Ford 

The largest aircraft carriers in service in the world. Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers of the Nimitz class: technical characteristics. Reference

Russia is reportedly planning to build "the world's largest aircraft carrier" to strengthen its defense and compete with the United States in this area.

The Storm aircraft carrier will be capable of carrying 90 combat aircraft on board and will cost about $17.5 billion, the British publication notes, citing Russian media.

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

Its technical characteristics, the article notes, are similar to those 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 for 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 size will reach 4 thousand people. The ship will be so big that it will have its own postcode, The Independent reports.

Currently, Russia only has 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 Storm 23000

A promising multi-purpose heavy super-aircraft carrier of the future - Storm (project 23000), is being developed at the Russian State Research Center named after. Krylova (St. Petersburg) in collaboration with the Nevsky Design Bureau.

The ship is aimed at performing various tasks in distant ocean and sea zones. It will be capable of striking enemy ground and sea targets using 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 for the new Russian aircraft carrier are autonomy and mobility. The ship must transfer all the necessary equipment and equipment to the right place and in a short time. And the air group must provide patrols and quickly increase its presence in a given region.

At the same time, Storm should have broad capabilities both in terms of the use of carrier-based aircraft and in terms of combat effectiveness of operations as part of heterogeneous forces. The newest aircraft carrier will be tasked with detecting and destroying enemy underwater and surface assets, striking enemy infrastructure on land and protecting its own fleet.

Concept of a new multifunctional aircraft carrier

The concept of the new multifunctional aircraft carrier provides for the deployment of up to 100 aircraft on board. Five different types of airplanes and helicopters will be placed and secured at the stern and bow of the aircraft carrier.

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

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

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

The Storm will be equipped with an integrated combat control system. The aircraft carrier's electronics suite will include integrated sensors, including active phased array radars (AFAR).

The aircraft carrier will provide take-off and landing of the latest generation aircraft and helicopters even in storms. Under the take-off deck and in optimized control superstructures, the latest nuclear power plant, effective missile and electronic weapons will be located. 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 ship’s air defense. With such a quartet, the aircraft carrier's air defense will be able to simultaneously detect, fire and hit up to 10 aerial aerodynamic or supersonic ballistic targets at once at a range of 800 kilometers. Air defense targets can include airplanes, helicopters, UAVs, medium-range missiles, supersonic cruise missiles and intercontinental ballistic missile warheads, as well as objects flying at speeds up to 7,000 meters per second. Plus, the aircraft carrier will be equipped with two anti-torpedo protection systems.

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

There are no plans to deploy anti-ship missiles on a ship (on a basic permanent basis). But this does not at all prohibit the placement on an aircraft carrier (by good tradition) of 4-8 20-foot removable containers with the Club-K missile system, or hypersonic Zircon anti-ship missiles. Placing 8 containers with Club-K on board the aircraft carrier means that it is armed with 32 high-precision strike cruise missiles. Containerized Club-K - will ensure the destruction of both surface and ground targets. The complex is a modification of the well-known Caliber missile system. Hidden inside the containers of the complex are launchers with 3M-14, Kh-35 or 3M-54 missiles, capable of hitting both land and large surface targets at long range. For example, the 3M-54 missile is capable of destroying even an aircraft carrier, and the flight range of the 3M14 missile launcher with nuclear warheads/fuel warheads 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. Ka-32/Ka-27 helicopters armed with torpedoes, depth charges, missiles and mines will fight the submarines.

The ship's hull will be optimized so that water resistance will be reduced by 20-30%. The latter will provide significant energy savings and the opportunity to increase the speed and autonomy of the ship. Note that the movement of a vessel with a resistance 30% less than that of a traditional hull contour means that with conventional power it will be possible to have a cruising range of 30% more and fuel consumption will be reduced by the same amount.

As we can see, the Storm will use the best developments of domestic and Western schools for creating ships of this class. The project places great emphasis on the capabilities of providing aeronautics for carrier-based aircraft. For example, according to the project, the maximum width of the flight deck will exceed 80 meters; the double deck composition will be adopted from the UK. At the same time, it is planned to create a smooth flight deck.

As an innovation, we can highlight the improved design of the aircraft carrier's hull, which can significantly reduce water resistance and increase its level of efficiency and seaworthiness.

The military power of the ship is significantly enhanced by the placement and use of a long-range radar detection 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. During Soviet times, carrier-based aircraft performed anti-submarine, defense, and air defense missions, and the aircraft carrier was positioned as a military cruiser designed for long-range naval attacks.

Performance characteristics of the aircraft carrier Storm:

Hello. Add to friends)

Prominent American military theorist Rear Admiral Alfred Mahan once stated that the navy influences politics by the very fact of its existence. It's hard to argue with this statement. For several centuries, England was the most powerful maritime power in the world; the borders of the British Empire were drawn by the stems of its warships. However, in the 20th century, the Royal Navy gradually lost its hegemony, giving way to the United States of America as the strongest naval power.

After the end of the last world war, the United States began to actively develop its naval forces, and today this country has the largest and most combat-ready group of warships. The basis of American naval power is made up of aircraft carrier strike groups, the combat core of each of them is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. US aircraft carriers are a source of national pride for Americans and a symbol of the military power of this state. American aircraft carriers took part in almost all the conflicts waged by this state in the last and current centuries.

