The Navy is one of the main constituent parts armies of any power that has access to the seas and oceans. Many empires, such as Great Britain, for example, have built their power thanks to a strong fleet capable of responding to any threat many thousands of kilometers from their native land.
Of course, modern warships are very different from their ancestors. The flagship of any flotilla today is an aircraft carrier group, which allows attacking and defending not only with the help of installed guns, but also with air groups placed on the decks.
The presence of aircraft imposes requirements 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 representative of the aircraft carriers with a nuclear-powered engine. 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 state $450 million. The high price was one of the reasons why this series of ships is limited to just one aircraft carrier, although several more such ships were originally planned.
The length of the ship is as much as 342 meters. It accommodates about 80 aircraft. The total crew of the aircraft carrier is more than three thousand people. Enterprise has 4 steam catapults. Half is located in front of the ship, and the other half - on the landing strips. With the help of catapults, the Enterprise is able to lift one plane into the air in a quarter of a minute.
On the contrary, the landing of air groups is carried out with the help of an arrester, which consists of four cables that are stretched in the underdeck and help the operation of special brake cylinders. In addition, the aircraft carrier has a nylon net that is capable of catching an aircraft if, due to unforeseen circumstances, it flies over the arresting position.
Runners-up - Nimitz (United States of America)
A more modern American aircraft carrier that 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, which is installed in the ship, allows it to operate for about 25 years without replacement. The state spends about 160 million US dollars per year on the maintenance of one aircraft carrier.
Nimitz can be operated for more than 50 years. To date, 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 missile systems. In addition, these are the last American aircraft carriers that were not equipped with nuclear reactors. The aircraft carrier at the time of launching had all the modern electronics and sonar. The last ship of this line (there were four in total) was decommissioned 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 aircraft after the end of World War II, whose experience was taken into account when creating the ship. The first ship of the line was launched in 1955. Interestingly, this aircraft carrier was considered unlucky among American sailors and received many derisive nicknames due to the greater number of accidents associated with fires on the ship. As a result of one of them, about 135 people died.
The last ship in 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 F. Kennedy (United States of America)
Named after the famous American President, this ship was launched in 1968. Its length is 320 meters. This ship belongs to the Kitty Hawk class. Just like other ships, it did not have a nuclear engine (although the installation was originally planned). Instead, gas turbine equipment was used.
Most of the time, the aircraft carrier was in the Mediterranean Sea, performing various tasks there during the Cold War. The ship served for about 40 years and during this time has undergone several major repairs. In the fleet, the ship was not known as the most successful, as it experienced 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 F. Kennedy was removed from service in 2007, a whole ceremony was organized to send 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.
6th place - Midway (United States of America)
This is not only a large aircraft carrier produced in the year of the end of World War II, but also the first heavy aircraft carrier in the US Navy. The ship was in operation for 50 years. During this time, he took part in several military operations of the country, including the Vietnamese and Iraqi.
He left the Midway service in 1992, and five years later a huge fleet museum was created on its basis. The length of the ship is 305 meters.
In addition, the ship participated 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 the imminent massacre and the totalitarian regime, the crew of the aircraft carrier dropped helicopters on board into the water, with a total cost of over 10 million dollars. This operation entered the pages of US military glory.
Seventh place - Admiral Kuznetsov (USSR, Russian Federation)
The most powerful aircraft carrier in the USSR and in Russia. The ship was created in Nikolaev and received the name of the famous Soviet admiral. After the collapse of the USSR, he became part of the Russian Navy. Today he serves in 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 the laying it was given the name "Riga", and at the time of the first descent - "Leonid Brezhnev". After the descent, work continued on the construction of the ship on the water. In 1989, the ship, still unfinished, went to sea for tests with aircraft. In 1990, construction was completed and the ship was renamed again.
It is currently passing overhaul. Already in the summer of this year, the ship is planned 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. In total, two ships of this type were produced, both 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 wars and was scuttled after taking part in the test. nuclear weapons in 1946.
