The newest aircraft carrier in the world. The world's largest aircraft carrier Enterprise - half a century in service. A more detailed description of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers
A person is ready to protect his peace by any means. The vastness of the ocean, for example, contains incredible aggregates designed to serve the benefit of peace and tranquility. Most large aircraft carriers will be discussed below.
1 place
Enterprise. Incredible aircraft carrier, worth $ 451 million. Equipped with a nuclear facility, it is 342 meters long. The project involved the release of five more such structures, however, the cost of building the Enterprise showed that such plans would be too expensive for the US military. First launched in 1961. The total displacement of the ship is 93,400 tons.
2nd place 
Nimitz. Another brainchild of America, launched in 1975. A dozen more ships were built according to Nimitz's project, the last of which was commissioned already in 2009. The prime cost of this type of aircraft carrier turned out to be less than that of the Enterprise, therefore serial production was established. The length of the unit is 333 meters. Full displacement - 106 thousand tons.
3rd place 
Lincoln ... The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, launched in 1988, is the fifth ship in the project. Known for being used during the fighting in Iraq, as well as being filmed in several films. The length of the vessel is 332.8 m, the displacement of the ship is 97 thousand tons. The aircraft group of the ship consists of 90 aircraft and helicopters.
4th place 
Kitty hawk ... Once again, the United States leads the list of manufacturers of the world's most powerful aircraft carriers. Kitty Hawk reaches a length of 327 meters, is equipped with modern systems electronics and sonar. The ship does not have atomic artillery like its followers. Launched in 1955. The ship's displacement is 93 thousand tons.
5th place 
Forrestal ... Named after the first US Department of Defense, Forrestal was also the first project after World War II. All the experience gained from the conduct of hostilities was collected by the best military engineers and embodied in this aircraft carrier. Its length is 325 meters, its displacement is 81 thousand tons. Used since 1955. One of notable casesassociated with this aircraft carrier is a fire that occurred in 1967. The official version says that the fire was the result of an independent rocket launch under the influence of a power surge.
6th place 
John F. Kennedy ... The aircraft carrier is 320 meters long and again made in the USA. The fourth follower of Kitty Hawk, named after the 35th President of America. Initially, it was planned to equip it with a nuclear installation, but later the project was revised, deciding in favor of gas turbine generators. Has been in service since 1968. The displacement of the vessel is 82 thousand tons.
7th place 
Midway ... Discoverer of heavy American aircraft carriers, 306 meters long. The ship has a rich history, as it was actively used during the bombing of Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. Today it has already been withdrawn from the fleet, but it continues to function in a different way - as a museum ship.
8th place 
Admiral Kuznetsov ... Built in the USSR, a native of the Black Sea shipbuilding plant. Named after the Admiral of the USSR Fleet, it was intended for attacks against large targets and the protection of sea space. The aircraft carrier carries fighters and helicopters during campaigns. The length of the ship is 302 meters, released in 1990. Displacement - 59 thousand tons.
9th place 
Lexington ... The aircraft carrier is 271 meters long and is one of the most historic in the United States. Launched in 1929, it was equipped with a superstructure and nuclear installations, as well as an armored hull. Full displacement - 47,700 tons.
10th place 
Shinano ... The representative of Japan among the largest aircraft carriers in the world, has a length of 266 meters. Launched in 1944. It is noteworthy that by the beginning of the war the ship was only half ready and was built according to the battleship's design. However, after the defeat of the Japanese army at Midway, it was decided to rebuild the ship into an aircraft carrier. The thickness of the armor of the newly-made aircraft carrier was 178 mm, and it is equipped with 718 tons of aviation fuel storage tanks. The total displacement of the ship is 71,890 tons.
The idea of \u200b\u200buniting the navy and aviation was born in the minds of the great minds of mankind back in the 19th century. This is how a real technical miracle called aircraft carriers was born. They bring death and destruction, but even so, they admire their greatness. It's about them, oh the 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 to carry an airplane landing deck. He was in service with the British Navy. The first launch of the vessel took place in the fall of 2018. The Argus was damaged in battle during World War II, so it was decommissioned 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 out 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, "Lexington" could reach speeds of up to 34 knots. There was enough room on its deck to accommodate 70 aircraft.
