The Building of America's next "super" Carrier

[Jeff Head]

The US Navy's next super carrier will be CVN-77, George HW Bush, named after the father of the current President, a former President himself.

This carrier will be the last of the Nimitz class, will replace the USS Kitty Hawk, CV-61, and will be the transitional carrier into the new CVN-21 class of carriers, the first of which will be commissioned in 2013.

I thought those on this forum would enjoy seeing the construction pictures of this carrier over the last two years. CVN-77 will be commissioned in 2008.

Here are those construction pictures:

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/cvn77-1-doublebottom.jpg
Mar 2003 - Setting of the 800 ton double bottom in dry dock no. 12

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/cvn77-2-workup.jpg
Aug 2003 - Workup

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/cvn77-3-keellaying.jpg
Sep 2003 - Keel laying

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/cvn77-4-workup.jpg
Jan 2004 - Work up from keel

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/cvn77-5-rudders.jpg
Jun 2003 - Working to the Rudders

[Jeff Head]

(Finishing - Page 2)

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/cvn77-6-nightwork.jpg
Dec 2004 - NIght work at dry dock no. 12

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/cvn77-7-bowlift.jpg
Mar 2005 - Bow lifting

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/cvn77-8-buildup.jpg
Aug 2005 - Major buildup

[Soyuz]

Great photos Jeff! they just bring home how big a task building a super carrier will be! I'm suprised they gave it that name given that he was still in power relatively recently! and given that the current incumbent in the whitehouse is his son.

You mentioned the CVN-21 the next generation of carrier i heard that the US navy was developing electro magnetic catapults for use on these, Is this the case?

[Jeff Head]

Great photos Jeff! they just bring home how big a task building a super carrier will be! I'm suprised they gave it that name given that he was still in power relatively recently! and given that the current incumbent in the whitehouse is his son.

Thanks. It was unusual, but with the success of Desert Storm and the general liking by the military of the older Bush (as well as his son), it is the name chosen.

And, yes! That is my point exactly. Such an undertaking is a HUGE job...even when a nation has lots of experienced at it.

Not that it cannot be done, because every nation has to start somewhere if they desire to do so...just that it is a monumental task.

You mentioned the CVN-21 the next generation of carrier i heard that the US navy was developing electro magnetic catapults for use on these, Is this the case?

Yes, electromagnetic cats and arresting system. Also a power plant that furnishing three times more power than existing reactors...which makes for some interesting self-defense speculation.

See the NIMITZ page on my

www.worldwideaircraftcarriers.com

site.

[Spartan00006]

the link doesn't work

[Jeff Head]

the link doesn't work

Sorry. There was a type in there. I fixed it. But there also seems to be a problem with eithere the domain servers or the file servers where it is hosted because now I cannot see the pics on this thread.

Oh well, please try this again later. It will be well worth it.

http://www.worldwideaircraftcarriers.com

[Jones Henry]

Huh! Thats one MAJOR carrier! I wonder how much it costs, and how much money would it take for China to make it unoperational:nono:

Hmm, maybe China should try EMP weapons, since that thing is bound to have plenty of high tech;) Or maybe a tactical nuke or something like that? Well, what ever it is, China better start desining it FAST!:china:

[Gauntlet]

wow...nice pictures, Jeff!

Thats one helluva ship...amazing!

Seeing this, I have a hard time beliving China will build their own carrier anytime soon. It would be such an massive operation. Unless they go for a much smaller VSTOL/Helo carrier.

[Jeff Head]

I wonder how much it costs

About $4 billion US to build (not including the air wing), and about $260 million per year (US) to operate.

and how much money would it take for China to make it unoperational:nono:

Well, they are spending many billions of dollars in total right now to try and build up a naval force that has a chance of challenging one or two of these vessels...the US has 12 of them.

Hmm, maybe China should try EMP weapons, since that thing is bound to have plenty of high tech;)

The vessels are hardened against EMP attack.

Or maybe a tactical nuke or something like that? Well, what ever it is, China better start desining it FAST!:china:

Any use of nukes would invite an overwhelming response from the US in an area where the US enjoys an even greater advantage. Very un-Sun Tsu like. I do not believe the PLAN will play to America's strength in such a confrontation.

[Jeff Head]

wow...nice pictures, Jeff!
Thanks. I really like the progression they show...over two years time. Another two to go!

Thats one helluva ship...amazing!
Yes it is. Each of the Nimitz class was built in a similar fashion. This is number ten, so the US has quite a bit of experience and expertise at this point...and these ten were not too much different in terms of hull building than the ten that went before (Forrestal, Kitty Hawk, Enterprise classes) so you could say that the US has experience nown building twenty such ships.

Seeing this, I have a hard time beliving China will build their own carrier anytime soon. It would be such an massive operation. Unless they go for a much smaller VSTOL/Helo carrier.
I believe they will make the Varyag operational...it is already built. I believe they will also build their own as well...probably not as massive as these. They are 100,ooo tons. They will probably build something more like 40-50,000 tons. Similar in sizer to the French carrier, or the new UK carriers being discussed.

[muyang523]

Maybe China could considering commisioning Kiev and minks. They are currently in China. One is in Tianjin and I think the other one is in shenzhen or Harbin. They are currently being used for tourism.

http://homepage.eircom.net/~steven/images/kiev-DDST8606695.jpg

[MIGleader]

nah, kievs are 70s crap. not very useful nowadays. i dont know why the u.s keeps spending on supercarriers when it already has the largrst, best, and most numerous carriers.