The first US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the Enterprise, was launched on September 24, 1960; this giant was withdrawn from the fleet only in 2012. In general, it should be noted that American naval commanders took very seriously the capabilities that a nuclear power plant gives their ships. Over several decades, many warships with nuclear weapons were built: frigates, submarines, destroyers and aircraft carriers. However, most of these ships were scrapped before the beginning of this century. The leadership of the US Navy has come to the conclusion that it only makes sense to equip nuclear reactors with submarines and new aircraft carriers. It can be added that the equipment of warships with nuclear weapons made a real revolution in military affairs, which can be compared with the invention of the steamship, propeller and metal hull.

How many aircraft carriers are currently in service? In what parts of the World Ocean are they located, what are the characteristics and capabilities of these floating airfields?

The evolution of the American aircraft carrier fleet

The idea of ​​using aviation in naval affairs appeared almost immediately after the creation of the first aircraft. Already in 1910, an American pilot took off for the first time from a ship's deck. Naval aviation, as a branch of the Navy, appeared already during the First World War. At that time, combat aircraft usually took off from the deck of a ship and landed on the water; for this they were equipped with floats. In 1917, the British built the first aircraft carrier - a specialized ship for basing and taking off warships.

In the interwar years, it was the United States that was most actively involved in creating aircraft carriers and developing tactics for using aviation at sea.

The historic attack on Pearl Harbor was carried out using aircraft based on six Japanese aircraft carriers. It should also be noted that during the attack, the American aircraft carriers were not damaged, since they were not in the harbor at that moment. This fact had a significant impact on the further course of the war in the Pacific. It can be said without exaggeration that naval aviation and aircraft carriers played a vital role in this conflict.

After the end of the war, it became clear that aircraft carriers had replaced battleships and became the main striking force at sea. It is thanks to the large number of aircraft carriers built, as well as the vast experience in their use, that the United States has become the leading naval power in the world.

The first post-war decade was marked by the appearance of jet aircraft, helicopters and bombers carrying nuclear weapons. The existing aircraft carriers of the US Navy were no longer suitable for takeoff and landing of these heavy and high-speed aircraft, so the United States began to develop projects to build “supercarriers” with a displacement of more than 60 thousand tons. However, after the end of the war, funding for the fleet was sharply reduced, some of the aircraft carriers under construction were cut into metal, and the project of a super-aircraft carrier of the United States type was never implemented.

However, the Korean War very quickly sobered up the hotheads of supporters of fleet reduction. Already at the end of this conflict, the Navy received additional funds for the development of an aircraft carrier fleet. An ambitious modernization program for the Midway and Essex class aircraft carriers was launched. At the same time, four ships of a new project, the Forrestal, were built.

In 1954, the world's first warship with a nuclear power plant appeared - the American submarine Nautilus. The idea of ​​equipping an aircraft carrier with nuclear power was in the air, and in 1961 it was realized - the nuclear giant Enterprise entered service and remained in operation until 2012. Since the new aircraft carrier turned out to be very expensive, after it was put into operation, three non-nuclear aircraft carriers of the Kitty Hawk type were built. The last aircraft carrier ship with a boiler-turbine installation was accepted into the American fleet in 1972.

In the post-war period, all American aircraft carriers were divided into several classes: amphibious helicopter carriers (LPH), light aircraft carriers (CVL), attack aircraft carriers (CVA), anti-submarine (CVS), nuclear attack (CVAN) and auxiliary air transport (AVT), which performed functions of training ships in peacetime.

In the early 60s, Essex-class ships gradually began to be decommissioned, the last of them being in service until 1976. Midway-class aircraft carriers served much longer, the last of these ships being decommissioned in the mid-1990s. The Forrestal-class aircraft carriers remained in service somewhat longer; the last two ships of this series were decommissioned in 1998.

On March 3, 1975, Nimitz (CVN-68) entered service, becoming the first of a new class of American aircraft carriers. Currently, all American nuclear attack aircraft carriers in operation are Nimitz-class. The latest of these, George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), entered service in early 2009. The total number of these ships is ten units.

Currently, the construction of a new type of aircraft-carrying ship, the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), is in its final stages. It is expected that it will be accepted into service with the fleet in April 2018 and will give rise to a new series of ships of this class. It is already called the “aircraft carrier” of the 21st century. And although in appearance it is not much different from the latest aircraft carriers of the Nimitz series, its “filling” will be much more modern. This ship has already become one of the most popular topics of discussion among naval specialists from different countries.

In recent decades, the American fleet has been rapidly changing its appearance. Currently, a radical renewal of the Navy's aviation fleet is taking place. The universally beloved F-14 Tomcat has already been withdrawn from service; its fate has been shared by the anti-submarine aircraft S-3 Viking. They were replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and in the coming years the US Navy expects to receive the latest F-35C, a state-of-the-art fifth-generation strike aircraft. It is also expected that the EA-6 Prowler electronic warfare aircraft will be completely replaced, to be replaced by the EA-18G. Significant modernization awaits the E-2 Hawkeye control aircraft, whose operation began in the mid-70s.

Another area of ​​development for naval aviation will be the increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Several years ago, the X-47B UAV made its first successful landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier.

Modern American aircraft carriers

Today, the US Navy includes ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers of the Nimitz class; in April 2018, the eleventh ship of this class is expected to be put into service - the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, which is the lead ship of the new series. It is planned that in the future aircraft carriers of this type will partially replace the Nimitz.

