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 and will cost about $17.5 billion, notes UK edition with reference to 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.
His specifications, the article notes, are similar to the characteristics 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 a new multifunctional aircraft carrier provides for placement on board up to 100 aircraft. Airplanes and helicopters of five different types 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.
Storm will be equipped with an integrated system combat control. 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 airplanes and helicopters latest generation even in a storm. 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 7000 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.
Placement of anti-ship missiles on a ship (on the base permanent basis) not planned. 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 Zircon hypersonic 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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"Charles de Gaulle" is the flagship of the French Navy, the only operating aircraft carrier of the French Navy, the first French surface combatant with nuclear power 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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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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.
The navy is one of the main components armies of any power with access to the seas and oceans. Many empires, such as Great Britain, built their power thanks to a strong fleet capable of responding to any threat many thousands of kilometers from their homeland.
Of course, modern warships are very different from their ancestors. The flagship of any flotilla today is an aircraft carrier group, which allows attack and defense not only with the help of installed guns, but also with air groups located on the decks.
The presence of aircraft places demands on the size of ships. All aircraft carriers boast impressive volumes, but some of them stand out even against this background. In this article we will talk about just such ships, and also answer the question: “What is the most large aircraft carrier in the world?".
First place - Enterprise (United States of America)
This ship is the first of the aircraft carriers to have an engine running on nuclear fuel. It was launched back in 1961, but still remains the largest ship in the world in its class. The cost of building the Enterprise cost the government $450 million. The high price was one of the reasons why this series of ships is limited to just one aircraft carrier, although it was initially planned to create several more such ships.
The length of the ship is as much as 342 meters. It can accommodate about 80 aircraft. The aircraft carrier's full crew is more than three thousand people. Enterprise has 4 steam catapults. Half is located at the front of the ship, and the other half is located on the landing strips. With the help of catapults, the Enterprise is capable of lifting one aircraft into the air in a quarter of a minute.
On the contrary, landing of air groups is carried out with the help of an aerofinisher, which consists of four cables that are tensioned below deck and help the operation of special brake cylinders. In addition, the aircraft carrier has a nylon mesh that can catch the aircraft if, due to unforeseen circumstances, it overshoots the arresting position.
Second place - Nimitz (United States of America)
A more modern American aircraft carrier, which also has a powerful nuclear engine. The first ship was launched in 1975. Production continued until 2009, when the last vessel entered service. In total, 10 such ships were created during this time. The length of the ship is 330 meters. These ships were actively used during several military conflicts, including in Yugoslavia and Iraq.
The cost of one ship is four and a half billion US dollars. The aircraft carrier carries 66 ships for various purposes (48 of them are multirole fighters). The nuclear reactor installed in the ship allows it to operate for about 25 years without replacement. The state spends about $160 million annually on maintaining one aircraft carrier.
The Nimitz can be operated for more than 50 years. Today, all 10 ships are in combat service.
Third place - Kitty Hawk (United States of America)
The aircraft carrier was launched in 1955. Its length is 325 meters. These are the first ships of their class that do not have a rich arsenal of artillery, instead of which they are installed missile systems. In addition, these are the last American aircraft carriers that were not equipped with nuclear reactors. At the time of launching, the aircraft carrier had all modern electronics and a sonar station. The last ship of this line (there were four in total) was taken out of service in 2007.
Fourth place - Forrestal (United States of America)
Another American aircraft carrier, one of the largest. Its length is 320 meters. Forrestal was created for the needs of jet aviation after the end of World War II, the experience of which was taken into account when creating the ship. The first vessel of the line was launched in 1955. Interestingly, this aircraft carrier was considered unlucky among American sailors and received many mocking nicknames due to the large number of accidents associated with fires on the ship. One of them killed about 135 people.
The last ship of the line was decommissioned in 1993. It was sold at auction for one center, since there was no one willing to buy it, except for one single company.
Fifth place - John Kennedy (United States of America)
Having received its name in honor of the famous American president, this ship was launched in 1968. Its length is 320 meters. This ship is a Kitty Hawk class ship. Just like other ships, it did not have a nuclear engine (although installation was initially planned). Instead, gas turbine equipment was used.
The carrier spent most of its time in the Mediterranean, performing various missions there during the Cold War. The ship served for about 40 years and during this time underwent several major repairs. The ship was not considered the most successful in the navy, as it suffered several collisions during its operation.
The largest accident occurred in 1975 as a result of a collision between a ship and a cruiser, which was almost completely destroyed by the impact.
John Kennedy was removed from service in 2007, and a whole ceremony was organized to see him off.
The aircraft carrier also became a movie star. It is he who is depicted in the 2012 film falling on the White House.