[Jeff Head]

nah, kievs are 70s crap. not very useful nowadays.
Unless they are updated and reconfigured like the Indians plan on doing with the Gorshkov.

i dont know why the u.s keeps spending on supercarriers when it already has the largrst, best, and most numerous carriers.

The US is just maintaing its current carrier force. The carrier shown here is scheduled to replace the Kitty Hawk. The next is scheduled to replace the Enterprise in 2013...and so on.

The US maintains twelve large carriers so it can always have 3-5 deployed. In an emergency, the US can surge seven or eight...but three or four will always be in the yards for maintenance and updates.

If you want them to last fifty years like the US carriers do, you have to take good care of them...and that costs money and means you have to have more of them.

[chopsNL]

Nice ship dude... 4 billion dollars for a carrier? I always thought it was 5 (maybe it's 5 with the airwing). But then again I could be wrong.

So, how many aircraft will inhabit this ship? Which squadrons will have the honour of stationing there for the first time?

[ger_mark]

kiev looks like a midget ext to that new carrier wich is under consruction

[IDonT]

kiev looks like a midget ext to that new carrier wich is under consruction
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/carriers.htm

[Spartan00006]

what does the us do with the old carriers?

do the sell them (india or any other "friendly" country)

maybe they should convert them into troop carriers and sealift vessels

how many troops could a Nimitz carry if it was a troopship (and equipment)?

[ger_mark]

since we have a new goverment and looking at the fact that the us wanted to sell us wa whole carrier battlegroup few years ago i hope we get one of the nimitz class :D

[Jeff Head]

So, how many aircraft will inhabit this ship? Which squadrons will have the honour of stationing there for the first time?

Up to 85 aircraft consisting of E2-C Hawkeyes, EA-6B Prowlers, F/A-18 Hornets, F/A-18 Superhornets, and ultimtley some Joint Strike Fighters (JSF). Also Seahawk helicopters.

[IDonT]

what does the us do with the old carriers?

do the sell them (india or any other "friendly" country)

maybe they should convert them into troop carriers and sealift vessels

how many troops could a Nimitz carry if it was a troopship (and equipment)?


US hasn't sold a carrier to another country in years.
Most of them go to mothball reserve.
One carrier, USS America was used as a target ship to see how well a CV can take damage. The results are still classified

On its way for its last mission

http://www.ussamerica.org/Scrapbook/april_19_2005/DCP_0011.JPG

Final Resting Place.
http://www.ussamerica.org/Scrapbook/last_shot.jpg

http://www.ussamerica.org/Scrapbook/plaque.jpg


US has amphibs to carry troops. A carrier on that role is wasted.

[Jeff Head]

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/carriers.htm

Here's a site I just developed where you can get a LOT of good info about all the world's carriers and large amphibious ships.

http://www.freewebs.com/jeffhead/worldwideaircraftcarriers/wwaclogo.jpg (http://www.worldwideaircraftcarriers.com/)

Hope you like it.

[Jeff Head]

what does the us do with the old carriers?

Well, we...

1) Mothball them to reserves so we can call them up in a crisis. (See my thread on this area of the forum about my trip to the reserve fleet in Bremerton Washington, on that thread are two carriers that are currently in the reserve fleet).

2. Use them for testing of weapons systems to determine how to better protect them

3. Scrap them

One of those three. The US has not sold a carrier to another country in my living memory.

[MIGleader]

it would be very interesting if someone somehow managed to obtain a super carrier from the u.s. if china can aquire enough u.s debt, they could threaten the u.s to pay its dues or surrender some weapons to pay those dues.

stealing one is not so realistic

[Jeff Head]

if china can aquire enough u.s debt, they could threaten the u.s to pay its dues or surrender some weapons to pay those dues.

That might work with a Bill Clinton, but I do not believe it will work with a George Bush or someone like him.

I have always believed that the PRC is looking to the election of 2008 in the hopes another Bill Clinton type will be elected. Lots of power, both economic and miltarily, depending on who is in the White House and what their core values are.

I, of course, do not want to see that type of individual (a Clinton) in the White House again in my life time.

But that is all politics (a very real part of the world) and I prefer sticking to the technical, military info and discussion myself. Sometimes the other is just too depressing...for all of us I am sure.

[MIGleader]

That might work with a Bill Clinton, but I do not believe it will work with a George Bush or someone like him.

I have always believed that the PRC is looking to the election of 2008 in the hopes another Bill Clinton type will be elected. Lots of power, both economic and miltarily, depending on who is in the White House and what their core values are.

I, of course, do not want to see that type of individual (a Clinton) in the White House again in my life time.

But that is all politics (a very real part of the world) and I prefer sticking to the technical, military info and discussion myself. Sometimes the other is just too depressing...for all of us I am sure.

they really must be hoping hilary wins. definitly not another guy from the bush admin

[Jeff Head]

cmon, clinto did more than bad. the american economy flourished. he balanced the checkbook(we need that now), and he made america a well respected nation. now g.w is losing it all.

Well, as I said, I would rather not get into politics. Suffice it to say that we disagree on all of those points regarding Mr. Clinton.

Now...those pics of the building of CVN-77 represent something that will span many president's terms.

[bd popeye]

Well Jeff this thread looks intresting to me. So I will try to post here. I've been having tons of trouble posting in this forum this last few days. I've lost at least 10 post.