Nimitz (CVN-68). This ship became the first aircraft carrier of the same series, it was named in honor of the American admiral who commanded the US fleet in the Pacific Ocean during the war. The Nimitz was commissioned into the US Navy in 1975. The ship was manufactured by Newport News Shipbuilding (Virginia). The ship's home port is Kitsap, Washington.

The Nimitz aircraft carrier has a standard displacement of 98,425 tons, and the power plant includes two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors. The ship's crew is 3200 people. Maximum speed is more than 31 knots.

The aircraft carrier's armament consists of two Sea RAM air defense systems and two Sea Sparrow air defense systems. The Nimitz aviation group includes 90 helicopters and airplanes.

Nimitz is a true veteran of the American Navy, he took part in many operations, including combat ones. This aircraft carrier was involved in both Iraq campaigns.

Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Dwight Eisenhower became the second ship in the Nimitz series of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. It went into operation in October 1977. The aircraft carrier's displacement is 97 thousand tons. The ship is equipped with two reactors and four turbines. Its maximum speed is 31 knots. The size of the ship's crew is 3,200 people.

The aircraft carrier's armament consists of RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and RIM-116 anti-aircraft missile systems (two units of each). The ship's aviation group includes 90 helicopters and airplanes.

The aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower was deployed during the first Iraqi campaign (1991).

Carl Vinson (CVN-70). The third ship of the Nimitz series, it was accepted into the US Navy in May 1982. The main duty stations of the Carl Vinson are the Pacific and Indian oceans.

The aircraft carrier's displacement is 97 thousand tons, the ship's crew numbers 3,200 people, and another 2,480 people are part of the air wing. Thanks to two nuclear reactors and four turbines, the aircraft carrier can reach a speed of 31 knots. There are 90 combat aircraft and helicopters on board the ship.

The aircraft carrier Carl Vinson was deployed during the US operation in Afghanistan, as well as in the second Iraq campaign (2003).

Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The fourth aircraft carrier in the series, it entered service in October 1986. The cost of building the ship was $4.5 billion.

The design of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt has undergone a large number of improvements, and it differs quite significantly from the first three ships of its series. Some experts believe that it would be logical to separate this ship and all subsequent aircraft carriers into a separate group.

The ship's displacement is 97 thousand tons, the crew size is 3,200 people, 2,480 people are part of the air wing. The maximum speed of the ship is 30 knots, the power plant consists of two nuclear reactors and four turbines. The ship's aviation group includes 90 aircraft.

The aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt took an active part in the first Iraqi campaign; more than 4.2 thousand combat sorties were flown from its board. In 1999, this ship took part in the operation against Yugoslavia.

Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The fifth aircraft carrier of the Nimitz series, it was launched in early 1988 and entered service a year later.

The aircraft carrier has a displacement of 97 thousand tons, two nuclear reactors allow the ship to reach speeds of up to 30 knots, and the crew size is 3.2 thousand people.

The Abraham Lincoln can carry 90 airplanes and helicopters. This aircraft carrier took part in the second Iraqi campaign, and more than 16 thousand combat sorties were flown from its deck. This ship also became the first aircraft carrier on which women were allowed to serve.

George Washington (CVN-73). This Nimitz-class aircraft carrier entered service in July 1992.

The aircraft carrier's displacement is 97 thousand tons, two nuclear reactors and four turbines allow it to develop a speed of up to 30 knots, the crew number is 3,200 people, and another 2,480 people are part of the air wing.

The aircraft carrier is home to 90 combat helicopters and aircraft.

John C. Stennis (CVN-74). This is the seventh aircraft carrier of the Nimitz series; it was laid down in March 1991 and entered service with the US Navy at the end of 1995. The ship's home port is Kitsep, Washington.

The aircraft carrier's displacement is 97 thousand tons, the crew size is 5,617 people, and up to 90 aircraft can be accommodated on board. The ship's nuclear installation allows it to reach speeds of up to 30 knots.

Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). The eighth ship of the Nimitz series, laid down in 1993 and accepted into the fleet in 1998. It cost American taxpayers $4.5 billion. Home port - Norfolk.

Displacement is 97 thousand tons, the power plant consists of two nuclear reactors and four turbines, speed is 30 knots. The team size is 3,200 people, another 2,480 people are part of the air wing. Up to 90 aircraft can be based on board.

In 2018, this aircraft carrier was involved in operations against the Islamic State (banned in Russia) in Syria and Iraq.

Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). The ninth Nimitz, laid down in 1998 and accepted into service with the US Navy in 2003. The ship's home port is San Diego.

This aircraft carrier has some differences from previous ships in this series, but in general its characteristics correspond to its predecessors. A speed of 30 knots is ensured by two nuclear reactors, a displacement of 97 thousand tons, and a crew size of 3,200 people. The ship can accommodate 90 aircraft and helicopters.

George H. W. Bush (CVN-77). The last aircraft carrier of the Nimitz series. It was laid down in 2003 and accepted into the Navy in 2009. Compared to other ships in this series, significant changes were made to the design of the aircraft carrier George W. Bush. The cost of the project was $6.2 billion.

The aircraft carrier received a new “island” design with enhanced armor, new communication systems and more modern radars. Compared to its predecessors, the ship has a more advanced system for distributing and storing aviation fuel; aircraft are refueled in a semi-automatic mode. The overall level of automation of ship systems has been increased, and new gas eliminators have been installed on deck. The most important areas of the ship are protected by Kevlar armor. The team received vacuum latrines. They often fail, which is why the ship has already received the nickname “dirty” aircraft carrier.

