and equipment to Right place and in a short time frame. And the air group must provide patrols and quickly increase its presence in a given region.

At the same time, Storm should have ample opportunities both in terms of the use of carrier-based aircraft and in terms of the combat effectiveness of operations as part of heterogeneous forces. The latest aircraft carrier will be tasked with detecting and destroying enemy submarine and surface assets, attacking enemy infrastructure facilities on land, and protecting its own fleet.

The concept of a new multifunctional aircraft carrier

The concept of a new multifunctional aircraft carrier provides for the deployment of up to 100 aircraft. Aircraft and helicopters five different types will be placed and secured at the stern and bow of the aircraft carrier.

The aircraft carrier will have a practically “bare” deck. Instead of a massive tower, there are two "islands" of control (two island superstructures). This will save space on the deck and reduce the radio visibility of the ship at sea.

The aircraft carrier will be equipped with a RITM-200 two-reactor power plant with a capacity of 175 MW.

Storm will have a hybrid aircraft launch system - two electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) to accelerate aircraft and two springboards (a total of 4 launch positions on the flight deck). The length of the runway of one of the springboards will exceed 250 meters. The landing of aircraft will be provided by one arrester (a device based on a cable that dampens the landing speed). To save space, the aircraft lifts will be of vertical and swing type.

Storm will be equipped with an integrated combat control system. Electronic complex aircraft carrier will include integrated sensors, including radar stations with an active phased array antenna (radar with AFAR).

The aircraft carrier will ensure the takeoff and landing of the latest generation aircraft and helicopters even in a storm. Under the takeoff deck and in optimized control superstructures, the latest nuclear power plant, effective missile and electronic weapons will be placed. The use of missile weapons is one of the most interesting moments in determining the appearance of the future ship.

Four S-500 Prometheus modules will be responsible for the air defense of the ship at once. With such an air defense quartet, an aircraft carrier will be able to simultaneously detect, fire and destroy up to 10 airborne aerodynamic or supersonic ballistic targets at once at a distance of 800 kilometers. Air defense targets can be aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, medium-range missiles, supersonic cruise missiles and intercontinental ballistic missile warheads, as well as objects flying at speeds up to 7000 meters per second. Plus, the aircraft carrier will be equipped with two anti-torpedo protection systems.

The single-seat MiG-29K and the two-seat MiG-29KUB (4++ generation fighters) will solve the problem of air defense and gaining air supremacy, hitting targets with guided precision weapons at any time of the day and in any weather.

The placement of anti-ship missiles on the ship (on a basic permanent basis) is not planned. But this by no means prohibits the placement on an aircraft carrier (according to a good tradition), 4-8 20-foot removable containers with the Club-K missile system, or Zirkon hypersonic anti-ship missiles. The placement of 8 containers with Club-K on board the aircraft carrier means that it is armed with 32 high-precision attack cruise missiles. Container Club-K - will ensure the defeat of both surface and ground targets. The complex is a modification of the well-known Caliber missile system. Inside the containers of the complex, launchers with 3M-14, Kh-35 or 3M-54 missiles are hidden, capable of hitting both land and large surface targets at a long distance. For example, the 3M-54 missile is capable of destroying even an aircraft carrier, and the flight range of the KR 3M14 with nuclear warheads / FBCHs is 2650 and 1600 km, respectively.

The task of collecting information about the enemy and monitoring air, ground and surface space, as well as guiding aircraft to detected targets will be provided by a radar control point and a radar patrol and guidance point based on the Yak-44E aircraft. The submarines will be fought by Ka-32/Ka-27 helicopters armed with torpedoes, depth charges, missiles and mines.

The hull of the ship will be optimized so that the water resistance will be reduced by 20-30%. The latter will provide significant energy savings and the ability to increase the speed and autonomy of the ship. It should be noted that the movement of the vessel with a drag of 30% less than that of the traditional hull contour means that with conventional power it will be possible to have a cruising range of 30% more and the fuel consumption will also decrease.

As you can see, the best developments of domestic and Western schools for creating ships of this class will be used on Storm. In the project, great importance is given to the possibilities for providing aeronautics for carrier-based aviation. For example, according to the project, the maximum width of the flight deck will exceed 80 meters, the composition of the double deck was adopted from the UK. At the same time, it is planned to create a smooth flight deck.