Well..:confused: ..The USN does have 5 CV's that have been decomissioned. But As far as I can asertain only the Ranger,Independence & Constellation are held in reserve. I'm not 100% sure about that. I can't access the Naval Registar page anymore. Anyway for the USN to re-comission one of these ships would probaly require over $2 billion dollars. These ships have had the propellers, anchors and catapults removed. Along with most electronics and much other equipment.

As far as scrapping them. No way. There are enviromental concerns. I cost the shipyard more to scarp them than what they can salvage off of them is worth. The last carrier scrapped was the USS Coral Sea CV-43. It took 7 years and the ship breaker went bankrupt.

Too read about the scrapping of CV-43 click on the great USS Coral Sea web page and start searching.

http://www.usscoralsea.net/

As for selling one of these ships to a foreign government. Ain't gonna happen. No way..no how. Even a stripped down CV is too much tecnology to give away.

[Jeff Head]

But As far as I can asertain only the Ranger,Independence & Constellation are held in reserve. So, they are either mothballed for reserve...or mothballed awaiting some other form of disposal...like the America...or just to be scavanged over time I suppose.

As far as scrapping them. No way. There are enviromental concerns. I guess we have put too many laws in the way of that. I know we scrapped dozens of large WWII class carriers. But if we can't do it profitably...then we simply can't do it.

As for selling one of these ships to a foreign government. Ain't gonna happen. No way..no how. Even a stripped down CV is too much tecnology to give away.Agreed 110%

[bd popeye]

Jeff..Check you real email I sent you an intresting page!

Jeff I really think the US should take the Constellation and Independence and re-fit them has "speical Forces" ships. They could carry SEALS,Rangers USMC recon. Or regular Army and USMC troops like a super LPH. All sorts of equipment i.e. helos, vehicles and all assoicated equipment would be on board. Much like the USS America was equipped to invade Hati in the 1990's. USAF & US Army helos could deploy on board for many different type missions.

The ships could be stationed on each coast and be ready in time of crisis.
The ships could also be use to transport large amounts of equipment whenever & where ever necessary. Of course the ships could be use in humanitarian missions.

Otherwise these fine ships will be at the bottom of Davey Jones locker.

[Jeff Head]

Jeff..Check you real email I sent you an intresting page!I will!
Jeff I really think the US should take the Constellation and Independence and re-fit them has "speical Forces" ships. They could carry SEALS,Rangers USMC recon. Or regular Army and USMC troops like a super LPH. All sorts of equipment i.e. helos, vehicles and all assoicated equipment would be on board. I like the way you think popeye...and agree 100%

[EternalVigil]

it would be very interesting if someone somehow managed to obtain a super carrier from the u.s. if china can aquire enough u.s debt, they could threaten the u.s to pay its dues or surrender some weapons to pay those dues.

stealing one is not so realistic


No offense MIG but the US would never give up a super carrrier like that. Not going to happen.

[Jeff Head]

No offense MIG but the US would never give up a super carrrier like that. Not going to happen. Agreed.

[MIGleader]

No offense MIG but the US would never give up a super carrrier like that. Not going to happen.

ah...its not impossible. someday, its either u give up your supercarrier or u give up your treasury. not in the near future, but maybe.

but china doesnt need a super carrier. a medium one is fine.

[EternalVigil]

ah...its not impossible. someday, its either u give up your supercarrier or u give up your treasury. not in the near future, but maybe.

but china doesnt need a super carrier. a medium one is fine.


Lets put it this way if china starts being aggressive saying give up your treasury or carriers. Then the US government will see that as a hostile act and probably cancel all chinese bought debt in the first place.

[MIGleader]

Lets put it this way if china starts being agressive saying give up your treasury or carriers. Then the US government will see that as a hostile act and probably cancel all chinese bought debt in the first place.

you cant just cancel debt. china will release it, causing inflation

[Jeff Head]

ah...its not impossible. someday, its either u give up your supercarrier or u give up your treasury. It is certainly not impossible for the Chinese to consider, or even make such a statement and attempt at blackmail...but it would not produce the desired results. Rather, it is much more likely to produce a major, very serious, trade war...and the PRC would still not have the old carrier.

[EternalVigil]

you cant just cancel debt. china will release it, causing inflation


China and others who buy bonds has an IOU from the federal reserve the US still has the hard currency. If a war or hostilities broke out against the US and China, the US could and proabably would nullify chinas holdings in US treasury bonds. The chinese then would need to try to get the EU to trade US treasury bonds for Euro currency, which with the EU being NATO allies would be a tough sell for china. So lets all play nice.

[Jeff Head]

China and others who buy bonds has an IOU from the federal reserve the US still has the hard currency. If a war or hostilities broke out against the US and China, the US could and proabably would nullify chinas holdings in US treasury bonds. The chinese then would need to try to get the EU to trade US treasury bonds for Euro currency, which with the EU being NATO allies would be a tough sell for china. So lets all play nice. Good analysis. I believe spot on too. ...and let's hope we all continue to do just that, play nice,

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by EternalVigil
No offense MIG but the US would never give up a super carrrier like that. Not going to happen.

Agreed.


I think its a little more complex. the states that the us would sell the carrier to wouldnt buy it (UK, for example...), and the nations that want it are the nations that the us would never give it to. remember the high level of tech transfer between the brits and the americans, from joint harrier design to "burlington" aka "chobham" and so forth. the sale of this tech and an actual vessel to someone like the uk would not be a problem, but the uk has no interest aka funds to buy it. do you really think the us would refuse to sell an older and in their navy obsolete carrier to the uk?

remember, britain has sold older carriers to india for example and so on...