The main characteristics of the aircraft carrier do not differ from previous ships in the series: displacement - 97 thousand tons, speed - 30 knots, aviation group - 90 aircraft and helicopters.

Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). This is the lead ship of the new series, laid down in November 2009. The aircraft carrier was launched in November 2013, currently the construction of the aircraft carrier is at the final stage, in April 2018 it should be accepted into the fleet.

This aircraft carrier is equipped with a new electromagnetic catapult, which allows aircraft to be accelerated more smoothly and launched more often. The number of possible departures from the ship's deck has been increased to 160.

The ship's two nuclear reactors produce a quarter more electricity than the power plants of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. Due to the unique degree of automation, operating costs will be significantly lower than those of previous generation ships. The seaworthiness of the aircraft carrier has also been significantly improved. The ship's visibility to enemy radars has been slightly reduced. This ship will be able to operate without refueling with nuclear fuel for 25 years, that is, almost half of its planned service life.

The Gerald Ford's displacement is more than 98 thousand tons, its maximum speed is 30 knots, and up to 75 aircraft and helicopters can be based on its deck. The ship's aviation group will include: F-35C, F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, E-2D, C-2A and MH-60R/S.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

10

It was built in 1994-1997 by the Spanish company Basan and is similar in design to the aircraft carrier Principe de Asturias, built earlier by the same company for the Spanish Navy.

Used for exclusive economic zone patrols and search and rescue operations. Its tasks also include providing air support, but in general the ship's combat effectiveness is assessed as low due to a lack of funding and rare trips to sea.

According to the media of both Thailand and many other countries, the Chakri Narubet can be considered the world's largest royal yacht, since during short trips to sea, members of the royal family are usually present on the ship, for which extensive accommodation is provided on the aircraft carrier apartments.

9


Electronic weapons include: multifunctional phased array radar AMS/Selex EMPAR, three-dimensional long-range air target detection radar, short- and medium-range air and surface target detection radar, two 76-mm fire control radars, aviation control radar, navigation Radar, hydroacoustic station for navigation and mine detection, infrared situation illumination system, infrared all-round viewing system, system for instrumental landing of aircraft on the deck.

In addition to airplanes and helicopters, it can transport troops: 415 people, up to 100 units of wheeled vehicles, or 24 main battle tanks, or 50 heavy armored combat vehicles.

8


Aircraft carrier of the Brazilian Navy, former Clemenceau-class aircraft carrier Foch of the French Navy. She was laid down on February 15, 1957, launched on July 23, 1960, and entered service with the French Navy on July 15, 1963. On November 15, 2000, she was transferred to the Brazilian Navy and, after repairs, arrived in Brazil in February 2001.

The power plant is a two-shaft steam turbine. It consists of six Laval steam boilers and two Alstom turbines.

Total power - 126,000 hp. With.

7


The aircraft carrier was built on the basis of the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov through deep modernization. After a complete reconstruction, the ship changed its purpose: instead of an aircraft-carrying anti-submarine cruiser, the ship became a full-fledged aircraft carrier.

In November 2013, the ceremonial transfer of the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (former heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov) to the Indian Navy took place in Severodvinsk. Since November 26, the ship has been making the transition from Severomorsk to the Indian naval base of Karwar. On January 8, 2014, the aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, without weapons or aircraft, arrived off the coast of Karnataka. The integration of the new ship into the Indian Navy took about four months. All this time, Russian warranty service specialists worked on the ship.

The composition of the air group has been determined: these are 14-16 MiG-29K aircraft, 4 MiG-29KUB (transferred to India on February 12, 2009), up to 8 Ka-28 helicopters, 1 Ka-31 helicopter, up to 3 HAL Dhruv (instead of 2 Ka-28) . Initially, pilots will be trained on an electronic naval aviation simulator, and after the commissioning of a similar complex - in India.

6


Charles de Gaulle is the flagship of the French Navy, the only operational aircraft carrier of the French Navy, and the first French surface combatant with a nuclear power plant. Among the aircraft carriers of other countries, excluding the United States, it is the second largest (after the Russian heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov) and the most combat-ready aircraft-carrying ship.

Maximum capacity - up to 100 aircraft for up to 7 days. Starts can be made every 30 s. However, simultaneous takeoffs and landings are not provided for by the design.

Supports the L16 tactical radio communications standard for data exchange between military units, in which it can act as a command post. In this case, he can control fighter aircraft, send them target designation data, and assign combat missions.

5


Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers are British aircraft carriers, also known under the code name CVF, being built to replace the current Invincible class light aircraft carriers. There are currently two aircraft carriers under construction (HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales).

The development of the ship's mechanical structures was fully automated. Computer simulation tools were developed by QinetiQ. The hull design was based on the required 50-year service life of the ship. A special feature of the hull was the presence of a springboard, used for aircraft with a short take-off. Since the service life of F-35 aircraft is 20 years, it was decided to leave the possibility of converting the aircraft carrier into a smooth-deck aircraft carrier designed for horizontal take-off aircraft. The hull has nine decks, not counting the flight deck. The 85,000 tonnes of steel needed to build the two aircraft carriers, costing £65 million, is being supplied by Corus.

These ships are set to be the largest ships ever built for the Royal Navy.

4


Liaoning is the first and only aircraft carrier of the PLA. It was laid down in 1985 at a shipyard in Nikolaev for the USSR Navy as the second aircraft carrier of Project 1143.6. After the collapse of the USSR in 1992, the ship went to Ukraine and construction was stopped in 1998. Purchased by China for $25 million, officially for the purpose of organizing a floating entertainment center. Towed to China and completed as an aircraft carrier. On September 25, 2012, it became part of the PLA Navy.

