Concept/Program: This was a very large carrier designed to operate in a pure nuclear strike role, flying a 100,000 pound bomber which never came to fruition. It would carry fighters only for self-defense; it had no tactical or non-nuclear role. Four ships were planned; was intended to operate in a large battlegroup made up of one CVA 58 class ship, one Midway class, and two "ultimate conversion" flush-decked Essex class ships.
This ship caused enormous controversy and was strongly opposed by the Air Force. More about this "Carriers vs. Bombers" argument, and its outcome, can be found in Death and Rebirth of the Supercarrier. Ultimately the ship was cancelled days after construction had started.
Design: The design was completely flush decked, with folding funnels and a retractable pilothouse. There were two catapults forward and lightweight "waist" catapults, one on each side amidships, angled out. The landing deck was axial, not angled. There was a heavy gun armament.
Classification: First carrier classed as CVA - attack carrier.
Concept/Program: This was a smaller design meant to replace United States following cancellation of that program. Displacement was initially planned as 60,000 tons standard. Despite their smaller size, these ships were able to carry out the same mission as CVA 58 because of advances in carrier design, and rapid advances in aircraft and nuclear weapons technology which reduced the size of nuclear strike aircraft. In addition they had a tactical (non-nuclear) role, the value of which was proven by the experience of the Korean War.
Design: The initial design for these ships included an axial flight deck, folding funnels and a retractable pilot house, for a completely flush deck. The advent of the angled deck lead to major modifications: an angled flight deck, a large, starboard-side island, and boiler exhausts trunked through the island. The first two ships were laid down to the original design but altered while under construction. The later pair of ships were redesigned to include the angled deck and other minor modifications; they were laid down to the new design. All ships were completed with a relatively heavy gun battery. The port side elevator was at the forward end of the angled deck, as a carry-over from the original axial deck arrangement, making it nearly useless.
Variations: The first two ships were completed with two large masts on the island; the aft mast was soon removed. There were minor differences between the first pair and second pair of ships. Details varied considerably, especially in later years.
Modifications: Gun armament was gradually reduced in service. All guns were removed by 1977. The large sponsons carrying the forward guns were found to be a problem in high seas and were removed from most ships. Continual upgrading of electronics systems.
Modernization: Three of the ships went through the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) during the 1980's. This program was meant to extend their original 30 year service lives to 40-45 years. The overhaul included general rehabilitation of all ship systems, upgraded electronics and new weapons systems, but not any massive changes to the ships' general configuration. Characteristics at the end of the ships' service lives were as follows: approx. 81,500 tons full load displacement, 1040 x 250 x 37 feet/317 x 76 x 11.3 meters extreme dimensions, 2 or 3 8-cell NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 Phalanx CIWS, 80 aircraft.
Classification: Initially classed as CVB, but changed to CVA prior to completion. All changed to CV when modified to operate ASW aircraft.
Operational: Saw extensive service in tactical roles and as strategic platforms.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Three ships were decommissioned early as part of post-Cold War force reductions. They were not replaced; two were put up for disposal and one was retained in reserve. Independence was replaced and decommissioned to reserve in 1998.
Other Notes: The design of this class set the pattern for at least 50 years of US carrier construction.
Evaluated C-130 for possible use as a carrier on-board delivery (COD) aircraft; a Marine Corps KC-130 made several landings and takeoffs on 30 October 1963 without use of arresting wires, catapults or JATO/RATO. Severely damaged by fire and explosion of aircraft and munitions resulting from an accidental rocket launch off Vietnam 29 July 1967. Fires burned for 13 hours, totally gutting the aft section of the ship; bombs blew seven holes in the flight deck. 21 aircraft were destroyed and 134 crew died. Repairs required 7 months; aft 5" guns were destroyed by fire and were not replaced.
Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CV 59) 30 June 1975 and subsequently modified to operate ASW aircraft. SLEP at Philadelphia Navy Yard 1/1983 to 5/1985. Completed last cruise as an operational carrier 12/1991, then replaced Lexington as the training carrier. Redesignated as an auxiliary aircraft landing training ship (AVT 59) 4 Feb 1992. It was intended that she could be returned to service as an operational carrier in one year if required.
Conducted limited training operations, then started overhaul and conversion to training role at Philadelphia Navy Yard. The AVT program was eliminated and the overhaul was cancelled mid-1993; ship decommissioned and stricken for disposal 10 September 1993. Overhaul was left incomplete and ship was stripped to support other CV/CVNs. Approved for disposal 28 Feb 1996. Museum effort at Baltimore seems unlikely to succeed. Ship stored at Philadelphia pending disposal; moved to Newport, RI for long-term storage 18 September 1998. May be preserved at Tampa, FL.
First US carrier with 1200 psi boilers; suffered major boiler problems. In general this ship was a maintenance problem throughout her career.
Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CV 60) 30 June 1975 and subsequently modified to operate ASW aircraft. SLEP at Philadelphia Navy Yard 10/1980 to 2/1983; faulty work during SLEP forced additional repairs.
Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 30 Sept 1994 at Mayport. Was in very poor condition at time of decommissioning. Museum effort at Jacksonville FL failed. Hulk towed to Philadelphia 5/95, where she was stored pending disposal. Approved for disposal 28 February 1995. Moved to Newport, RI, for long-term storage 7 August 1998. Has been extensively stripped to support other CV/CVNs.
Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CV 61) 30 June 1972 after being modified to operate ASW aircraft. Did not receive SLEP; instead underwent heavy overhaul 5/1984 to 6/1985 at Bremerton Navy Yard.
Completed last cruise 1992. Decommissioned to reserve 10 July 1993, laid up at Bremerton WA. Reported to be in poor condition.
Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CV 62) 28 February 1973. after being modified to operate ASW aircraft. SLEP at Philadelphia Navy Yard 4/1985 to mid-1988.
Replaced Midway as forward-deployed carrier in Japan, 1991. Island was extensively enlarged during SLEP and other modernizations. Replaced by Kitty Hawk 7/1998 and decommissioned to reserve 30 September 1998.
Concept/Program: A continuation of the Forrestal class with various improvements.
Class: These are sometimes referred to as "Improved Forrestal" class ships.
Design: These ships are an improved and enlarged Forrestal design. The major improvements were elimination of the forward guns and sponsons, replacement of the aft guns with Terrier missile launchers, relocation of the port side elevator from forward to aft, and rearrangement of the starboard side elevators.
Variations: America carried a sonar as completed and had other differences; her displacement was slightly higher. There are considerable detail differences among the ships.
Modifications: The Terrier launchers were removed and replaced by Sea Sparrow BPDMS launchers. Continual updating of electronics systems.
Modernization: Two ships of this class underwent SLEP. 1990's characteristics were approx. 82,000 tons full load, 1046 x 265 x 37 feet/ 318.8 x 80.7 x 11.3 meters extreme dimensions, 3 8-cell NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 Phalanx CIWS, 80 aircraft. Kitty Hawk had 2 NATO Sea Sparrow and 4 CIWS; America was approx. 85,500 tons full load.
Classification: Reclassified as CV when modified to operate ASW aircraft.
Operational: Have seen extensive service in tactical roles and as strategic platforms.
Departure from Service/Disposal: One replaced in 1995 and decommissioned 1996; others to remain in service into the next century.
Replaced Independence as the forward-deployed carrier in Japan 7/1998. Scheduled to decommission 2008; will be replaced by CVN 77.
Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CV 64) 30 June 1975 and subsequently modified to operate ASW aircraft. SLEP at Philadelphia Navy Yard 7/1990 to 3 March 1993.
Had been scheduled to replace Independence in Japan in 1998 and serve through 2008, but was found to be in worse condition than Kitty Hawk; now scheduled to decommission 2003, will be replaced by CVN 76.
Participated in U-2 launch and landing trials early in her career. Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CV 66) 30 June 1975 and subsequently modified to operate ASW aircraft. Did not receive SLEP; reported to be in poor condition during last deployment. Decommissioned to reserve 9 August 1996. Initially laid up at Norfolk; moved to Philadelphia 9/1997. Stricken for disposal 10/1998, retroactive to 9 August 1996.
Concept/Program: Continuation of Forrestal/Kitty Hawk series. Initially planned as nuclear powered CVAN, but built as CVA for cost reasons.
Class: Sometimes considered part of the Kitty Hawk class.
Design: Improved Kitty Hawk design. Major changes: Terrier eliminated, funnel is angled to starboard; incorporates some features of CVAN 65 design in protective arrangements.
Modifications: Unarmed at completion; Sea Sparrow launchers were fitted soon afterwards. Continual updating of electronics systems. Early 1990's characteristics: 81,430 tons full load, 1052 x 267 x 36.5 feet/320.7 x 81 x 11 meters extreme dimensions, 3 8-cell NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 Phalanx CIWS, 80 aircraft.
Modernization: Did not receive SLEP, but underwent Comprehensive (or Complex) Overhaul (COH), which involved roughly the same work as a SLEP; COH resulted in 20 year life extension.
Classification: Reclassified as CV when modified to operate ASW aircraft.
Operational: Following COH this ship was intended to become an "operational/reserve training carrier" with partial reserve (NRF) crew. She would have conducted pilot training operations (as a replacement for the AVT program) and would have been available for surge deployments if required. Although she did receive some NRF crew, she has continued to deploy as a "regular" carrier. It is now planned to restore her to fully "active" status, without a NRF crew component.
Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CV 67) 1 Dec 1974 after being modified to operate ASW aircraft. COH life extension at Philadelphia Navy Yard 1993 to 13 Sept 1995.