As an innovation, an improved aircraft carrier hull design can be singled out, which can significantly reduce water resistance and increase its efficiency and seaworthiness.

The military power of the ship is significantly enhanced by the deployment and use of an airborne early warning and guidance aircraft (AWACS) on it.

In general, it can be noted that Storm will become a multi-purpose aircraft carrier that will serve as a sea airport. In Soviet times, carrier-based aircraft performed anti-submarine, defensive and air defense missions, and the aircraft carrier was positioned as a military cruiser designed for sea attacks at long distances.

TTX aircraft carrier Storm:

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The Navy is one of the main constituent parts armies of any power that has access to the seas and oceans. Many empires, such as Great Britain, for example, have built their power thanks to a strong fleet capable of responding to any threat many thousands of kilometers from their native land.

Of course, modern warships are very different from their ancestors. The flagship of any flotilla today is an aircraft carrier group, which allows attacking and defending not only with the help of installed guns, but also with air groups placed on the decks.

The presence of aircraft imposes requirements on the size of ships. All aircraft carriers boast impressive volumes, but some of them stand out even against this background. In this article, we will talk about just such ships, and also answer the question: “What is the most large aircraft carrier in the world?".

First Place - Enterprise (United States of America)

This ship is the first representative of the aircraft carriers with a nuclear-powered engine. It was launched back in 1961, but still remains the largest ship in the world in its class. The cost of building the Enterprise cost the state $450 million. The high price was one of the reasons why this series of ships is limited to just one aircraft carrier, although several more such ships were originally planned.

The length of the ship is as much as 342 meters. It accommodates about 80 aircraft. The total crew of the aircraft carrier is more than three thousand people. Enterprise has 4 steam catapults. Half is located in front of the ship, and the other half - on the landing strips. With the help of catapults, the Enterprise is able to lift one plane into the air in a quarter of a minute.

On the contrary, the landing of air groups is carried out with the help of an arrester, which consists of four cables that are stretched in the underdeck and help the operation of special brake cylinders. In addition, the aircraft carrier has a nylon net that is capable of catching an aircraft if, due to unforeseen circumstances, it flies over the arresting position.

Runners-up - Nimitz (United States of America)

A more modern American aircraft carrier that also has a powerful nuclear engine. The first ship was launched in 1975. Production continued until 2009 when the last vessel entered service. In total, 10 such ships were created during this time. The length of the ship is 330 meters. These ships were actively used during several military conflicts, including in Yugoslavia and Iraq.

The cost of one ship is four and a half billion US dollars. The aircraft carrier carries 66 ships for various purposes (48 of them are multirole fighters). The nuclear reactor, which is installed in the ship, allows it to operate for about 25 years without replacement. The state spends about 160 million US dollars per year on the maintenance of one aircraft carrier.

Nimitz can be operated for more than 50 years. To date, all 10 ships carry military service.

Third place - Kitty Hawk (United States of America)

The aircraft carrier was launched in 1955. Its length is 325 meters. These are the first ships of their class that do not have a rich arsenal of artillery, instead of which missile systems are installed. Moreover, these are the last American aircraft carriers on which nuclear reactors were not installed. The aircraft carrier at the time of launching had all the modern electronics and sonar. The last ship of this line (there were four in total) was decommissioned in 2007.

Fourth place - Forrestal (United States of America)

Another American aircraft carrier, one of the largest. Its length is 320 meters. Forrestal was created for the needs of jet aircraft after the end of World War II, whose experience was taken into account when creating the ship. The first ship of the line was launched in 1955. Interestingly, this aircraft carrier was considered unlucky among American sailors and received many derisive nicknames due to the greater number of accidents associated with fires on the ship. As a result of one of them, about 135 people died.
The last ship in the line was decommissioned in 1993. It was sold at auction for one center, since there was no one willing to buy it, except for one single company.

Fifth place - John F. Kennedy (United States of America)

Named after the famous American President, this ship was launched in 1968. Its length is 320 meters. This ship belongs to the Kitty Hawk class. Just like other ships, he did not have nuclear engine(although the installation was originally planned). Instead, gas turbine equipment was used.

Most of the time, the aircraft carrier was in the Mediterranean Sea, performing various tasks there during the Cold War. The ship served for about 40 years and during this time has undergone several major repairs. In the fleet, the ship was not known as the most successful, as it experienced several collisions during its operation.