Guderian

[Jeff Head]

do you really think the us would refuse to sell an older and in their navy obsolete carrier to the uk? If it is one of the supercarriers...yes.

The US has five or more sitting around now. The UK is pursuing building their own, as is Spain, Italy, France, and other allies...including potentially Australia. There is no talk of purchasing or selling an existing US super carrier. All of the even older, smaller ones have already been disposed of.

[Guderian]

britain may well say their pursuing the idea and so on, but there is no way it can happen now or in the forseeable future. the cuts in the army have been deeply unpopular as its cost alot of jobs from very old regiments to allow for questionable restructuring in the army. the eurofighter issues, the war in iraq, the last year's regiment cuts, failures of equipment in iraq and so forth mean that there is no way that this will happen. the outrage in britain at the moment persists from the past several years and something as unpopular as a big new carrier will not go down here......itd be fodder for the next cons leader (prob dave cameron) and would sink brown/blair...


i understand the us wouldnt sell a very new/recent carrier to the uk, but would they not sell an older one that was to be scrapped otherwise? surely the tech transfer to the uk cant be reason to deny the transaction??

Guderian

[Jeff Head]

britain may well say their pursuing the idea and so on, but there is no way it can happen now or in the forseeable future. I was under the impression that it was pretty much a done deal and that first steel would be cut sometime next year.
but would they not sell an older one that was to be scrapped otherwise? surely the tech transfer to the uk cant be reason to deny the transaction?? GuderianThe US haven't scrapped any super carriers, even the older ones. I believe they are scavenging them for parts and then using them for tests (like the America that was sunk) and the cost to bring any but the most recent, which the USN are keeping in reserve for itself, would be almost as great as building one of the more modest sized ones the UK is considering. Plus, you would have new ones with a much longer service life.

I believe the UK will build those two new carriers, but time will tell.

[Jeff Head]

CVN-77 to be Christened on October 7th, 2006!

From the Northrop Grumman site.

http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/christening.html

On Saturday, October 7, 2006, Northrop Grumman Newport News will christen the nation’s 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). The ship’s namesake and 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, is scheduled to attend the ceremony along with his wife Barbara and their daughter, Doro Bush Koch, Mrs. Koch also serves as the ship’s sponsor and will do the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow during the ceremony. Employees of Northrop Grumman Newport News and their families are invited. The general public is also invited to the ceremony. Visit the links below for additional information.

Here are some of the latest construction pictures...a beautiful site to behold:

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/CVN77-construct.jpg
CVN-77 nearing completion

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/CVN77-props.jpg
CVN-77 props added

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/CVN77-Island.jpg
CVN-77 Island lift

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/CVN77-ReadytoChristen2.jpg
CVN-77 ready for christening

http://www.jeffhead.com/worldwideaircraftcarriers/CVN77-ReadytoChristen.jpg
CVN-77 another view of CVN-77 ready for christening

[bd popeye]

Great pictures Jeff:)

Did you get those at the Northrup-Grumman website? Did you guys know that those propellers and anchors are more than likely from one of the de-comissioned CV's? yep the USN has been doing that for a while.

[Jeff Head]

Great pictures Jeff:)

Did you get those at the Northrup-Grumman website? Did you guys know that those propellers and anchors are more than likely from one of the de-comissioned CV's? yep the USN has been doing that for a while.Somebody told me that the props were new...that they had a redesigned twist to them over older props. I will try and find it. Yes, the pics were from the Grumman site, but I downloaded them and then reduced their resolution (size) for easier loading on the web.

[Obi Wan Russell]

If you are spending as much money as the US is on a CVN then you don't want the embarassment of explaining a possible prop failure on trials as being because they were 'second hand', but then the French Charles de Gaulle had had prop problems and they had to replace hers with spare ones removed from the decommissioned Clemenceau...

[Jeff Head]

If you are spending as much money as the US is on a CVN ...But aren't those pics beautiful? Not only the technology, treasure, and power projection they represent...just the lines and the very idea that "here comes another one" off the ways. Amazing vessels. Pardon a little unabashed American pride.

[bd popeye]

Obi Wan:
If you are spending as much money as the US is on a CVN then you don't want the embarassment of explaining a possible prop failure on trials as being because they were 'second hand', but then the French Charles de Gaulle had had prop problems and they had to replace hers with spare ones removed from the decommissioned Clemenceau...

All that equipmment that is salvaged is fully re-worked to a "Like new" condition. I can assure you. I don't recall anything falling off any CVN's recently.:confused:

Basically as we all have figured out it is just a cost cutting move. That's all.

[Jeff Head]

Basically as we all have figured out it is just a cost cutting move. That's all.Here's a link to the Grumman PDF file regarding the propellers. They are a new design...brand new for CVN-78. Similar in weight, material, and size, to the other Nimitz props, but a new shape to the propellers themselves to help reduce wear and erosion.

New twist to CVN-77 Propellers (http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/docs/060515.pdf)

[bd popeye]

Here's a link to the Grumman PDF file regarding the propellers. They are a new design...brand new for CVN-78. Similar in weight, material, and size, to the other Nimitz props, but a new shape to the propellers themselves to help reduce wear and erosion.

New twist to CVN-77 Propellers (http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/docs/060515.pdf)

Thanks Jeff! That just goes to show you you can't believe everything you read.:o About three years ago I read in the San Diego Union Tribune that Props ,anchors etc were removed from retired CV's(CV-64) in order to reuse them on new CVN's. I know for sure about anchors and anchor chains being resused. I just assumed the props also.

