1972 USS NIMITZ. The name ship of the latest class of American aircraft carriers is named after Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who commanded the US Pacific Fleet in World War II. The Ronald Reagan was laid down as the ninth vessel of the class in February 1998.
NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER
The first three vessels of this class, the Nimitz (CVN68), Dwight 0 Eisenhower (CVN69 and Carl Vinson (CVN7O), were put into service in 1975, 1977 and 1982 respectively, and replaced the three outdated aircraft carriers of the Midway class. Ships from CVN71 on are sometimes placed in the Theodore Roosevelt class. All carriers of the Nimitz/ Theodore Roosevelt class are built by Newport News Shipbuilding. They have the geared turbines like the Enterprise (CVN6) the worlds first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier but they have only two reactors compared with the eight feeding the earlier carriers engines.
THE EloKa EQUIPMENT
In modern sea war, electronics have just as important a role to play as weapons and combat resources. The Nimitz has three SPS-48E, SPS 49(V)5 and Mk 23 TAS airspace surveillance radars, three Mk 91 Mod 1 MFCS weapon system radars for her NATO Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft (AA) defence missiles, four SRBOC Mk 36 six-compartment missile launchers, several SLQ-32(V)4 warning receivers and jamming transmitters, and SSTDS and SLQ-36 Nixie torpedo defence systems.
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines led by two
A4W/A 1 G pressurised water reactors giving 260,000shp
Dimensions: Length, 331.7m (10881t); beam, 40.8m (134ft)
Displacement: 91,400t (full load)
Draught: 11.2m (36.6ft)
