1960 USS ENTERPRISE. The first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world (and at the time of building the largest warship in the world) is also the eighth warship of the US Navy to bear the name Enterprise. Her predecessor was the most famous aircraft carrier of World War II.
PRECURSOR OF THE NIMITZ CLASS
The draft designs for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier were started in 1950, but had to be held up for a year in 1953 because of delays in the development of the reactor. The general arrangement of the ship was modelled on the carriers of the conventionally driven Forrestal class. The Enterprise was laid down on 4 February 1958 and was launched on 24 September 1960. On 2 December of the same year the first of her eight reactors went critical. Commissioning followed on 25 November 1961.
NINE YEARS OF SAILING TIME
The Enterprise has been modernised several times in the course of her long life. Also, her combat strength has been increased. At the end of 1967 the ship, unarmed up to that time, received NATO Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft defence missile launchers, which were complemented by three Phalanx six-barrel 20mm close-in weapons systems (CIWS). The island was altered between 1979 and 1982, and fitted with the SPS-48E and SPS-49(V)5 surveillance radar of the Nimitz class. Further modernisation measures involved the fitting of more modern information, communication and EloKa systems. During her most recent and complex overhaul of 199094, the Enterprise received her fifth set of nuclear fuel rods; the previous ones had a service life of nine years.
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Aircraft carrier
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines fed by eightA2W reactors giving 280.000shp
Dimensions: Length, 335m (1102ft); beam, 40.5m (133ft)
Displacement: 89,600t (full load)
Draught: 11.9m (36.1ft)