The design of the ship is close to the same type "Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov", most of the differences lie in the combat and electronic weapons systems used. According to reports, the P-700 Granit anti-ship missile launchers in the bow of the aircraft carrier were dismantled, and the deck silos for them were sealed in order to free up more space for placing spare parts for aircraft and helicopters of the ship's air group.

3


“Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Kuznetsov” is a heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser of Project 1143.5, the only one in its class in the Russian Navy. Designed to destroy large surface targets, protect naval formations from attacks by a potential enemy using aircraft carriers and a large number of submarines. "Admiral Kuznetsov" also has the task of supporting landing operations.

The aircraft carrier carries 12 4K-80 launchers for Granit heavy missiles. The aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" is the only aircraft carrier in the world that can be in the Black Sea, since according to the Montreux Convention, the passage of "clean" aircraft carriers through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits is prohibited, and the "Admiral Kuznetsov" has serious missile weapons and is therefore declared as " aircraft carrier."

On November 12, 2016, the aircraft carrier group began maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Syria. On November 15, 2016, from an aircraft carrier, for the first time in the history of the Russian Navy, Su-33 aircraft began to strike positions of ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in the provinces of Idlib and Homs in Syria.

2 "Nimitz" (usual)


In 1981, during discussions both within Congress and the Pentagon, it was decided to produce an improved Nimitz. In the end, 7 aircraft carriers of this type were built.

The first improved Nimitz aircraft carrier is considered to be the Theodore Roosevelt, commissioned in 1986. In 1999 he participated in the NATO war against Yugoslavia.

1


Aircraft carriers of the Gerald R. Ford class are a series of US multi-purpose nuclear aircraft carriers, the construction of which has been underway since 2009. They were created as an improved version of Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and differ from them, with comparable sizes and aircraft armament, in a reduced crew due to a high degree of automation and, as a result, lower operating costs. In addition, the new aircraft carriers are distinguished by the introduction of a number of new technologies and design solutions, in particular, elements of stealth technology. The lead ship was laid down on November 14, 2009, and its commissioning is planned for 2016. In addition, the construction of at least two ships is planned; as the Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carriers enter service, they will replace the Nimitz aircraft carriers.

As a means of air defense for self-defense, the ship is armed with Raytheon ESSM missiles with two 8-container launchers for 32 missiles each. The missiles are designed to combat high-speed, highly maneuverable anti-ship missiles. Short-range systems include RAM surface-to-air missiles from Raytheon and Ramsys GmbH.

The ship will use an improved system for storing and supplying ammunition and consumables with double-height storage facilities. The carrier's ammunition consists of missiles, artillery rounds, bombs and air-to-ground missiles for attack aircraft, torpedoes and depth charges for anti-submarine aircraft.

Aircraft carriers can easily be called the largest warships. Already from the name it is clear why such a ship is needed - along with a large number of stationary weapons and military equipment, it can accommodate various types of combat aircraft and helicopters. Airplanes need a large acceleration area - a runway, which is why all powerful aircraft carriers are huge. Every strong power strives to have at least one such ship in its inventory to ensure independence on the world stage and respect from other countries. Today, only ten countries operate such vessels.

History of the creation and development of aircraft carriers

In 1910, an American pilot was able to fly a plane from a cruiser for the first time. This year is considered the beginning of the birth of aircraft carriers. On the ship Birmingham, a special wooden platform was installed, from which it was possible to carry out acceleration and takeoff. One year later, the same pilot managed to land the plane on a ship, again equipped with a temporary enlarged platform. In the following years, the British became involved in the development of such ships and began experimenting with takeoff from a moving ship. Initially, naval aviation was to be used only on reconnaissance expeditions.

The main difficulty for the engineers was creating a sufficiently long runway. In 1915, American officers developed a special steam catapult for launching aircraft from a ship. Thanks to this, it became possible to launch aircraft equipped with military equipment. Later, electromagnetic ones were created, which made it possible to increase the size of aircraft and the volume of weapons. In addition to takeoff, there was a problem with landing, and this was not only due to the skills of the pilots, but also to the length of the landing strip. During World War I, Britain began converting its merchant ships into ships with larger decks. To brake the aircraft, they began to use special devices that have remained almost unchanged to this day. This is on the ship that the plane clung to when it landed.

In 1922, Japan launched for the first time the first ship that was originally designed as an aircraft-carrying cruiser, rather than a conversion of another ship into an analogue. 5 years later, the United States joined the list of countries with new warships with aircraft on board. During the same period, floating stations for seaplanes were actively used. Aviation took off and landed from the water, and with the help of special devices the planes were lifted or lowered onto the side of the ship.

Period of the Great Patriotic War

During the Second World War, Great Britain had 7 aircraft carriers, France had 1 aircraft carrier, the USA had 8 and Japan had 6 units. This war is rightfully considered a war of naval battles. Japan and America already had full-fledged combat aircraft carriers at that time. These countries determined that the key to victory over the enemy would be not ordinary warships, but aviation. There was no point in sending a plane across the entire Pacific Ocean. The cruisers described above provided an excellent solution. In February 1942, Japan was the first in the world to sink an American aircraft carrier. During the same period, in response to aggression, the US military, during Operation Doolittle's Raid, launched planes from the Hornet and attacked Tokyo. This story formed the basis of the plot of the popular film Pearl Harbor.