CVN-77 is floated...I do wish the Sec.USN would change the name of that ship. GHWB was exactly not the best president:(

Newport News, Va. (Sept. 15, 2006) – Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard workers flood the drydock where the Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is berthed. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. CVN 77 is the tenth and last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is scheduled for christening on Oct. 7, 2006 with delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2008. Photo by Mr. John Whalen courtesy Northrop Grumman Ship Building (RELEASED)

[Obi Wan Russell]

CVN-77 is floated...I do wish the Sec.USN would change the name of that ship. GHWB was exactly not the best president:

Try to look on the bright side: as long as there is a CVN named after Bush senior there will never be one named after his idiot son! She is nevertheless an awesome sight though; I remember in the early 90s when my brother was based at Gosport (HMS Dolphin) he told me about a visiting US CVN: "It's too big to get into Pompey Harbour so they've parked it outside using the Isle of Wight as a Mooring Buoy!" Being a submariner he had a low opinion of all surface ships: "Just another Target to me."

[bd popeye]

Being a submariner he had a low opinion of all surface ships: "Just another Target to me."



I have a former in-law that use to spout the same crap to me..."you guys are nothing but a big target"..Think about this . Who would want to go on board a ship that delibertly sinks????? Duh!

Try to look on the bright side: as long as there is a CVN named after Bush senior there will never be one named after his idiot son!

I wish the USN would use the more traditional names for CVN's. But that ended 43 years ago when JFK was assainated....I also wish they would change the names of CVN's 70,74 & 75. I do not have any problems with the other names.

I like the RN's name on their former CV's.."Invincble", "Illustrious", "Formidable etc..The USN cancelled CV-35 was to be named Reprisal.

[IDonT]

I think the new carrier naming convention says that Carriers are named after Presidents.

[bd popeye]

I think the new carrier naming convention says that Carriers are named after Presidents.

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq63-1.htm

Or states men. That started when JFK was killed. Check the USN list of CV's
My name for CVN-77= USS Yankee Station. America or Enterprise would be good also. CVN-70=USS Eagle. CVN-74=USS Coral Sea. CVN-75=USS United States. by the way "United States" was the original name for CVN-75 until democrats started to cry about. Politicians..jeez...

Langley (CV 1)
Lexington (CV 2)
Saratoga (CV 3)
Ranger (CV 4)
Yorktown (CV 5)
Enterprise (CV 6)
Wasp (CV 7)
Hornet (CV 8)
Essex (CV 9)
Yorktown (CV 10)
Intrepid (CV 11)
Hornet (CV 12)
Franklin (CV 13)
Ticonderoga (CV 14)
Randolph (CV 15)
Lexington (CV 16)
Bunker Hill (CV 17)
Wasp (CV 18)
Hancock (CV 19)
Bennington (CV 20)
Boxer (CV 21)
Independence (CVL 22)
Princeton (CVL 23)
Belleau Wood (CVL 24)
Cowpens (CVL 25)
Monterey (CVL 26)
Langley (CVL 27)
Cabot (CVL 28)
Bataan (CVL 29)
San Jacinto (CVL 30)
Bon Homme Richard (CV 31)
Leyte (CV 32)
Kearsarge (CV 33)
Oriskany (CV 34)
Reprisal (CV 35) scrapped on ways
Antietam (CV 36)
Princeton (CV 37)
Shangri-La (CV 38)
Lake Champlain (CV 39)
Tarawa (CV 40)
Midway (CVB 41)
Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB 42)
Coral Sea (CVB 43)
CV 44..canclled
Valley Forge (CV 45)
Iwo Jima (CV 46)
Philippine Sea (CV 47)
Saipan (CVL 48)
Wright (CVL 49)
CV 50 through CV 56..cancelled
United States (CVA 58)..scrapped on ways
Forrestal (CVA 59)
Saratoga (CVA 60)
Ranger (CVA 61)
Independence (CVA 62)
Kitty Hawk (CVA 63)
Constellation (CVA 64)
Enterprise (CVAN 65)
America (CVA 66)
John F. Kennedy (CVA 67)
Nimitz (CVN 68)
Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)
Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
George Washington (CVN 73)
John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
Harry S Truman (CVN 75)
Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

[IDonT]

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq63-1.htm

Or states men. That started when JFK was killed. Check the USN list of CV's
My name for CVN-77= USS Yankee Station. America or Enterprise would be good also. CVN-70=USS Eagle. CVN-74=USS Coral Sea. CVN-75=USS United States. by the way "United States" was the original name for CVN-75 until democrats started to cry about. Politicians..jeez...

Don't the Wasp Class LHD still retain the old Carrier naming convention?
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lhd-1-unit.htm

[bd popeye]

Don't the Wasp Class LHD still retain the old Carrier naming convention?
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/lhd-1-unit.htm

Yes! I wish CVN's did. Ever since JFK was killed congress has been naming CVN's intead of the Sec. of USN.:mad: They do it by passing a law.

Wasp class names and homeports
USS Wasp (LHD 1), Norfolk, VA
USS Essex (LHD 2), Sasebo, Japan
USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Norfolk, VA
USS Boxer (LHD 4), San Diego, CA
USS Bataan (LHD 5), Norfolk, VA
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), San Diego, CA
USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Norfolk, VA
Makin Island (LHD 8) - under construction..will be homeported in San Diego CA

There was a USS Makin Island (CVE-93) a jeep or escort CV.