Scheduled to serve through 2018; will be replaced by CVN 79.
Concept/Program: First nuclear powered carrier; in other respects was a continuation of the CVA program. Completed without armament as a cost saving measure. World's longest warship. A second unit of the class was planned but not built due to cost.
Design: Enlarged and improved variant of Kitty Hawk class.
Modifications: Originally carried experimental phased array radars on unusual island structure; these were removed during her 1978-1982 reconstruction. Continual updating of electronics systems.
Modernization: Underwent major modernization and upgrading early 1980's. Early 1990's characteristics were 92,377 tons full load, 1102 x 248 x 39 feet/335.9 x 75.5 x 11.9 meters extreme dimensions, 2 8-cell NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 Phalanx CIWS, 80 aircraft. Underwent Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) instead of SLEP; work was more extensive than SLEP, resulted in 22 year life extension.
Classification: Reclassified CVN when modified to operate ASW aircraft.
Operational: Has seen extensive service in tactical roles and as strategic platform.
Refueled 1965. Severely damaged by fire and explosion of aircraft and munitions resulting from an accidental rocket launch off Hawaii 14 January 1969. Aft section of the ship was extensively damaged; exploding munitions blew 5 holes in flight deck. Second refueling 1969-1971.
Redesignated as a multimission carrier (CVN 65) 30 June 1975 and subsequently modified to operate ASW aircraft. Major refueling and modernization at Bremerton Navy Yard 1979 to 3/1982. Island was extensively reconfigured and ship was fitted with Sea Sparrow missile launchers.
Complete reconstruction and refueling during RCOH at Newport News 12 October 1990 to 23 September 1994; additional updates required yard work through 1995. Scheduled to serve through 2013; will be replaced by CVN 78.
Concept/Program: New nuclear-powered carrier design, continuation of the CVA/CVAN series but with greater focus on tactical rather than strategic roles. There has been continual controversy about the number of ships to be built to this design; production is now scheduled to continue well into the 21st century, but CVN 77 and later ships will be of a considerable modified design. CVN 77 and later ships are listed as a separate class.
Class: Later ships sometimes known as Theodore Roosevelt class.
Design: New design; based on previous designs but with major internal changes. These ships are in a continual state of evolution; each is completed with significant improvements over the previous ship.
Variations: No two ships are identical; in particular there are major variations in electronics outfit.
Modifications: Gradual modernization of electronics and weapons during regular refits. In many respects the earliest ships have been updated to the standard of mid-production ships.
Modernization: All ships are scheduled to be reconstructed during Refueling/Complex Overhauls (RCOH) or separate refueling overhauls and Complex Overhauls (COH). All ships will be updated to the latest standards.
Classification: Early ships reclassified CVN prior to completion.
Major refits 6/83 to 9/84 and 1993-1994. RCOH at Newport News 29 May 1998 to 28 June 2001.
Major refits 28 Oct 1985 to 13 April 1987 and 9/95 to 28 January 1997. RCOH at Newport News started 22 May 2001.
Major (2-3 year) refit at Bremetron starting 1990. Scheduled for RCOH at Newport News 2005-2007.
Scheduled for RCOH at Newport News 2010-2012.
Major refit at Bremerton 11/95 to 12/96.
Concept/Program: CVN 77 will be a "transitional" ship between the standard Nimitz class ships and the new CVNX design, which will itself be based on the Nimitz design. CVN 77 will incorporate various new technologies and concepts that will be applicable to CVNX.
Class: Officially Nimitz class.
Design: The design will attempt to reduce operating and maintenance costs, reduce crew size, improve stealth characteristics, and incorporate the many technological advances that have taken place since the original CVN design was worked out. Crew size will be reduced through extensive shipboard automation, reduction in maintenance needs through the use of long-life/low-maintenance materials and equipment, reduction of administrative/paperwork overhead burdens, etc. Fueling and arming will likely see significant automation to reduce the number of personnel needed in these labor-intensive areas. Design will probably allow for rapid change-out of major components to reduce maintenance time and expense. Stealth characteristics will be enchanced by a dramatic reduction in the number of antenna carried topside, rounding and smoothing of flight deck edges, and a general "cleaning up" of the "clutter" (equipment, sponsons, superstructure, etc.) that has grown onto the original design. Designs will probably incorporate VLS for ESSM, replacing the aging NSSM launchers. CVN 77 will incorporate entirely new electrical and electronics systems.
"CVNX 1" (i.e. CVN 78) is planned for construction starting 2006 for completion in 2013, and will replace Enterprise. "CVNX 2" (i.e. CVN 79) is planned for construction starting 2011 for completion in 2018, and will replace John F. Kennedy. Further CVNX construction will continue to start replacing the Nimitz class ships approximately 2025.