For the first time in the world, in naval battles, ships were located at long distances from each other and did not even see the enemy. Military operations were carried out using aircraft from an aircraft carrier. It was truly a war between two sea titans. After the end of the battles, the military power of the victorious countries did not stop the development of naval weapons. Thus, in 1945, Great Britain first landed a jet aircraft on board a ship. This led to a new push for aircraft carrier construction, with a new angled deck and a more powerful steam catapult for launch. The leading countries in the field of shipbuilding at that moment were considered to be the USA, England and France. In the post-war period, they began to design ships for naval battles, where combat aircraft and helicopters necessary for carrying out rescue operations were based.

Submarine aircraft carriers

During World War II, Japan used submarines with a disassembled aircraft inside. It was a rather inconvenient weapon that required lengthy assembly and disassembly. However, in the third year of the war, the plane took off from underwater and dropped two incendiary bombs in the Oregon region in America, hoping to start massive fires in the forested area. The tragedy was avoided, but the very appearance of the aggressor was sudden and seriously frightened the American authorities due to the fact that it was not clear how the enemy plane could unnoticed enter American airspace. Similar submarines were also in service with England and France.

The next stage in the development of military developments was the Korean War. The fighters that took off from the ship were the first to attack ground targets in North Korea. In 1960, America launched the first aircraft carrier with a nuclear reactor. And just two months later she notified the world about a second similar ship. The next important experiment was the circumnavigation of cruisers without refueling on shore. Today, aircraft carriers can operate for many years autonomously in the ocean without having to enter ports to refuel.

Russia also tried to keep up with other countries in military equipment. Back in 1904, the ship "Rus", purchased from the Germans, was equipped with 8 hot air balloons. However, the ship was not used in any subsequent battles. Afterwards, various aircraft carrier designs were created, but none of these projects were ever implemented. During the First World War, several ships were converted into seaplane carriers, but this technology could not be compared with the naval weapons of Britain and the United States.

In the Soviet Union, aircraft carriers were considered a weapon of aggression - in their opinion, very vulnerable aggression. The main blows during military clashes were inflicted on them. The first was launched only in 1985 and entered service in Russia in 1991.

The modern world aircraft carrier fleet includes about 1,250 aircraft and an even larger number of helicopters. Moreover, a significant part of them are based on American ships. In addition to aviation, the ships are equipped with multiple missile technology and air defense systems. The length of all aircraft carriers ranges from 182 to 342 meters. The ship's hull is made of steel, its thickness reaches several centimeters. Under the runway there are large hangars for storing aircraft and helicopters, as well as for carrying out repair work. Aircraft are moved from deck to deck using special cranes. Under the bottom of the hangars there are engine rooms and other service spaces. Considering that the main purpose of such ships is to ensure the takeoff and landing of aircraft, the command post, radar devices and antennas are located on a small so-called “island”, which is almost always located on the right side. This is due to the fact that back in the early 20th century, British military researchers proved that in the event of an unsuccessful landing, all pilots automatically turn the plane to the left when attempting a second approach.

How many aircraft carriers are there in the world?

At the moment, there are only 22 ships of this class in the world. Let's take a closer look at the current types:

  1. The first place in the number of available ships in service is , they include 11 aircraft carriers. As mentioned above, they consist of about 1000 aircraft, the length of each ship is from 250 to 331 meters, the speed is from 31 knots, the crew of each ship is from 2000 to 5000 people.
  2. Next in terms of the number of aircraft carriers are Italy and Spain - they each have 2 weapons;
  3. Third place is occupied by countries that have one such vessel each. These are Russia, China, Brazil, France, Thailand, India and the UK.

Russia has one heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser, the Admiral Kuznetsov, with a displacement of 70,500 tons and a length of 304 meters. The vessel has 24 aircraft and 42 helicopters, and its speed reaches 32 knots.

Number by country

  • USA (11 ships) - Ford type (1 ship Gerald R. Ford) - in service since May 2017. Production started in 2005, 8 years later it was launched, followed by testing and completion. The predecessor of this ship was the legendary Enterprise, which served for over 40 years and participated in many military missions carried out by America. It is now the largest aircraft-carrying cruiser in the world, costing approximately $13 billion to build—appropriately, Gerald R. Ford is also the most expensive aircraft carrier in the world.
    Type "" (10 ships) - ships with a nuclear reactor, also owned by the United States. In 1975, the first copy was put into operation, and by 2009 the tenth. Ships of this class were widely used in armed conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and Iraq. The cost of each such aircraft carrier cruiser is about 4.5 billion dollars.
  • Italy (2 ships) - "Cavour" - has been in the fleet since 2007, has 8 aircraft and 12 helicopters on board, the length of the vessel is 244 m, the speed is 30 knots.
    Giusepe Garibaldi is another flagship of the Italian fleet, launched in 1983, has a length of 180 m, and a speed of 30 knots.
  • India (1 ship) - The Indian aircraft carrier Vikramaditya was purchased from Russia in 2013. Former name "Admiral Gorshkov". The length is 274 m, the maximum speed is 32 knots, it can accommodate up to 20 aircraft and about 10 helicopters. In 2018 and 2023, two more aircraft-carrying cruisers are planned to be commissioned into the country’s Navy.
  • China (1 ship) - The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning was purchased from Ukraine in 2012 for $20 million. Former name "Varyag". Its length is 304 m, the aviation composition includes 24 fighters and 12 helicopters.
  • Spain (2 ships) - The aircraft carrier Juan Carlos is in service with the Spanish Navy, has been in service since 2010, is 230 m long, and is armed with up to 30 aircraft and helicopters.
  • France (1 ship) - The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is the flagship of the French military. Commissioned in 2001, the dimensions are 261 m in length, and includes up to 40 aircraft.
  • Brazil (1 ship) - "Sao Paulo" - the aircraft carrier has been in operation since 2001, length 265 meters, includes 14 aircraft and 11 helicopters;
  • Thailand (1 ship) - represented by the aircraft carrier Chakri Narubet - has the smallest size among existing analogues, the length is 182 meters, the aviation group consists of 14 aircraft and 12 helicopters. In operation since 1997.
  • Great Britain (1 ship) - Illustrious class - one of the oldest active aircraft carriers, participated in the Second World War. Length 205 m, 33 aircraft in service. Currently, new aircraft carriers are being prepared for launch, which should replace the current one.
  • Russia (1 ship) “Admiral Kuznetsov”, last on the list, but not in importance and power. Used since 1991, length 270m, number of aircraft: 50 planes and helicopters. Below we will look at it in more detail.