The largest accident occurred in 1975 as a result of a collision between a ship and a cruiser, which was almost completely destroyed by the impact.
John F. Kennedy was removed from service in 2007, a whole ceremony was organized to send him off.
The aircraft carrier also became a movie star. It is he who is depicted in the 2012 film falling on the White House.

6th place - Midway (United States of America)

This is not only a large aircraft carrier produced in the year of the end of World War II, but also the first heavy aircraft carrier in the US Navy. The ship was in operation for 50 years. During this time, he took part in several military operations of the country, including the Vietnamese and Iraqi.

He left the Midway service in 1992, and five years later a huge fleet museum was created on its basis. The length of the ship is 305 meters.

In addition, the ship participated in the famous rescue operation at the end of the Vietnam War, when the Viet Cong captured the capital of the southerners. In order to land a plane loaded with refugees fleeing the imminent massacre and the totalitarian regime, the crew of the aircraft carrier dropped the helicopters on board into the water, total cost over 10 million dollars. This operation entered the pages of US military glory.

Seventh place - Admiral Kuznetsov (USSR, Russian Federation)

The most powerful aircraft carrier in the USSR and in Russia. The ship was created in Nikolaev and received the name of the famous Soviet admiral. After the collapse of the USSR, he became part of the Russian Navy. Today he serves in the Northern Fleet. It houses fighter jets and anti-submarine helicopters.

The ship was laid down in 1982, and it was launched in 1985. It is interesting that at the time of the laying it was given the name "Riga", and at the time of the first descent - "Leonid Brezhnev". After the descent, work continued on the construction of the ship on the water. In 1989, the ship, still unfinished, went to sea for tests with aircraft. In 1990, construction was completed and the ship was renamed again.

It is currently undergoing a major renovation. Already in the summer of this year, the ship is planned to sail to the Mediterranean Sea, most likely to the shores of the Syrian Arab Republic. The length of the ship is 300 meters.

Eighth place - Lexington (United States of America)

The oldest aircraft carrier on this list. In total, two ships of this type were produced, both took an active part in the beginning (for the USA) of World War II. One of the aircraft carriers was destroyed in the spring of 1942 during heavy fighting with the Japanese. The second ship, despite numerous damages, survived the wars and was sunk after participating in a nuclear test in 1946.

Lexington was able to accommodate 63 aircraft. Most of them were fighters, as well as reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft carriers of this series appeared as a result of heated debates between American military experts. At that time there was a conflict between two opinions about the future of naval battles. One part of the specialists advocated the creation of coastal airfields and powerful battleships, as they believed that aircraft were not good enough at destroying ships. The other part insisted on the creation of powerful aircraft carrier groups, giving them a decisive role in future battles. As a result of the tests carried out with the help of captured German ships, the second point of view won, and, as the Second World War confirmed, it is quite justified.

Ninth place - Varyag (USSR, Ukraine, China)

Another long aircraft carrier belonging to Soviet Union. The history of the Varyag is indeed of interest. Its construction began in Nikolaev in 1986. Two years later, he was already launched, after which work continued on him already on the water. After the USSR ceased to exist, the ship went to the Ukrainian Navy, but since then it has not been used, cash injections into it have ceased, and the necessary repairs have not been carried out, so the ship has slowly degraded.

As a result, the Varyag was sold to a Chinese company for US$20 million, far below its actual value. The buyers said they planned to create an entertainment center at its base. However, later the ship was completed as a warship. It was renamed "Liaoning" and is now successfully performing combat missions as part of the Chinese Navy.

Tenth place - Shinano (Japan)

The longest Japanese aircraft carrier during World War II. Initially, it was built as a battleship, but after the first serious defeat against the American fleet in 1941, the Japanese command decided to rely on aircraft carrier groups, seeing the advantage American aircraft carriers had on the water.

The ship was completed after one year. At that time it was the most protected aircraft carrier. Particularly well protected were containers for storing aviation fuel, which, if hit by an enemy projectile, could destroy the entire ship.

In this review, I would like to talk about one of the mandatory attributes of military superpowers - aircraft carriers. To have one in your arsenal is a high-status, albeit not cheap, task.

Currently, there are only 10 countries that have aircraft carriers in their navies. In total, there are 22 active aircraft carriers (21, except for the unused American Enterprise and Vikramaditya, which has not yet been transferred to India).

The undisputed first place in the number of aircraft carriers is occupied by the United States. This country boasts 11 ships in service.