[bd popeye]

Guys, I moved the last 7 post to the aircraft carrier thread because the subject was becoming more directed to CV's in general.

http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/showthread.php?t=2255&page=13

bd popeye moderator

[Finn McCool]

Naming carriers out of victorious sea battles would be good. USS Midway, USS Phillipine Sea (even though there is already a Tico named that) USS Leyte Gulf, USS Chesapeake Bay (from the Revolution:D ) I like the name of the Reprisal. Its hostile, threatening and not politically correct:nono: . Much better than the Gerald Ford.

[bd popeye]

Finn sez,
I like the name of the Reprisal. Its hostile, threatening and not politically correct . Much better than the Gerald Ford.

Me too. Almost anything is better than USS George H W Bush or USS Gerald Ford. I love those "verb" names like the RN has. Reprisal is great.

How about USS Conquer? Now that's certianlly not politically correct!

Well today is the day that the "Bush" will be christened...

Navy to Christen Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush
Story Number: NNS061004-14
Release Date: 10/4/2006 1:31:00 PM

Special release from the U.S. Department of Defense

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=25912

story edited by bd popeye
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- President George W. Bush will deliver the principal address at the christening ceremony of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, named for his father, former President George H. W. Bush, at 10 a.m. EDT Oct. 7 at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va.

The last of the Nimitz-class carriers is named in honor of World War II naval aviator and America’s 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush. The former president was born in Milton, Mass., June 12, 1924, and began a lifetime of service to America when he joined the Navy on his 18th birthday as a seaman. He became the youngest pilot in the Navy at the time, receiving his commission and naval aviator wings before his 19th birthday.

Doro Bush Koch, daughter of former President George H.W. Bush, will serve as ship’s sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by Koch breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow to formally christen the ship, which is a time-honored Navy tradition. The former president and his wife, Barbara, are scheduled to attend the ceremony.

America’s carriers serve a vital role in the defense of the American people. Deploying around the globe in support of U.S. interests and commitments, U.S. aircraft carriers are in place to immediately respond to emerging military and humanitarian crises and in various roles ranging from peacetime presence to full-scale war.

Capt. Kevin O'Flaherty, a native of Los Angeles, Calif., and a 1981 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, is the prospective commanding officer. In that capacity, he will be responsible for more than 5,000 crew members, to include the embarked air wing, when the ship is commissioned and fully operational.

Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, at 1,092 feet in length and 97,000 tons displacement, are the largest warships in the world. Traveling at speeds in excess of 30 knots and with flight decks encompassing 4.5 acres, they can easily support an air wing of about 75 aircraft.

[Obi Wan Russell]

A few other potential carrier names (such as those used by the RN in the past) : USS Vengeance (apt after 911), USS Audacious, USS Leviathan, USS Triumph, USS Warrior, USS Formidable, USS Furious. A warships' name should inspire those who serve aboard her and strike fear into her enemies. There was some dissent in the RN a few years ago that not enough ships were being given 'hard' names, instead of being named after quiet towns best known for their shopping malls (eg HMS St Albans)! If you have to name a carrier after a person, he or she should be someone who was respected for their strength and determination by friends and adversaries alike (eg JFK), and Neither Gerald Ford nor Bush could claim that.

The insistence of the US Congress on naming CVNs after past presidents and statesmen smells a bit of political vanity, perhaps they dream of getting that honour themselves one day. Politicians are usually the least deserving in general, with a few notable exceptions.

[bd popeye]

Jedi Master Obi Wan sez;
The insistence of the US Congress on naming CVNs after past presidents and statesmen smells a bit of political vanity, perhaps they dream of getting that honour themselves one day. Politicians are usually the least deserving in general, with a few notable exceptions.


You better believe it...Why are there CVN's named Vinson & Stennis?? because those two men were very powerful US Congressmen on the armed forces comittee for years...

A few other potential carrier names (such as those used by the RN in the past) : USS Vengeance (apt after 911), USS Audacious, USS Leviathan, USS Triumph, USS Warrior, USS Formidable, USS Furious. A warships' name should inspire those who serve aboard her and strike fear into her enemies.

Like I said ..love those "verb" names! I really like Vengeance..That would be awesome. But no..We gotta name it George Bush! Jeez..

Truman's name is the one that rankles me the most. Simply because he wanted to get rid of most of the USN CV's. As he was convinced in doing so by some USAF generals.

[Obi Wan Russell]

Truman reneged on an agreement between Britain and America made during WW2 to share atomic technology and tried to keep it all for the USA... forgetting that over a third of the scientists and engineers involved in the Manhattan Project were British! They simply packed their bags, came home and set up shop at Aldermaston producing British A-bombs within a few years. All Truman did was sour trans atlantic relations pointlessly, then as you say he fell for the BS the USAF was peddling about Bombers deciding the next war. Some former Vice Presidents shouldn't be allowed out on their own...

Carl Vinson was a staunch supporter of Naval Aviation at least, but outside of Washington he is a virtual unknown. "Watch out or we'll send the Carl Vinson to sort you out!"
"Send Who?"

[bd popeye]

Obi wan..You da' Jedi! You are so correct! :)

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=25973

CVN-77 offically christened at Newport News

George H. W. Bush Christened At Newport News
Story Number: NNS061007-06
Release Date: 10/7/2006 7:09:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler Jones, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) was officially christened Oct. 7 at Northrop Grumman Newport News ship yard with its namesake and 41st president in attendance.

According to Northrop Grumman Corporation, former President Bush’s attendance marks the first time in the shipyard’s 120-year history that a president has witnessed the christening of a ship named in his honor.