Comparison of the best aircraft carriers in the world

Let's look at ten of the most powerful and largest aircraft carriers in the world in the entire history of the existence of these ships. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

  • Enterprise (USA) - this nuclear-powered large aircraft carrier rightfully takes first place. It was put into operation back in 1961, and over the next 50 years there was no replacement for this combat monster. In the mid-20th century, it was planned to build five more of the same ships, however, given the too high cost of the vessel, it was decided to leave it in a single copy. Thanks to nuclear fuel, it can remain autonomous in the ocean for up to 13 years. The largest aircraft carrier in the world has a length of 342.3 meters, can accommodate up to 80 aircraft, and has a crew of 3,000 people. The nuclear-powered ship includes four steam catapults, which make it possible to launch aircraft one after another in 15 seconds each. Four cables were installed on the runway to help the brake cylinders function. The ship is also equipped with a special nylon mesh, which, if problems arise when braking the aircraft, will be able to catch it and prevent an accident. The ship took part in the wars with Cuba, Vietnam and Iraq. In 2012, it was withdrawn from the US Navy. After another 5 years, the legendary aircraft carrier Enterprise was decommissioned. In its place was a new ship, the Gerald R. Ford, which plans to enter service with the US Navy by 2020. Before this period, the ship will make several trips to the open sea to confirm its combat readiness. The ship cost the country approximately $13 billion, making it the most expensive aircraft carrier in the world. In terms of its armament, the ship is no different from its predecessor, but it significantly exceeds it in terms of automation, which makes it possible to reduce the number of crew. New technologies were also used to ensure that the ship remained invisible when attempting to detect it using radar.
  • Nimitz (USA) is another example of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier; its first copy was produced in 1975. The production continued until 2009. Currently, the United States has 10 such ships in service. Its length is 330 meters. Such vessels were actively used during the war in Yugoslavia and Iraq. The cost of the ship is about 4.5 billion dollars. The nuclear reactor allows the ship to sail autonomously for about 25 years. The service life is 50 years.
  • (USA) - the first such aircraft carrier was launched back in 1955. The length was 325 meters. Today, ships of this configuration are no longer in service with any country in the world. However, the ship still ranks third on the list of the largest aircraft carriers in the world.
  • (USA) - the length of the aircraft carrier is 320 meters, the specimen is known for the large number of fire-related accidents that occurred on board. As a result of one of these tragedies, 135 people burned to death. Removed from service in 1993.
  • John F. Kennedy (USA) - the aircraft-carrying cruiser is also 320 meters in length; it was withdrawn from service with the US Navy in 2007. The ship served for about 40 years, carrying out missions mainly in the Mediterranean Sea. During his service he suffered several naval collisions.
  • (USA) - length is 305 meters, was produced in 1945, was the first heavy American aircraft carrier. Since 1992 it has been withdrawn from service and today serves as a fleet museum.
  • Admiral Kuznetsov (USSR-RF) - the ship was built in the city of Nikolaev in 1985, today it is in service with the Northern Fleet of the Russian Navy, the length of the aircraft carrier cruiser is 300 meters.
  • Lexington (USA) - a ship from the period of World War II, but in 1946 it was scuttled after nuclear tests were carried out with its help.
  • Cruiser Varyag/Liaoning (USSR-Ukraine-China) - was launched in 1988 in Nikolaev. During the collapse of the Union, construction continued on board. Accordingly, the ship became the property of Ukraine, but repair work was stopped during this period. The unfinished aircraft carrier was subsequently sold to China for $20 million. Today it is in service with the Chinese Navy.
  • Shinano (Japan) - was built in 1942 and took part in the war against America. The length of the ship was 266 m - until the end of the 50s of the last century it was the largest aircraft carrier in the world. In November 1944, during a battle with the American military, the ship was sunk, along with its 1,435 crew members.

Latest Developments

According to experts, one of the latest innovations in the Navy is the development of underwater aircraft of the Russian Federation. Russia's first nuclear submarine aircraft carrier, Project 941-bis, is rumored to be ready by 2020. The idea of ​​such a vessel has been developed since 1991 at the Rubinovsky project of transport submarines. Today on the Internet you can find a model of such a submarine. However, this submarine and its structure are strictly classified; it is not possible to find out the actual dates of commissioning. One thing is certain - if it is put into service, it will be the best aircraft carrier in the world and the only nuclear-powered submarine with fighters on board.