Lexington was able to accommodate 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 specialists advocated the creation of coastal airfields and powerful battleships, as they believed that aircraft were not good enough at destroying ships. The other part insisted on the creation of powerful aircraft carrier groups, giving them a decisive role in future battles. As a result of the tests carried out with the help of captured German ships, the second point of view won, and, as the Second World War confirmed, it is quite justified.
Ninth place - Varyag (USSR, Ukraine, China)
Another long aircraft carrier belonging to the Soviet Union. The history of the Varyag is indeed of interest. Its construction began in Nikolaev in 1986. Two years later, he was already launched, after which work continued on him already 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 have ceased, and the necessary repairs have not been carried out, so the ship has slowly degraded.
As a result, the Varyag was sold to a Chinese company for US$20 million, far below its actual value. The buyers said they planned to create on its basis Entertainment Center. However, later the ship was 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 during World War II. Initially, it was built as a battleship, but after the first serious defeat against US Navy In 1941, the Japanese command decided to rely on aircraft carrier groups, seeing the advantage American aircraft carriers had on the water.
The ship was completed after one year. At that time it was the most protected aircraft carrier. Particularly well protected were containers for storing aviation fuel, which, if hit by an enemy projectile, could destroy the entire ship.
The Americans are the undisputed leaders in terms of aircraft carriers, but other powers also have something to brag about. For example, the cunning Chinese recently announced the laying of their own floating airfield. In honor of this event, M PORT has compiled a rating of aircraft carriers in service with different countries.
ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV (Russia)
Main advantage Admiral- his speed. He does 35 mph with ease, so don't get in his way! It is lighter than any US aircraft carrier, but the formidable Su planes on board seem to hint that comrade Kuznetsov is not to be trifled with.
- Entered combat duty - 1991
- Displacement - 55,200 tons
- Length - 305 meters
- Autonomy - 45 days
- Crew - 1609 people
- Aviation - 12 helicopters (Ka-27), 33 aircraft (Su-33 and Su-25)
INCREDIBLE (Invincible, UK)
Until 2005 - a class of light British aircraft carriers, which proved to be excellent during the war with Argentina over the Falklands in 1982. In the 90s Indomitable supported the raids on Iraq. Since 2005, it has been replaced by Queen Elizabeth-class ships, more sophisticated but less legendary.
- Entered combat duty - 1980
- Displacement - 20 600 tons
- Length - 209 meters
- Endurance - 7000 miles
- Crew - 875 people
- Aviation - 22 aircraft and helicopters
CHARLES DE GAULLE (France)
The only aircraft carrier in France, but very serious, since nuclear. The journey can take a very long time. Carries 40 aircraft, which is a powerful strike force. In '93 on board de Gaulle an emergency happened: employees of the British Mi-6 entered the aircraft carrier under the guise of an inspection. Cunning spies managed to inspect the ship, but they were quickly captured.
- Entered combat duty - 1994
- Displacement - 42,000 tons
- Length - 261 meters
- Autonomy - 45 days
- Crew - 1900 people
- Aviation - up to 40 planes and helicopters
PRINCE OF ASTURIAN (Spain)
This aircraft carrier is so long that you can safely arrange a bullfight on its deck - 196 meters in length allow this. The pride of the Spanish fleet, and what else to do - there are no others!
- Entered combat duty - 1989
- Displacement - 16,700 tons
- Length - 196 meters
- Crew - 763 people
- Aviation - 14 helicopters, 8 aircraft (Harrier-2)
GEORGE BUSH (USS George H.W. Bush, USA).
Nimitz-class heavy nuclear aircraft carrier. There is no doubt that this toy is the best in the world. And besides, the newest: the ship was launched in 2006. For comparison, the above aircraft carriers were built in the last century.
- Entered combat duty - 2009
- Displacement - 97,000 tons
- Length - 332 meters
- Crew - 5680 people
- Aviation - 90 planes and helicopters
For reference: who shot down the first Nimitz?