Sixth place - Midway (United States of America)
It's not only large aircraft carrier, produced in the year the Second World War ended, but also the first heavy aircraft carrier in the American Navy. The ship was in operation for 50 years. During this time, he took part in several military operations in the country, including Vietnam and Iraq.
Midway left service in 1992, and five years later a huge fleet museum was created on its base. The length of the ship is 305 meters.
In addition, the ship took part in the famous rescue operation at the end of the Vietnam War, when the Viet Cong captured the capital of the southerners. In order to land a plane loaded with refugees fleeing imminent reprisals and a totalitarian regime, the crew of the aircraft carrier dropped the helicopters on board, worth a total of over 10 million dollars, into the water. This operation entered the pages of US military glory.
Seventh place - Admiral Kuznetsov (USSR, Russian Federation)
The most powerful aircraft-carrying ship in the USSR and Russia. The ship was created in Nikolaev and received the name of the famous Soviet admiral. After the collapse of the USSR, it became part of the Russian Navy. Today he serves as part of the northern fleet. It houses fighter jets and anti-submarine helicopters.
The ship was laid down in 1982, and it was launched in 1985. It is interesting that at the time of laying it was given the name “Riga”, and at the time of the first launch - “Leonid Brezhnev”. After the launch, work continued on building the ship on the water. In 1989, the ship, still unfinished, went to sea to conduct tests with aircraft. In 1990, construction was completed and the ship was renamed again.
It is currently undergoing major renovation. Already this summer, the ship is planning to sail to the Mediterranean Sea, most likely to the shores of the Syrian Arab Republic. The length of the ship is 300 meters.
Eighth place - Lexington (United States of America)
The oldest aircraft carrier on this list. A total of two ships of this type were produced, both of which took an active part in the beginning (for the USA) of World War II. One of the aircraft carriers was destroyed in the spring of 1942 during heavy fighting with the Japanese. The second ship, despite numerous damages, survived the war and was scuttled after participating in the test nuclear weapons in 1946.
Lexington was capable of accommodating 63 aircraft. Most of them were fighters, as well as reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft carriers of this series appeared as a result of heated debates between American military experts. At that time there was a conflict between two opinions about the future of naval battles. One part of the experts advocated the creation of coastal airfields and powerful battleships, since they believed that airplanes were not good enough at destroying ships. The other part insisted on creating powerful aircraft carrier groups, giving them a decisive role in future battles. As a result of tests carried out using captured German ships, the second point of view won, and, as the Second World War confirmed, it was quite justified.
Ninth place - Varyag (USSR, Ukraine, China)
Another long aircraft carrier belonging to the Soviet Union. The history of "Varyag" is indeed interesting. Its construction began in Nikolaev in 1986. Two years later it was already launched, after which work on it continued on the water. After the USSR ceased to exist, the ship went to the Ukrainian Navy, but since then it has not been used, cash injections into it stopped, and the necessary repair work was not carried out, so the ship slowly degraded.
As a result, Varyag was sold to a Chinese company for $20 million, which is much lower than its actual cost. The buyers stated that they planned to create on its basis Entertainment Center. However, the ship was subsequently completed as a warship. It was renamed Liaoning and is now successfully performing combat missions as part of the Chinese Navy.
Tenth place - Shinano (Japan)
The longest Japanese aircraft carrier of World War II. Initially, she was built as a battleship, but after the first serious defeat against American Navy in 1941, the Japanese command decided to rely on aircraft carrier groups, seeing the advantage American aircraft carriers enjoyed on the water.
The ship was completed after one year. At that time it was the most protected aircraft carrier. Containers for storing aviation fuel were especially well protected, which, if hit by an enemy shell, could destroy the entire ship.
The Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carriers are the successor to the Nimitz class aircraft carriers. It is expected that a total of 9-10 new aircraft carriers of this class will be built. These will be the largest and most powerful warships ever built. These aircraft carriers will be the main striking force of the US Navy throughout the 21st century.
The Ford class hull design is similar to the Nimitz class. The new aircraft carriers will have a smaller, redesigned island and be equipped with more automated and efficient surveillance and control systems. It will be able to carry an air group of 85 aircraft, helicopters or unmanned aerial vehicles. It will include the F-35 JSF and F/A-18E/F, EA-18g, E-2D Advanced electronic warfare aircraft, MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters.
2. Nimitz (USA)
A total of 10 aircraft carriers of this class were built, including 3 according to the original design and 7 according to the improved one. These were the largest warships of their time. Nuclear-powered, they can carry 80 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, mainly F/A-18E/F, EA-6B Prowlers electronic warfare aircraft, E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft and MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters.