“I hope the American people will accept my sincere gratitude for an honor that touches my heart,” said former President Bush. “This is any naval aviator’s dream come true.”

The ship’s sponsor, Bush’s daughter, Doro Bush Koch, christened the ship with the ceremonial breaking of a champagne bottle across the bow.

President George W. Bush also attended the ceremony, standing side-by-side with Koch and his father for the christening.

“She is unshakable, she is unyielding, and she is unstoppable,” said the president. “The men and women of the U.S. military represent the best of America, and they deserve the best America can give them.”

“Such a ship is not just a symbol of our power,” said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael G. Mullen, “but a symbol of our freedom.”

While the carrier still follows basic Nimitz-class specifications, Northrop Grumman has made numerous improvements. Most of the changes have been made to the 700-ton island structure, including the removal of one level and increasing the height of individual levels by nine inches, which leaves room to add new and upgraded systems as they become available.

The carrier’s island, towering 20 stories above the ship’s waterline, is the command center for navigation and flight-deck operations, allowing air-traffic controllers to see and direct the movement of aircraft on the ship’s four-and-a-half acre flight deck.

The ship’s communications systems have been dramatically redesigned to leave room for easy-integration of future systems upgrades. Improvements include communication and navigation systems upgrades, a new radar tower and transparent armor windows.

The most modern technology was employed for the ship’s aircraft land and recovery equipment, Northrop Grumman stated. Technology of the same tier was tapped for improvements in the storage and handling of aircraft fuel.

According to Northrop Grumman, George H. W. Bush also features the new bulbous-bow design, the second carrier to utilize that design. The new bow provides more buoyancy to the forward part of the ship and improves the hull’s efficiency. The design was first seen with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), commissioned in 2003.

The carrier’s four brass propellers weigh approximately 30 tons each and are powered by two nuclear reactors that can operate for 20 years without refueling. The blades have been slightly redesigned to reduce wear and erosion.

George H. W. Bush’s weight was also reduced by about 100 tons using a modernized covering on the ship’s flight deck.

Nimitz-class aircraft carriers can exceed 30 knots while underway and can carry 80-plus combat aircraft. Ships in that class are 1,092 feet long and displace about 97-thousand tons fully loaded.

CVN 77 is the 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to be built during the 31-year span of the class. Its delivery is set for early-to-mid 2008. The ship is expected to be able to operate for about 50 years

[Jeff Head]

Like I said ..love those "verb" names! I really like Vengeance..That would be awesome.I'd like to see the USS Shanksville, or another USS America, certianely, when the time comes, a USS Enterprise to replace CVN-65 when she is retired, or the USS Samar to specifically commemorate the Battle off Samar in World Wa II during the battle of Leyte Gulf, or the USS George Rogers Clark (his contributions during the revoultionary war were phenominal, but mainly unheralded). There are SO many potential good names without making it political. Unfortunately, the funndig and appropriations have become such that has made it too easy to be political.

[TerraN_EmpirE]

The British tend to use the Verb names. The US with the exceptions of Freedom, Liberty and Independence do not we use city's names like the USS New York, legacy names ( like Enterprise, Constellation, Intrepid and Lexington), Officer names like Nimitz and of course the current trend presidents and congressmen's names. Sad but true there is no USS Defiant other than on DS9

[bd popeye]

the British tend to use the Verb names. the US with the exseptions of Freedom, Liberty and independence do not we use city's names like the USS New york, Legicy names ( like Enterprise, Constellation, Intrepid and Lexington), Officer names like Nimitz and of course the current trend presidents and congressmen's names. sad but true there is no USS defiant other then on DS9

Actually some of the USN Mine countermeasure ships have verb names.

USS Avenger (MCM 1), Ingleside, TX
USS Defender (MCM 2), Ingleside, TX
USS Sentry (MCM 3), Ingleside, TX
USS Champion (MCM 4), Ingleside, TX
USS Guardian (MCM 5), Sasebo, Japan
USS Devastator (MCM 6), Ingleside, TX
USS Patriot (MCM 7), Sasebo, Japan
USS Scout (MCM 8), Ingleside, TX
USS Pioneer (MCM 9), Ingleside, TX
USS Warrior (MCM 10), Ingleside, TX
USS Gladiator (MCM 11), Ingleside, TX
USS Ardent (MCM 12), Manama, Bahrain

Those would be great names on a CVN!

There will be a USS New York(LPD-21) is under construction. The bow is built from steel salvaged from the WTC.

Also the first USN LCS name will be Freedom the second Independence

[Jeff Head]

Those would be great names on a CVN!Popeye, if you hadn't seen this I thought you would like to see the latest pic of CVN-77...now launched and afloat.

thumbnail
http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/images/pg/construction16.jpg (http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/bush/images/pg/hi_res/construction/DCS06-626-092.jpg)

Another American Supercarrier now in the water!

[bd popeye]

Nice picture Jeff. It's nice to be able to see a real picture of America's latest military hardware. No guess work here! And the US will build a few more just like this one!...:)

[Jeff Head]

Nice picture Jeff. It's nice to be able to see a real picture of America's latest military hardware. No guess work here! And the US will build a few more just like this one!...:)Yep...nothing to hide as far as the overall dimensions and fit out are concerned. We want other nations to know what we have in that regard. It helps as a deterrent IMHO.

That new island configuration on CVN-77 is looking very nice.

[bd popeye]

Actually CVN-77 could be a considered a "one ship class" It has so many upgrades from previous Nimitz class ships. I feel the same way about the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)...