The US military claims that aircraft carriers like Nimitz are completely invulnerable. However, Russian aviation has proven that this is far from being the case. The incident occurred during the US-Japanese exercises: Russian aircraft quietly flew up to the US Navy aircraft carrier kitty hawk and photographed him in all poses. The Americans did not even have time to raise carrier-based aircraft or at least fire a rocket after them. In military language, this means "conditional destruction of an aircraft carrier."
Modern shipbuilding is constantly developing in different directions. One of the main ones is the creation of powerful, fast and maneuverable warships that will be equipped with weapons latest generation. The size of aircraft carriers and cruisers is amazing. The largest of them are the property of the country's army, and some have even become a relic of history.
At the end of the article, we have prepared a surprise 🎁 - an exciting test to test your attentiveness 😃
The United States planned to build five of these ships, but due to high costs ($450 million each), the large-scale project had to be abandoned. In 1961, only one strike aircraft carrier with a nuclear power was launched in its class. power plant.
Crew - 3325 people. Thanks to nuclear fuel, the ship has the ability to serve without refueling for 13 years and sail up to one million miles during this time. This “monster” is driven by a power plant in eight A2W type reactors, with four turbines. With a scale of 342 meters in length and 78.5 in width, weapons with a total mass of more than 2,500 tons are placed on board. The stock of aviation fuel of 10 million liters ensures intensive aircraft flights for 12 days. 
Along the perimeter, the hull has a double bottom with compartments separated by transverse bulkheads. Flights are carried out on a deck area of 18.211 m2, which is equipped with four take-off steam catapults. Thanks to them, every 15-20 seconds aircrafts can instantly rise into the air. To stop aircraft, an arrester is provided in the form of stretched cables, but if for some reason it did not work, then a special rising emergency net at the end of the site is capable of stopping the aircraft.
The number of aircraft on board is up to 90 units with a staff of 1800 people. During his service in the US Navy, the Enterprise participated in more than a dozen operations, including military operations in Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq and during the Caribbean crisis. 
In the early 90s, the ship was modernized in accordance with modern requirements. In 2002, the power plant and hull plating were repaired.
Aircraft carrier - the development of the United States. Construction began in 1968. The ship turned out to be large (length 333 meters, maximum width 78), reliable and most importantly, not as expensive as its predecessor, the Enterprise. The cost of manufacturing, according to various sources, came out about several hundred million dollars. Therefore, it was decided to put the project on stream and release a total of ten such aircraft carriers. Each was given an individual number and name: No. 68 Nimitz 1968, No. 69 Eisenhower 1970, No. 70 Vinson 1975, No. 71 Roosevelt 1981, No. 72 Lincoln 1984, No. 77 Bush 2003 and others.
Nimitz is not only a big, but also a heavy ship. One ammunition is on board 1954 tons. Nuclear power plant - two nuclear reactor A4W (total power 260 thousand horsepower) and four diesel engines with 10,720 liters. With. Thus, an aircraft carrier can easily reach speeds of up to 30 knots, and stay at sea for ten years without refueling. To protect against enemy projectiles, the body is sewn up with 64 mm special Kevlar fabric.
The site for the air group is divided into several zones: the runway and runway, parking. Accordingly, each of them is equipped with special equipment. Thus, four steam catapults were installed on the runway to launch aircraft.
To protect the ship's hull from aviation jet exhaust, a barrier is provided, ventilated by supplying cold water directly from the side. Special rope brakes are installed on the landing strip, and most importantly, there is an electronic device that helps to land the aircraft on board in conditions of poor visibility without the participation of the pilot. The automatic landing system is called ACLS. 86 military aircraft are placed in the parking zone at the same time.
In case you need to repel an attack on an aircraft carrier or strike directly from standard guns, powerful weapons are located on board. These are four Vulcan Phalanx 20 mm anti-aircraft artillery systems and three Sea Sparow rocket launchers. In the process of modernization, a three-tube 324-mm torpedo tube was placed on Nimitz.
The crew of 3200 people, the composition of the air group - 2480, manages the ship, and also maintains it in combat condition. Cabins, a dining room, and a freezer room for long-term storage of food are equipped in the hold for the life of people.