As can be seen from the list of the largest aircraft-carrying cruisers in the world of all time, the undeniable leading place in this type of weapons is occupied by US aircraft carriers. Aircraft carriers are an important attribute in the naval forces of any country, at the same time they are one of the most vulnerable ships in large-scale battles. Such ships are indispensable when conducting combat operations with countries that do not have modern nuclear weapons. In the event of aggression from a power of equal power, aircraft carriers will remain an important, but not the main component in conducting combat operations.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier


The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, a series of American nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, are the largest military vessels in the world. The class was named after the first aircraft carrier built, the Nimitz.

The first nuclear-powered multi-purpose aircraft carrier of the Nimitz type was laid down on June 22, 1968. Construction lasted four years, the transfer to the fleet took place on May 3, 1975.

A total of 10 ships have been built since 1968. The Nimitz series of ships became the largest in the post-war period. All aircraft carriers of this type were built and continue to be built at the shipyard in Newport News, Virginia.

Main characteristics

Length: 333 m
Flight deck width: 76.8-78.4 m
Displacement: 98,235 tons, maximum 104,112 tons fully loaded
Speed: 30 knots (about 56 km/h)
Power plant: two A4W reactors, four shafts
Aviation: maximum 90 units, including 64 aircraft (including 48 strike and 16 support aircraft) and 26 deck-based helicopters
Crew: crew 3200 people + air wing 2480 people
Service life: more than 50 years
Operating time of reactors without replacing energy carriers: about 20 years.

In accordance with the classification of US Navy ships, all ships of this type have a side number, for example, the first ship of this class has the number CVN-68, where the designation CVN is a multi-purpose aircraft carrier with a nuclear power plant, and 68 is the serial number of an aircraft carrier in the US Navy.

All ships of the Nimitz class are structurally almost identical, but starting from the fourth, they have increased displacement, draft and the period between nuclear reactor fuel recharges (up to 20 years). They may differ in the composition of the air wings operating from them, the complex of electronic weapons, as well as the presence of additional equipment. For example, a training complex was installed on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, which makes it possible to practice combat training tasks on a formation scale.

Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are built according to a classical design, but at the same time have a number of features: the hull is welded from steel sheets, and the main supporting structures, including the flight deck, are made of armored steel.

The total displacement of ships of late construction (starting from CVN72) is 102,000 tons. The power plant consists of two A4G/A1W pressurized water reactors, which drive four steam turbines with a total maximum power of 280,000 hp. The turbines rotate four five-blade propellers. The auxiliary power unit consists of four diesel engines with a total power of 10,720 hp.

The ship has more than 4,000 rooms for various purposes.

The ship's crew consists of 3,184 people (203 officers) of the ship's crew, 2,800 people (366 officers) of the air group, and 70 (25) people of the carrier strike group command. In total, the ship can accommodate more than 6,000 people.

Currently, the standard air wing includes 78 aircraft and helicopters: 20 F-14B/D Tomcat fighters, 36 F/A-18 Hornet or Super Hornet fighter-bombers, 8 S-3A anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft /B "Viking" (often used as reconnaissance aircraft or flying tankers), 4 E-2C Hawkeye AWACS aircraft, 4 EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft, 4 SH-60F SeaVision ASW helicopters and 2 search HH-60H Sea Hawk rescue helicopters.

The ship's defensive armament includes three Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missile systems and four 20-mm Vulcan-Phalanx anti-aircraft artillery systems. The onboard weapons are designed to provide protection for the ship mainly from an air enemy that has broken through the long- and medium-range air defense lines of an aircraft carrier strike group. Two three-tube 324-mm torpedo tubes are used to combat torpedoes located in the wake.

Electronic equipment includes detection, air traffic control and navigation radars, SATCOM satellite communications, digital link control, electronic warfare and jamming stations, air defense systems, and the TACAN navigation system. The latter simultaneously provides up to one hundred aircraft with data on their location within a radius of three hundred miles from the aircraft carrier.

List of Nimitz-class aircraft carriers

Nimitz (CVN-68) - Entered service May 3, 1975
Dwight Eisenhower (CVN-69) – commissioned October 18, 1977
"Carl Vinson" (CVN-70) - commissioned into the fleet on May 13, 1982
"Theodore Roosevelt" (CVN-71) - commissioned into the fleet on October 25, 1986
"Abraham Lincoln" (CVN-72) - commissioned into the fleet on November 11, 1989
"George Washington" (CVN-73) - commissioned into the fleet on July 4, 1992
"John C. Stennis" (CVN-74) - commissioned into the fleet on December 9, 1995
"Harry Truman" (CVN-75) - commissioned into the fleet on July 25, 1998
"Ronald Reagan" (CVN-76) - commissioned into the fleet on July 12, 2003.

The tenth and last ship of this class, George Bush, will be launched in January 2009. The commissioning ceremony for the new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will take place on January 10 at the naval port in Norfolk (Virginia).

CVN77 will be a "transition" ship from the Nimitz class to the new CVX aircraft carriers. On this ship it is planned to test promising technologies intended for use in the CVX design. The carrier will have a redesigned hull and island, reduced radar signature, improved catapults and aircraft maintenance systems, and a reduced crew. CVN77 will replace the last US conventionally powered aircraft carrier, CV63 Kitty Hawk, which will have a service life of 47 years by 2008.