What are the 11 U.S. Aircraft Carriers?
The United States Navy is the world’s largest naval fleet, and its aircraft carriers are the backbone of its airpower. Currently, the U.S. has a total of 11 active aircraft carriers that serve as the launching point for aircraft operations in support of naval operations around the world. In this article, we will provide an overview of the 11 U.S. aircraft carriers, highlighting their specifications, capabilities, and current deployments.
Contents
The Nimitz-Class Carriers
The Nimitz-class carriers are the mainstay of the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier fleet. There are nine carriers in this class, and they are the most heavily used and deployed vessels in the Navy.
• Nimitz-class carrier (CVN-68)
- Displacement: 97,000 tons
- Length: 1,087 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 5,000 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 75+ aircraft
• Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
- Displacement: 97,000 tons
- Length: 1,087 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 5,000 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 75+ aircraft
• Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
- Displacement: 97,000 tons
- Length: 1,087 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 5,000 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 75+ aircraft
• Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
- Displacement: 97,000 tons
- Length: 1,087 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 5,000 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 75+ aircraft
• George Washington (CVN-73)
- Displacement: 97,000 tons
- Length: 1,087 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 5,000 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 75+ aircraft
• John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
- Displacement: 97,000 tons
- Length: 1,087 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 5,000 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 75+ aircraft
• Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
- Displacement: 97,000 tons
- Length: 1,087 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 5,000 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 75+ aircraft
• Ranger (CV-61)
- Displacement: 27,000 tons
- Length: 844 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 2,500 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 65 aircraft
The Gerald R. Ford-Class Carriers
The Gerald R. Ford-class carriers are the latest addition to the U.S. aircraft carrier fleet. These vessels represent the next generation of carrier design and technology, featuring improved stealth capabilities and more advanced propulsion systems.
• Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)
- Displacement: 100,000 tons
- Length: 1,106 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 4,500 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 80+ aircraft
• John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)
- Displacement: 100,000 tons
- Length: 1,106 feet
- Speed: 30+ knots
- Crew: 4,500 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 80+ aircraft
The Early 20th-Century Carriers
The early 20th-century carriers, built between 1922 and 1945, served as the foundation of the U.S. aircraft carrier fleet during World War II. Although these vessels have since been retired, they played a significant role in the war and in the development of modern carrier aviation.
• Ling-Zhee-class carriers (CV-2, CV-3, and CV-5)
- Displacement: 19,800 tons
- Length: 792 feet
- Speed: 26.5 knots
- Crew: 2,200 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 80 aircraft
• Ranger-class carriers (CV-4, CV-6, CV-8, and CV-11)
- Displacement: 20,400 tons
- Length: 824 feet
- Speed: 26.5 knots
- Crew: 2,200 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 90 aircraft
• Yorktown-class carriers (CV-5, CV-7, CV-8, CV-9, CV-10, and CV-11)
- Displacement: 19,900 tons
- Length: 824 feet
- Speed: 26.5 knots
- Crew: 2,200 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 90 aircraft
• Essex-class carriers (CV-9, CV-13, CV-14, CV-16, CV-18, CV-19, CV-20, CV-22, CV-23, and CV-27)
- Displacement: 28,000 tons
- Length: 900 feet
- Speed: 30.5 knots
- Crew: 2,700 personnel
- Aircraft capacity: 75+ aircraft
Deployment and Operations
The U.S. aircraft carriers are constantly deployed around the world, playing a critical role in supporting national security interests, providing humanitarian aid, and participating in international naval operations. Here is a brief overview of the current deployment status of the U.S. aircraft carriers:
| Carrier | Deployment |
|---|---|
| USS Nimitz | Persian Gulf |
| USS Carl Vinson | Indian Ocean |
| USS Theodore Roosevelt | Mediterranean |
| USS Abraham Lincoln | Persian Gulf |
| USS George Washington | Atlantic |
| USS John C. Stennis | Pacific Ocean |
| USS Harry S. Truman | Mediterranean |
| USS Gerald R. Ford | North Atlantic |
| USS John F. Kennedy | North Atlantic |
The 11 U.S. aircraft carriers are an impressive testament to the United States’ naval power and capability. With their ability to deploy a wide range of aircraft, including fighters, attack jets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), they serve as the unsinkable "airborne amphibian" that allows the Navy to project airpower ashore and to conduct maritime operations around the world.