Shark
The biggest military submarines are in service with Russia. These are nuclear-powered vessels of project No. 941 "Shark". Since it was planned to equip the new vessel with long-range solid-propellant R-39 three-stage missiles, which are of impressive size, the dimensions of the submarine should also correspond. The developers were LPMB "Rubin" Leningrad. After several years of construction, the commissioning took place in 1980.
A shark was depicted in front of the side, which personified power and maneuverability. Later, she became a symbol of the ship's crew and appeared on chevrons. Of the planned 12 submarines, half were made.
Interesting!
In order to reload ammunition on the Akula submarine, it was necessary to build a special electro-diesel transport vessel Alexander Brykin with a displacement of 16,000 tons.
The aircraft carrier made in the USSR has an interesting history of construction. Initially, in 1979, the engineering bureau prepared sketches for the construction of the cruiser, they were approved by S. Gorshkov (the commander of the navy at that time), but subsequently a decision was made to radically change the project. Thus, due to all the delays in the design, the ship was launched only in 1987.
The maximum displacement is 61,390 tons, length 306 m, width 72 m, height 64.5 m. Like most warships that have been serving and taking part in combat operations for years, the hull must be additionally protected. So, on the "Admiral Kuznetsov" armor made of high-strength steel was installed, with a three-layer anti-torpedo protection of 4.5 m, which is able to withstand a direct hit of a four hundred kilogram TNT projectile. 
The powerful ship was equipped with the Beysur navigation system, the Mars Passat, Frigate MA, Podkat, Vaygach and Rezistor radar systems. For communication, a CICS "Lesorub", "Buran 2", SJSC "Polynom", SJSC "Zvezda M1" and the electronic warfare complex "Sozvezdie" were installed. As you can see, the ship is stuffed to the teeth with electronics, but as for weapons, it’s still more serious here. On board are anti-aircraft artillery for 48 thousand shells, an anti-submarine combat installation for 60 bombs. Missiles "Granite" 256 pcs., "Dagger" 192 pcs. Since the ship is an aircraft carrier, 50 aircraft and helicopters can be on it at the same time. 
This military "monster" is set in motion by a power plant consisting of four steam turbines with a total capacity of 200,000 horsepower and nine turbogenerators of 1,500 kW each. Wherein top speed the vessel develops up to 54 km / h, and the autonomy of navigation is 45 days.
During his service in the Navy, the aircraft carrier made six voyages in the Mediterranean Sea, and once visited the North Atlantic. In 2000, he was involved in the rescue operation of the Kursk submarine. In 2016, I had to take part in hostilities against the military terrorist groups "Islamic State" and "Dzhebhat al-Nusra" in the lands of Syria. During the trip, 420 sorties of combat aircraft were made from the ship, while 1252 terrorist targets were hit.
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Battleship Missouri
The idea of connecting the fleet and aviation was born by the great minds of mankind back in the 19th century. So a real technical miracle, called aircraft carriers, was born. They bring death and destruction, but even despite this, they are admired for their greatness. It's about them, about largest aircraft carriers in the world and will be discussed in our article.
The giant, named after one of the heroes of ancient Greek myths, went down in history as the first classic aircraft carrier, which had a landing deck for aircraft on board. He was in service with the British navy. The first descent of the vessel took place in the fall of 2018. The Argus was damaged in action during World War II, so she was scrapped and has been used as a training ship ever since.
Lexington (USA)
The American aircraft carrier, which in the 20s of the last century bore the proud title of the largest vessel of this class, first went on the water in the fall of 1925. With a total length of 270.6 meters, the width of the aircraft carrier was 39.6 meters. Despite such large dimensions, the Lexington could reach speeds of up to 34 knots. There was enough space on its deck to accommodate 70 aircraft.
The ship participated in the battles for Pearl Harbor, it sank after receiving serious damage in May 1942.