The Nimitz class has automated systems self-defense against anti-ship cruise missiles through the integration and coordination of weapons and electronic warfare systems.
3. Admiral Kuznetsov (Russia)
The Admiral Kuznetsov entered service with the Russian Navy in 1991 and is smaller than American aircraft carriers but carries more powerful offensive weapons.
The absence of a catapult precludes the launch of aircraft with heavy strike weapons. This warship carries about 40 aircraft and helicopters, including Su-33 and MiG-29K, various versions of the ship's Ka-27 helicopters.
Admiral Kuznetsov is a heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser, and not just an aircraft carrier. It carries a number of offensive weapons, it is worth noting the 12 × Granit anti-ship missile launchers.
4. Liaoning (China)
"Varyag" was the second ship of the Kuznetsov class to leave the stocks in the city of Nikolaev, which is now located in Ukraine. It was laid down in 1985 and launched in 1988; after the collapse of the Soviet Union, funding for the construction of the ship stopped. The unfinished hull was eventually sold to China, where it was restored and refitted.
This aircraft carrier was commissioned by the Chinese Navy in 2012 under the name Liaoning. Liaoning can carry up to 50 aircraft and helicopters. After repairs, the Chinese ship lost all offensive heavy weapons of the Admiral Kuznetsov class. It now carries only short-range defensive weapons.
5. Queen Elizabeth (UK)
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers in the amount of 2 ships should be included in the Royal Navy of Great Britain by 2020. The first aircraft carrier was laid down in 2009 and is now being completed afloat.
The Prince of Wales sistership is planned to be commissioned by 2020. These new aircraft carriers will be the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy. They will be able to carry more than 40 aircraft and helicopters. Their main armament will be F-35B STOVL aircraft and CH-47 Chinook, Merlin and Lynx Wildcat helicopters.
6. Charles de Gaulle (France)
This is a relatively modern nuclear ship. It entered service with the French Navy in 2001. Currently the flagship of the French fleet. It is the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier built outside the United States.
Charles de Gaulle can carry more than 40 aircraft and helicopters. The air group consists of 30 Rafale multi-role fighters, there are also E-2C Hawkeye radar warning aircraft, helicopters are represented by SA 365F Dauphin or AS 322 Cougar.
A second ship was planned, but due to lack of funding its construction never began.
7. Vikramaditya (India)
The Indian Navy is represented in our Top 10 Aircraft Carriers of the World by the ship named Vikramaditya, this light aircraft carrier is a modified and refitted former Kyiv class aircraft carrier. One of the ships of this class, after conversion at Sevmash, was sold to India.
"Vikramaditya" can carry about 30 aircraft and helicopters, including MiG-29KU and MiG-29KUB, Ka-31 helicopters. The maximum air group consists of 30 aircraft and 6 helicopters.
8. Sao Paulo (Brazil)
The São Paulo is a Clemenceau-class aircraft carrier. It was originally commissioned into the French Navy in 1963 under the name Foch. The ship was sold to Brazil in 2000, where she became the new flagship of the Brazilian fleet.
Sao Paulo can carry up to 40 aircraft and helicopters. However, this aircraft carrier currently serves mainly for pilot training. His offensive capabilities are limited.
9. Cavour, Italy
"Cavour" is a light aircraft carrier, it was commissioned in 2008. It is currently the new flagship of the Italian Navy. This modern warship is designed to operate V/STOL F-35 aircraft and helicopters and can serve as a command center.
"Cavour" carries more than 20 aircraft and helicopters. Currently, V-8B Harrier IIs take off from it. In the future they will be replaced by the Lockheed Martin F-35B, the helicopters are represented by O-101, NH-90 and SH-3D.
It can transport main battle tanks and landing craft vehicles in an airplane hangar. It also accommodates a regiment of 325 Marines.
10. Chakri Narubet (Thailand)
The aircraft carrier Chakri Narubet was built in Spain. It was commissioned by the Royal Thai navy in 1997.
It can carry about 30 aircraft and helicopters. The air force includes AV-8S Matador aircraft and S-70B Seahawk, Sea King or CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
However, Chakri Naruebet lacks defensive weapons. The planned primary anti-aircraft weapons including an 8-element VLS launcher for Sea Sparrow missiles and four Vulcan Phalanx CIWS mounts have not been installed. This vessel is protected simply by Mistral short-range infrared homing missiles.
The US Navy attack aircraft carrier Enterprise (operational code CVN-65) became a first in many ways: the first nuclear-powered ship of this type, the first, though also the only, representative of the Enterprise class aircraft carriers, the first, i.e. the largest warship ever built...