Second place with 2 aircraft carriers in service each is shared by Italy and Spain.

The third place is occupied by a group of countries that currently have 1 aircraft carrier at their disposal. These are Russia, China, Brazil, France, Thailand, India (will join the second group with 2 aircraft carriers in the near future) and the UK.

Considering the relatively small number of operating aircraft carriers, here is a list of them, in order of commissioning:

1. Enterprise, USA (not used since December 2012, due to be decommissioned in March 2013)
2. Nimitz, USA
3. , USA
4. Carl Vinson, USA
5. Illustrations, UK
6. Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italy
7. Theodore Roosevelt, USA
8. Viraat, India
9. Prince of Asturias, Spain
10. Abraham Lincoln, USA
11. Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia
12. George Washington, USA
13. John Stennis, USA
14. Harry Truman, USA
15. Chakri Narubet, Thailand
16. Sao Paulo, Brazil
17. Charles de Gaulle, France
18. Ronald Reagan, USA
19. Count Cavour, Italy
20. George Bush, USA
21. Juan Carlos, Spain
22. Liaoning, China
23. Vikramaditya, India (not completed yet)

We start our series of publications with nuclear aircraft carrier The US Navy is the oldest operating aircraft carrier.

US Navy aircraft carrier Nimitz

Aircraft carrier Nimitz(USS Nimitz (CVN-68)) was laid down back in 1968, launched in 1972 and commissioned in 1975. Named in honor of Chester William Nimitz - Admiral of the Fleet, Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet during World War II, the man who signed the act of surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945 on behalf of the United States.

"Nimitz" participated in operations "Eagle's Claw", "Desert Storm" and in the war in Iraq. Provided security for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers were the largest warships produced in the 20th century.

Name: USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

Nickname: Old Salt (experienced sailor, "sea wolf")

Classification: Nimitz-class supercarrier

Manufacturer: Newport News Shipbuilding

Lifetime: until 2025 (50 years)

Approximate cost:$4.5 billion commissioned at 1975 prices (approximately $8.3 billion at 2007 prices)

Annual operating cost:$160 million

Home port: Naval Station Everett, 47° 59′ 33.54″ N, 122° 13′ 5.79″ W

ship's motto: Teamwork, a Tradition (teamwork is a tradition)

TTX aircraft carrier Nimitz

Displacement: 98425 standard

Length: 317 m waterline
332.8 m maximum

Width: 40.8 m waterline
76.8 m longest

Draft: 11.3 m normal
12.5 m limit

Booking: secret information (thanks to those who find it!)

Engines: 2 nuclear reactor Westinghouse A4W
4 steam turbines, 4 propellers,

Power: 260,000 hp

WITHcrust: up to 31.5 knots (58.3 km/h)

cruising range: not limited

Autonomy of work: 20-25 years old

Crew: Team: 3200 people
Air wing: 2480 people

Armament

Radioelectronic	Air surveillance radar: AN/SPS-48E AN/SPS-49(V)5 Fire control radar: AN/SPQ-9B 4 × Mk 91 Sea Sparrow SAMs 4 × Mk 95 Sea Sparrow SAMs Air traffic control radar: AN/SPN-46 AN/SPN-43C Landing control radar: AN/SPN-41
Radioelectronic	EW system AN/SLQ-32A(V)4 Anti-torpedo protection system AN/SLQ-25A
Missile	2x SAM Sea RAM 2x SAM Sea Sparrow
Air group	up to 90 planes and helicopters As of 2010: 55 F/A-18С and F/A-18E/F 4EA-6B 4 E-2C 4 SH-60F 2 HH-60H

Aircraft carrier strike group Nimitz

The aircraft carrier Nimitz is part of the 11th strike aircraft carrier group (Carrier Strike Group Eleven, CSG-11), on board is the 11th air wing (Carrier Air Wing Eleven, CVW-11). Nimitz is the flagship of the battle group and the headquarters of the commander of the 23rd destroyer squadron (Destroyer Squadron 23).