This is the largest aircraft carrier in the history of World War II. The ship was launched in November 1944. On its deck fit 42 aircraft, as well as numerous artillery pieces and 12 unguided anti-aircraft guns. The size of the deck of the ship at that time seemed fantastic - 40 by 256 m.
The fate of the Sinano turned out to be tragic: it sank 17 hours after going to sea as a result of a direct hit on board by 6 American torpedoes.
Not exactly an aircraft carrier, because the Iowa, like 3 other ships designed according to this project, belongs to the class of high-speed ships for surface and underwater battles. The length of the giant is 270 m, 3 aircraft, catapults for their launch and standard artillery pieces were placed on board. The first launch of the ship took place in the summer of 1943.
This American ship was designed in the 40s of the last century; it set off on its first voyage in September 1945. The length of the vessel was 295 meters, but the width of the platform for take-off of aircraft was more than 41 meters. The Midway was equipped with 4 turbines and 12 engines that could accelerate it to 33 knots. The ship was decommissioned in the spring of 1992, and now there is a museum on board.
The aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" was the only one in the history of our country that was in service with the Russian army. It was built at the shipyard in Nikolaev in Soviet times. The ship was launched unfinished; it passed its first tests in the period from the 88th to the 89th year. Due to numerous shortcomings, the ship was repeatedly returned to the dock, repaired and altered.
Despite a number of flaws, the Admiral Kuznetsov went down in history as one of the largest aircraft carriers. Its length was 302 m, and its width was almost 72 m.
The ship was the last American history an aircraft carrier created as part of the Kitty Hawk project. It was launched into the water in 1968, and written off and transferred to the reserve in 2007.
The ship could fit 80 aircraft, which is not at all surprising with a ship width of 76.8 m and a length of 320.6 m. An interesting fact is that John F. Kennedy participated in the filming of the fantastic blockbuster 2012.
The first such vessel, created to meet the requirements of jet aviation. The ship went on its first voyage in 1955. At that time, it became the largest ship of this type with a length of 325 m and a length of 72.5 m. 90 aircraft fit on board the Forrestal.
Unfortunately, the aircraft carrier was unlucky. Fires broke out on it every now and then, rockets refused to launch and often missed their target. The ship was written off in 1993, and in 2015 it was disposed of.
The last turbocharged aircraft carrier in American history entered service in 1961. There was practically no artillery on board, and 80 aircraft could fit on the deck measuring 326x86 m.
The ship has repeatedly participated in battles, it was withdrawn from the armament of the American army in 2009.
Modern armed forces must be mobile - months-long campaigns on war elephants and half-year military galley expeditions are a thing of the past. Now, when the bill goes not even for days, but for hours, there is nothing more effective for armies than aircraft carriers. BUT better than an aircraft carrier there can only be a large, very large aircraft carrier. In this material, "RG" will talk about ships that cause envy even among blue whales.
"Shinano"
The Japanese giant can hardly be attributed to the modern one, because in 1944 he sank safely during his first assignment. But what you should not doubt is its colossal, especially for that time, size. Its length was 266 meters, and its displacement was 68,060 tons. In order for you to realize the size of this hulk, imagine the Titanic. So this legendary liner was only three meters longer than the Sinano, and in terms of displacement it lost 10 thousand tons.
Initially, the Japanese was supposed to be the fourth in a series of Yamato-class battleships, but the designers' plans were redrawn by the Battle of Midway, where the Imperial Japanese Navy lost four brand new aircraft carriers and a whole group of smaller ships. The half-finished "Sinano" was decided to be converted as soon as possible into a vessel capable of carrying aircraft.
Haste made itself felt during the first and last battle of the giant. In November 1944, she was torpedoed by an American submarine. The watertight bulkheads had been installed incorrectly and were leaking, and the crew was inexperienced.
"Sinano" sank 7 hours after the attack and 17 hours after leaving the port.
