Today there are a large number of giant aircraft carriers.The main requirement for a modern army - mobility.It is for this simple reason that there is nothing more efficient carriers, which are on the board can carry dozens of combat aircraft and large numbers of people.Let us consider with you the largest carriers in the world.Some of them perform their function, and today, while others have long been decommissioned and serve as museum exhibits.
largest aircraft carrier Nimitz
type can say with certainty that the aircraft carriers class "Nimitz" considered the biggest in the world.With a length of 333 meters and width of flight deck more than 76 meters, these giants can accommodate about 90 units of air technology.Among them, 64 fighters and 26 helicopters.A full crew of aircraft carrier "Nimitz" - 3 200 people.From here you can allocate 2 800 aircrew and 70 people team.Almost all ships have the same specifications, design solutions and weapons on board.It should be noted that carriers "Nimitz" can work about 20 years without changing the energy source of the power plant.Simply put, it can be sent to 20 years in the long voyage.The first ship of the line was launched in 1975 and had the same name, "Nimitz".
more detailed description of the class of aircraft carriers, "Nimitz»
Some few words must be said about the power plant of the ship.It consists of main and auxiliary systems.Home includes two water reactors, each of which is powered by two turbine.Feature water reactor is that the coolant and as a moderator it uses a conventional pressurized water.In today's world this type of nuclear reactors on aircraft carriers is the most popular and effective.If you add the power of four turbines, the result is a device to 280,000 horsepower.Auxiliary plant - is 4 diesel engines with total capacity of 10,700 horsepower.These largest carriers in the world are equipped with weapons to defend against enemy aircraft and submarine threats.In the first case set 3 anti-missile system, as well as 4 anti-aircraft guns of 20 mm caliber.For protection against torpedoes have two torpedo tubes caliber of 324 mm.At present, 10 aircraft carriers built "Nimitz", the last of them - "George Bush", which we now consider.
aircraft carrier "George Bush" - the most powerful warship in the world
This ship is the latest development of the "Nimitz".It has a number of distinctive enhancements that make it truly unique.As can be appreciated, the aircraft carrier was named in honor of the 41 th President of the United States of America - George Bush senior.Construction of the vessel began in 2003 and cost the treasury nearly US $ 6.5 billion.In 2009, "George Bush" was officially adopted for use.Today it is one of the largest and most powerful aircraft carrier in the world.Length giant is 332.8 meters with a displacement 110 thousand tons.It can reach a speed of 60 kilometers per hour and carrying on board 90 pieces of equipment.Many call it a modern "Noah's Ark".Due to the fact that the designers managed to move the antenna to the control room and the edge of the deck, got a few extend the runway, which is very important for this ship destination.Now let's look at the other largest carriers in the world, because there are many.
On "Enterprise" in detail
course, not to mention the longest ship in the world, which was launched more than half a century ago.The world's first nuclear aircraft carrier with a crew of almost 5 000 people and the length of 342 meters.The government planned to release the six ships of "Enterprise", but after the first cost 450 million dollars and significantly affected the US Treasury, the rest refused.For many years, said that the "Enterprise" - the pinnacle of the military army.During the service the aircraft carrier visited many conflicts, from Vietnam and ending with North Korea.In 52 years of operation in the "Enterprise" has served more than 100 000 people, so we can safely say that this vehicle is worthy of attention.In 2012 it wrote off and still dismantled for scrap metal, the process of planning to be completed by early 2015.
sad story "Shinano»
If the Japanese ship and can not be called something ingenious to the design point of view, to the giants can be attributed without compunction.During the execution of its first tasks the cruiser sank, it happened in 1944.The length of the ship was about 266 meters, and the displacement of nearly 70,000 tons.But the active conduct of hostilities prevented constructs 100% to finish the ship, so he was released into the water and sank within 17 hours after leaving port.He torpedoed an American submarine, as well as a watertight partitions were originally installed correctly, and no experience in the team, then after 7 hours after the torpedo hit the ship was at the bottom.
Great "Admiral Kuznetsov»
include aircraft carriers in Europe and Asia, there is a ship named after Admiral of the Navy of the Soviet Union, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which is one of the largest and most powerful.Develop this giant started back in 1982 in the city of Mykolayiv.Judging by the specifications, "Admiral Kuznetsov" was to be the best carrier.The deck of the ship was slightly elongated to allow takeoff Su-25 and Su-27.Remarkably, it was on this cruiser was first used optical system "Luna" and side lifts fighters.The length of the ship - 302 meters and placed on board 25 helicopters and the same aircraft.If you call the most ambitious aircraft carriers of the world in terms of weapons and radar equipment, the "Admiral Kuznetsov" will be among the leaders.On its decks found 12 launchers "Granite", 8 units, "Dirk", 6 guns AK-630M and 4 setup "Dagger".Such a large quantity of arms and ammunition huge allows the ship to conduct continuous fire for a long time.To date, this action ship comes complete replacement of the Su-33, MiG-29K, in 2015 planned overhaul.
History of the cruiser "Varyag»
We have listed many of the largest carriers in the world, but we should mention a ship called the "Varyag", or "Liaoning".He began to build in Nikolaev in 1986 and finished in 1988.After the collapse of the Soviet Union went to the cruiser Ukraine.Until 1998, it only kept afloat and not to invest in the development, repair and so on. N. Later, it was decided to sell the aircraft carrier just $ 20 million, which was just a ridiculous price.Its length is 304 meters with a displacement of 60 tons.Chinese private firm, which bought "Varyag", will complete and upgrade it so that it still floats and successfully perform the tasks.
Conclusion
So we reviewed with you the most famous aircraft carriers around the world.Of course, what has been said, this is only a "drop in the bucket."There are also such famous ships as "Theodore Roosevelt" length of 317 meters, "Ronald Reagan" - 332 meters and others.Almost every modern country is trying to build as soon as possible a powerful fleet.Many carriers operating the world can hold on board a small army of planes and helicopters, which at any moment ready for takeoff.
