My Review and Build of Trumpeter's 1/350 scale KIT #5605,
USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76 from USS Nimitz CVN-68
US Navy Aircraft Carriers After World War II
The United States learned during World War II that the aircraft carrier was the new principle combatant on the high seas, and that such a vessel, equipped with the poper, larger aircwing, made up of verious types of aircraft, and surrounded by the roper escorts, was the foremost power projection weapon...ouside of nuclear weapons...that the nation ahd.
After World War II, the United States had amassed nearly 100 carrier of all sizes, ranging from large fleet carriers, principally the Essex carriers and the newer Midway class that was an upgraded Essex class, down to small "Jeep" and escort carriers. Teh ability for these carriers to group tgether and project massive air amdas anywhere around the wrld, aircraft in many hundreds...made the United States Navy the ost powerful maritime power on earth.
With advent of the jet age, the US immediately began a large upgrade effort to its lare essex class carriers giving them new elevators, new catapults, and entirely new angled carrier deck, and new air wings consisting of the new jet aircraft.
These carriers, along wth the larger Midway class, were signifiantly upgraded and their displacements grew from 34,000 tons full load to 47,000 tons full load.
But, as the jet aircraft became larger and more powerful, the carriers likewise had to grow.
The United States embarked on building "super carriers, and the first of these were the Forresal Class, which were huge ships compared to the earlier carriers, being almost 1,000 feet long and displacing, full load, close to 70,000 tons. Four of them were built, followed closely by the Kitty Hawk Class of which four were built and which were just over 1,000 feet long and displaced 80,000 tons.
Then came the first nuclear pwered carrrier, the USS Enterprise, which was 1,120 feet long and diplaced 94,000 tons.
The success of the Enterprise called for the US Navy to build an entire class of nuclear powered carriers, and the US Navy put everything they had learned into it. THe new calss became the Nimitz class, which this moel is a depiction of, being a depiction of the USS Nimitz, CVN-68, the first in class.
Nimitz Class Nuclear Powered Carrier
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The Nimitz class carreies were 1,092 feet long and displaced 100,000 tons. They are powered by two advanced nuclear reactors, have four large elevators, and have significant self defense, as well as an air wing capability of 90 modern jet aircraft, turbopropo AEW aircraft, and helicopters.
The first in class, the Nimitz, was launched ibn May 1973 and commissioned in May 1975. This model depicts that vessel, though I have decided to build it to be the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN=76. The klast of the ten carriers is the George. H. W. Bush which was launched in October 2006 and commissioned in January 2009. That vessel is a cross over vessel incorporating some f the new features of the new class, the Gerald R. Ford class, whch was launched in NOvember 2013 and is scheduled to be commissioned in 2017. The new class has two very advanced reactors that put out 400% more power and will power electromagnetic datapults, be an all electric system, and will allow for lasers and rail guns for self defense which are currently under development.
But the Nimitz class has proven to be, to date, the premier, most advanced aircrat carriers on earth, and the have been involved with every major military action the US has been involved in since the mid 1970s. It is said that whenever there is any chance of their being a major military need, one of the first questions that a US Preswident asks is, "Where are the carriers?"
The specifications for the class have changed somewhat over time, as these carriers have been improved over a forty year build periord.
Here are the current specs:
Displacement: 100,020 tonnes (110,250 short tons)
Length:
Overall: 1,092 feet (332.8 m)
Waterline: 1,040 feet (317.0 m)
Beam:
Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m)
Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m)
Draft:
Maximum navigational: 37 feet (11.3 m)
Limit: 41 feet (12.5 m)
Propulsion:
2 × Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors
4 × steam turbines
4 × shafts
260,000 shp (194 MW)
Speed: 31.5 knots (58.3 km/h)
Range: Unlimited distance; 20–25 years
Complement:
Ship's company: 3,200
Air wing: 2,480
Sensors and
processing systems:
AN/SPS-48E 3-D air search radar
AN/SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar
AN/SPQ-9B target acquisition radar
AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radars
AN/SPN-43C air traffic control radar
AN/SPN-41 landing aid radars
4 × Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems
4 × Mk 95 radars
Electronic warfare & decoys:
SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite
SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures
Armament:
2 × WESSM/Sea Sparrow x 8 missiles each
2 × RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile x 21 missiles each
2 × PHALANX CIWS (Close-In Weapons System) Gatling guns
Aircraft carried: 90 fixed wing and helicopters
Ronald Reagan CVN-76
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USS Ronald Reagan was launched in MArch 2001 and commissioned in July 2003. She was the ninth Nimiyz class and named after PResident Ronald Reagan.
she is currently the only forward deployed US carrier, being forward deployed to Japan where she, her airwing, her escorts in her strike group, her replsnishment group(s) ansd a large squadron of Burke AEGIS destroyers and an entire Marine Expeditionary group centeredd on a large Amphbious Assault ship and its accompanying LPD and LSD and escorts are alse forward deplyed.
The Reagan has distinguished itself as a very well built, and very capable carrier.
It has some changes over the original Nimitz class and its follwers. The Island has been made much more efficient, its spotting of aircraft bn the deck is more efficient, and it has ugraded weapons handling and other improvements.
It has served in Operation Iraqi Freedom on Operation Enduring Freedom. it has been a part of all major exercises since moving to the west coast, and has worked losely with the US allies of Korea, Jpana, and Australia from its forward deployed base. most recently being involved in Operation Valient Shield, followed by operation "Invincible Spirit", a joint exercise with South Korean forces in the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea.
The USS Ronald Reagan is expected to serve for fifty years, meaning it will be around until the 2060s, protecting Amwerican interests and defending US SLOCs wherever called upon.
It's specifications include:
Displacement: 101,400 long tons (113,600 short tons)
Length:
Overall: 1,092 feet (332.8 m)
Waterline: 1,040 feet (317.0 m)
Beam:
Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m)
Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m)
Draft:
Maximum navigational: 37 feet (11.3 m)
Limit: 41 feet (12.5 m)
Propulsion:
2 × Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors
4 × steam turbines
4 × shafts
260,000 shp (194 MW)
Speed: 30+ knots (56+ km/h; 35+ mph)
Range: Unlimited distance; 20–25 years
Complement:
Ship's company: 3,200
Air wing: 2,480
Sensors and processing systems:
SPS-48E 3-D air search radar
SPS-49A(V)1 2-D air search radar
SPQ-9B fire control radar
2 × SPN-46 air traffic control radars
SPN-43C air traffic control radar
SPN-41 instrument landing system radar
3 × Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems
3 × Mk 95 radars
Electronic warfare & decoys:
SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite
SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures
Armament:
2 x Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launchers x 8 missiles each
2 x Rolling Airframe Missile launchers with 21 missiles each
2 x Phalynx 20mm Close-in weapons system (CIWS)
Aircraft carried: 90 fixed wing and helicopters
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