"Varyag" or "Liaoning"
A giant with a very interesting and slightly sad fate was laid down at a shipyard in Nikolaev in 1985, and launched already in 1988. Most of the technical devices on the ship were absent, and the overall readiness of the combat ship could be estimated no higher than 60 percent. After the collapse of the USSR, it went to Ukraine, which until 1998 invested in it exactly as much money as was necessary to keep it afloat, no more.
In 1998, a giant with a length of 304.5 meters and a displacement of 59,500 tons was sold by official Kyiv for a ridiculous amount of $ 20 million. The buyer was a private Chinese firm that announced its intention to turn the unfinished aircraft carrier into an amusement park and casino. But if there were such plans, then they were abandoned almost immediately: 20 million for the crown of the creation of Soviet designers is an insignificant price, so the PRC government nationalized the ship and completed it. Thus, by 2011, the People's Republic of China entered the pool of countries that have aircraft carriers in service.
"Admiral Kuznetsov"
The largest and most powerful aircraft-carrying cruiser in Europe and Asia began to be built in the same Nikolaev in 1982. Named after Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov, Admiral of the Soviet Union.
According to all its characteristics, the aircraft carrier was advanced: the deck was lengthened to allow the take-off and landing of the Su-25, Su-27 and MiG-29, and the hull was built in a unique way from blocks weighing up to 1400 tons. Aerofinishers, the optical landing system "Luna" and the side lifts of the aircraft first appeared on it. The length of the "Admiral" is more than three football fields, it is like the Eiffel Tower without a spire - 306 meters. At the same time, a whole small air army can be on such a colossus - 25 aircraft and 25 helicopters.
Unlike most standard aircraft carriers, the armament of the Admiral Kuznetsov is far from modest: 12 launchers 4K80 SCRC "Granit", 8 launchers "Kortik" with an arsenal of 256 missiles, 6 six-barreled 30-mm artillery mounts AK-630M for 48 thousand shells and 4 six-barrel launchers of the Kinzhal air defense system. Radar is also on top - the Beysur complex, Buran-2 and the Rezistor flight control radar station, and the Kuznetsov crew is almost 2000 sailors and officers. "Kuznetsov" is a real beauty and pride of Russia.
By 2015, the ship will replace all carrier-based Su-33 fighters with multifunctional MiG-29K. Until 2017, the ship will undergo a major overhaul.
"Nimitz"
This American Gulliver is named after Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet during World War II. The aircraft carrier "Nimitz" was laid down back in 1968 and became one of the first ships of this type with a nuclear power plant. Participated in the infamous failed special operation "Eagle's Claw" in 1980. In May 1981, an incident occurred on board: a landing Prowler fighter crashed, killing 14 people, and about 50 were injured.
The aircraft carrier has gigantic dimensions - 332 meters in length and a displacement of almost 100,000 tons. But these figures did not bring him success in 2008, when two Russian Tu-95MS teased the "floating fortress" as part of a training flight. One of them flew at an altitude of only 600 meters above the Nimitz, and even the F / A-18 fighters raised up in alarm did not embarrass our pilots.
"Enterprise"
More than half a century ago, in 1960, the CVN-65 Enterprise was launched, which still remains the longest warship of all time - 342 meters! Also, "Big E" became the world's first nuclear aircraft carrier, and the crew of this big man was a little less than 5,000 people. In total, it was planned to create 6 such ships, but the release of the first Enterprise, which cost $ 451 million, shook the US economy, so the rest of the ships in the project were abandoned.
The aircraft carrier has always been positioned as the pinnacle of the country's naval development and took part in all conflicts and wars of the Stars and Stripes. From the Caribbean crisis to the Vietnam War, from the confrontation between North and South Korea to Yugoslavia and Iraq. Unpleasant incidents did not bypass him either, on January 14, 1969, due to the negligence of the crew, a rocket spontaneously exploded on one of the Phantom aircraft. The ensuing fire destroyed 15 more fighters, killing 27 people and injuring 349. In total, more than 100,000 people served on the aircraft carrier in 52 years.
The ship was decommissioned in 2012 and will be scrapped by 2015, despite numerous protests from former sailors who urged the government to turn the legendary ship into a floating museum.
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