Ships of the destroyer squadron DESRON-23

• USS Curts (FFG 38)
• USS Vandegrift (FFG 48)
• USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53)
• USS Pinckney (DDG 91)
• USS Sampson (DDG 102)
• USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110)
• USS Spruance (DDG-111)

CVW-11 air wing squadrons

• 154th Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154) Black Knights, F/A-18F Super Hornets
• Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) Death Rattlers, F/A-18C Hornets
• 146th Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146) Blue Diamonds, F/A-18C Hornets
• 146th Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) Argonauts, F/A-18E Super Hornets
• 142nd EW Squadron (Electronic Attack Squadron 142, VAQ-142) "Grey Wolves", EA-6B Prowlers
• 117th AWACS Squadron (Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117, VAW-117) "Wallbangers" (Wallbangers), E-2C Hawkeyes
• 6th Marine Combat Helicopter Squadron (Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 6, HSC-6) "Screamin" Indians, MH-60S
• 75th Marine Strike Helicopter Squadron (Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75, HSM-75) "Wolf Pack" (Wolf Pack), MH-60R
• 3rd Branch of the 30th Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 Detachment 3, VRC-30 "Suppliers" (Providers), C-2A Greyhounds

The current events

November 12, 2012 The aircraft carrier Nimitz, the 11th Carrier Strike Group (CSG-11) and the 11th Air Wing (CVW-11) have successfully completed joint exercises (Joint Task Force Exercise, JTFEX), according to a foreign source. These exercises were intended to test the group's ability to operate in a hostile and challenging environment with other US and coalition forces.

An integrated exercise brings together separate war zones to prepare for the upcoming deployment of a strike force.

"Nimitz, CSG-11 and CVW-11 have demonstrated tremendous resilience and competence in training missions as an integrated force in the JTFEX exercise," said Rear Admiral Pete Gumataotao, Commander of the 11th Carrier Strike Group. "Following the integrated exercise, I am confident that we are now fully operational and ready for combat in order to quickly respond to any naval operation."

More than 8,000 sailors have worked together to improve their operational skills in preparation for the upcoming deployment. At the conclusion of the exercise, US 3rd Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Gerald Beaman confirmed the readiness of the 11th Carrier Strike Group to carry out "critical combat operations" and to deploy. According to him, the CSG-11 is capable of supporting any naval strategic mission of the US Navy even before its deployment.

"I am extremely proud of the performance of the 11th Battle Group during the past two months of integrated and joint exercises," said Rear Admiral Guamataotao. "We are ready to support US Navy missions anywhere, anytime."

The US 3rd Fleet leads maritime forces in the Eastern Pacific off the West Coast of North America and is responsible for conducting realistic and meaningful exercises essential to the global effectiveness of the US Navy.

November 23, 2012 another foreign source said that technical problems had been identified on the Nimitz aircraft carrier that would keep her offshore for at least two months.

Aside from scrutiny of an aging US Navy, Nimitz's propulsion problem will leave only one aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf for the first time since December 2010.

With an estimated lifespan of 50 years, Nimitz is more than 10 years away from their eventual retirement. This lifetime is expected subject to regular maintenance and overhauls such as those performed at the Nimitz in Bremerton, Washington in 2011.

The aircraft carrier spent more than a year in port on maintenance and returned to service in March 2012, and the degree of malfunction power plant after such an extensive overhaul still subject to confirmation by the US Navy.

Meanwhile, another Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, will be weakened and cover Nimitz's rotation in the Persian Gulf. She is already in that part of the world with the US 5th Fleet in Bahrain, but will be returned to her home port in Norfolk to have her runway deck resurfaced before her return course.

The replacement schedule is part of the life of the US Navy, crew members and their families do their best to keep this in mind as they go with the flow. But it is also a violation of the life schedule of each participant in these events, the source said.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier device

May 25, 2005: The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz CVN-68 leads a group of US Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships in the Pacific

September 6, 2003: USS Nimitz CVN-68 in the Indian Ocean supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom

USS Nimitz CVN-68 in drydock

2010:USS Nimitz CVN-68 at Naval Base Coronado/San Diego, CA32° 41′ 57″ N, 117° 12′ 55″ W . Near -USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76

November 5, 2012: Aircraft carrier crew leisureUSS Nimitz CVN-68 Pie in the Face competition. Impressions of the participants of the competition (officers):

"I was sent (to competitions) from my department to take care of him and represent him with dignity... We had a good time. I was able to relax and be out for a bit working environment, change it. "

"This event was a morale booster, giving sailors the opportunity to have fun with the members of their work centers by smearing whipped cream on their faces... It's a good way to relieve the stress of sea voyages and is not a form of ridicule. It's entertainment, in its purest form."