Construction of the ship began on February 4, 1958 at the Newport shipyard, launched in September 1960, and entered the fleet on November 25, 1961. Enterprise's first combat mission was the blockade of Cuba in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Enterprise class aircraft carrier project was a development of the previous KittyHawk class. The cost of construction turned out to be very high - 451 million dollars, this was the reason that no more ships of this class were built.
The hull is smooth-deck, with a one-sided corner deck. The armored flight deck is integrated into the ship's load-bearing structure, providing longitudinal rigidity to the hull. The length of the flight deck is 331 m, the maximum width is 78 m. There are 4 lifts for delivering aircraft from the hangar. Up to 43 aircraft can be on deck at the same time. 3 lifts are involved in delivering ammunition.
There are 4 steam catapults for launching aircraft; a pair in the bow on the corner deck. Gas shields rising behind the catapults protect the deck from hot gases jet engines. The catapult is capable of accelerating SuperHornets to a speed of 200 km/h in 2 seconds along a hundred-meter runway, with overloads reaching 4g. Using all 4 catapults, the carrier can launch aircraft every 15-20 seconds.
Aircraft braking after landing is provided by 4 arresting devices. If they fail to completely stop the plane, then to prevent it from falling into the water, an emergency barrier is provided, which is a rising mesh.
The ship's power plant consists of 8 nuclear reactors. To increase survivability, each 2 reactors operate on a separate propeller shaft with a five-bladed 32-ton propeller with a diameter of almost 6.5 m. To increase maneuverability and reduce the radius of circulation of the ship, each propeller is equipped with its own rudder. One filling nuclear fuel may be enough for more than 10 years of service.
There were several advantages to using a nuclear plant. Firstly, the absence of the need to store a large volume of fuel for engines made it possible to increase the supply of aviation fuel to more than 9 million liters. Secondly, thanks to the absence of chimneys and large air shafts, it was possible to reduce the size of the deck superstructure (“islands”) and increase the area of the flight deck by 400 square meters. m, eliminate its smoke. Thirdly, the ammunition storage capacity increased to 2,500 tons.
But there were also disadvantages. A large number of reactors, their size, anti-radiation protection and some other reasons forced an increase in the width of the ship's hull, which, in turn, led to an increase in its length to ensure the specified speed characteristics.
Aircraft carrier characteristics:
- Maximum displacement 93284 tons
- Length 342 meters
- Waterline width 40.5 meters
- Maximum width 78.4 meters
- Draft 12 meters
- Flight deck area 18,211.5 m2
- SSU power 280,000 hp.
- Maximum speed 33.6 knots (62.2 km/h)
- Maximum capacity 5828 people
- Crew 3000 people (2700 privates, 150 senior officers, 150 middle officers)
- The flight crew is 1,800 people (250 pilots and 1,550 technical personnel).
- Armament: 3 Mk 29 NATO Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mk 15
- Home port: Norfolk, Va
Aviation group
The main weapon system of the largest aircraft carrier is the aviation group, which performs various tasks from protecting the ship to air support for ground forces and striking enemy targets.The ship hosts 8 squadrons:
- A long-range aerial reconnaissance squadron using E2C-Hawkeys.
- The squadron, using Vikings, is designed to destroy enemy submarines and refuel in midair.
- Anti-radar defense squadron. It consists of Prowlers aircraft.
- 3 squadrons of F-18 Hornets fighter-bombers.
- A squadron of multirole fighter-bombers and attack aircraft F-18 SuperHornets. Despite the similarities with conventional F-18 Hornets, this is a completely new aircraft, featuring a longer range, new weapons, new avionics, etc.
- Seahawk Helicopter Squadron. Their main tasks are to search for enemy submarines, search and rescue operations, and transport cargo and personnel between ships of the squadron.
Aircraft carrier accident
On January 14, 1969, while 140 km from Hawaii and heading to the combat zone in Vietnam, one of the missiles exploded on the take-off deck of the ship, causing a large fire and the detonation of bombs from nearby aircraft. The ship was seriously damaged, killing 27 people and injuring more than 300 people. The repair took 51 days.
Escort ships
Considering the huge firepower, the aircraft carrier is one of the main targets for enemy attacks. A small squadron of support vessels constantly escorts the Enterprise to protect it. Among them:
- Cruiser - equipped with an early warning system, capable of destroying any air target.
- Frigate – protects the aircraft carrier from enemy missiles
- Anti-missile boat - protects against homing missiles, air raids and submarines
- Supply ship - ensures the functioning of this group, supplies everything necessary, from food to ammunition.
- Submarine
End of service.
During its entire service, the aircraft carrier made 25 cruises and took part in many combat actions and operations. On December 1, 2012, it was decommissioned and is being prepared for disposal. His name will be transferred to the new ship CVN-80 (Ford class).
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