[Obi Wan Russell]

A lot of publications describe all the Nimitz's after Carl Vinson as a seperate class, though I disagree. The improvements and differences form the first three were not significant enough until the Reagan, and CVN-77 definitely qualifies as a sub-class at least, having been officially described as a 'Transitional Ship' between the Nimitz class and the CVN-78 class. I have an awful feeling that if ex president Ford passes away before the new ship is named (he is in his nineties) then Congressional pressure will mount to name the ship after him. Timing is everything...

[bd popeye]

Jedi Master Obi Wan sez;
A lot of publications describe all the Nimitz's after Carl Vinson as a seperate class, though I disagree. The improvements and differences form the first three were not significant enough until the Reagan, and CVN-77 definitely qualifies as a sub-class at least, having been officially described as a 'Transitional Ship' between the Nimitz class and the CVN-78 class. I have an awful feeling that if ex president Ford passes away before the new ship is named (he is in his nineties) then Congressional pressure will mount to name the ship after him. Timing is everything...

You are so right. Dude is so old..I mean old. Plus he has been very ill lately..maybe they can name a LCS after him? Or one of the new Advanced Dry(T-AKE) cargo ships after the man.

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4400&tid=500&ct=4

...He wuz the Prez afterall.:o .although he was never elected!

I visited the USS Ronald Reagan at NASNI with a friend that was still on active duty back in 2004. Having served on the Nimitz I can tell you first hand from the very little I saw the ship is very diffrent from CVN-68.

[bd popeye]

Time is running out for the Sec. USN to name CVN-78 something other than USS Gerald Ford..Whadda joke...:(

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=116223&ran=180685

Name of new carrier a matter of some debate

By JACK DORSEY, The Virginian-Pilot
© December 18, 2006

Tom Trujillo has about run out of ideas to persuade the Navy to name its next aircraft carrier the USS America.

The former petty officer on the previous flattop America - which was based in Norfolk before it was retired in 1996 and sunk in 2005 in an experiment - has written to Navy Secretary Donald Winter many times.

He's asked Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., to help arrange a meeting with the secretary to discuss the name issue. It hasn't happened. Not only that, there's an effort in Congress to name the next carrier after former President Gerald Ford.

"There can be no better way to establish the next class of carriers than by naming the first of the class America," Walt Waite, another former crew member, wrote to Winter.

"If the name America is pushed aside in favor of Gerald Ford," he added, "then the small group of politicians win and the voice of the people will once again be ignored."

Trujillo, along with Waite, runs a Web site called "Name CVN 78 USS America." (The address is www.cvn78.com.) They are president and vice president, respectively, of the USS America Carrier Veterans Association.

They've gotten more than 800 people to petition Winter on the issue, and they say they've written to 950 newspapers trying to get their effort some ink.

An 1819 act of Congress gives the s ecretary of the Navy responsibility for choosing ship names, a prerogative he still exercises, according to the Naval Historical Center's Web site.

Sens. John Warner, R-Va., and Carl Levin, D-Mich., amended the 2007 defense bill to encourage the Navy to name the next carrier after Ford, who served in the Navy during World War II and grew up in Michigan.

"At least we were able to get the wording changed in the amendment from being a mandate to a recommendation," Waite said.

Warner is the outgoing chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Levin is the incoming chairman.

So far, nothing has worked, the former sailors said.

"You would think this would be a slam dunk with all these guys spouting off about patriotism," Trujillo said by telephone from his Connecticut home.

In a letter to Waite last month, Capt. Rebecca Brenton, special assistant for public affairs to the Navy secretary, said it is understandable many people support naming the next carrier America.

"As I am sure you are aware, a sense of Congress, while not legally binding, must be carefully considered as part of the ship-naming process," Brenton wrote.

"That looks as if they are setting us up for a let down," Waite said by telephone from his Pennsylvania home. "Previously there was reason to hold out hope, but this letter looks like he's squashing that."

Trujillo said Ford doesn't have the standing to have a carrier named after him.

"While I certainly don't agree with naming carriers after politicians, does Gerald R. Ford live up to the likes of a Washington, Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Lincoln or a Reagan?" he asked. Those are the names of aircraft carriers, all currently in commission.

Waite, in a letter to Winter last week noted that Ford already has a freeway, library, museum, airport, foundation and school at the University of Michigan named after him.

"And quite frankly, sir, that is enough," he wrote. " Mr. Ford did nothing to deserve having the Navy's mightiest ship named for him except to be friends with Sen. Levin. There are dozens of more deserving Americans whose names belong on Navy ships before Mr. Ford's."

Efforts to sway the Navy secretary to name a ship after a city, a hero or a famous person are not new, said Defense Department spokesman Kevin Wensing. When residents of New Mexico asked that a ship be named for their state, more than 20,000 signed petitions, he said.

"We said, OK, enough, we get it," Wensing said. In December 2004, then-Navy Secretary Gordon England named the sixth ship of the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered submarines the New Mexico.

Wensing would not disclose other names being suggested for CVN 78.

He did say, however, that the ship-naming process is so varied that it doesn't always follow any reason. For example, the three submarines in the Seawolf class are named Seawolf, Connecticut and Jimmy Carter, Wensing said.

"So they are named after a seawolf, whatever that is, a state and a former president. Go figure."

[szbd]

There will be a USS New York(LPD-21) is under construction. The bow is built from steel salvaged from the WTC.



Chinese steel company Bao Gang got at least 50000 tons of WTC steel (initial shipment, don't know about afterwards). Also some india companies got some. The price was said to be $120/ton.