The vessel took part in the battles for Pearl Harbor, it sank after being seriously damaged in May 1942.
This is the largest aircraft carrier in the history of World War II. The ship was launched in November 1944. Its deck accommodated 42 aircraft, as well as numerous artillery pieces and 12 unguided anti-aircraft guns. The size of the ship's deck at that time seemed fantastic - 40 x 256 m.
The fate of the Shinano turned out to be tragic: it sank 17 hours after leaving the sea as a result of a direct hit on board by 6 American torpedoes.
Not really an aircraft carrier, because Iowa, like 3 other ships, designed this project, belongs to the class of high-speed ships for surface and underwater battles. The giant's length is 270 m, it housed 3 aircraft, catapults for their launch and standard artillery pieces. 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 went on its first voyage in September 1945. The length of the vessel was 295 meters, but the width of the take-off site was over 41 meters. Midway was equipped with 4 turbines and 12 motors that could accelerate it to 33 knots. The ship was decommissioned in the spring of 1992; now there is a museum on board.
The aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov", the only one in the history of our country, was in service with the Russian army. It was built at a shipyard in Nikolaev in Soviet times. The ship was launched unfinished; its first tests took place in the period from 88th to 89th year. Due to numerous imperfections, the ship was repeatedly returned to the dock, repaired and altered.
Despite a number of flaws, "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 vessel was the last aircraft carrier in American history to be created as part of the Kitty Hawk project. It was launched into the water in 1968, and was written off and transferred to the reserve in 2007.
The ship accommodated 80 aircraft, which is not at all surprising given the ship's 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 ship of this type, built to the requirements jet aircraft... The ship went on its maiden voyage in 1955. At that time, she became the largest vessel of this type with a length of 325 m and a length of 72.5 m. The Forrestal could carry 90 aircraft.
Unfortunately, the aircraft carrier was unlucky. On it every now and then there were fires, rockets refused to launch and often missed the target. The ship was written off in 1993, and in 2015 it was scrapped.
The last turbocharged aircraft carrier in American history entered service in 1961. On board there was practically no artillery, on a deck measuring 326x86 m 80 aircraft could fit.
The ship has repeatedly participated in battles; it was removed from the armament of the American army in 2009.
Modern armed forces must be mobile - months-long campaigns on war elephants and six-month military expeditions on galleys are in the distant past. Now, when the count goes not even for days, but for hours, there is nothing more effective for armies than aircraft carriers. AND better than an aircraft carrier there can only be a large, very large aircraft carrier. In this article, "RG" will tell you about ships that make even blue whales envy.
The Japanese giant can hardly be attributed to a modern weapon, because in 1944 he safely sank during his first mission. But there is nothing to doubt about, so it is in 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 whopper, imagine the Titanic. So this legendary liner was only three meters longer than "Shinano", and in terms of displacement it lost 10 thousand tons.
Initially, the Japanese was supposed to become the fourth in a series of battleships of the Yamato class, but the designers' plans were redrawn by the Battle of Midway, where the imperial Japanese fleet lost four brand new aircraft carriers and a whole group of smaller ships. It was decided to rebuild the half-finished "Shinano" 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, it was torpedoed by an American submarine. The watertight bulkheads were installed incorrectly, so they were leaking and the team was inexperienced.
"Shinano" sank 7 hours after the attack and 17 hours after leaving the port.
"Varyag" or "Liaoning"
A giant with a very interesting and a bit sad fate was laid down at a shipyard in Nikolaev in 1985, and launched already in 1988. Most of technical devices was absent on the ship, and the general readiness of a combat ship could be estimated at no more 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, the giant, 304.5 meters long and with a displacement of 59,500 tons, was sold by official Kiev for a ridiculous amount of $ 20 million. The buyer was a private Chinese firm, which 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 its construction. Thus, by 2011, the People's Republic of China entered the pool of countries with 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 Fleet Soviet Union.
In all its characteristics, the aircraft carrier was advanced: the deck was lengthened to allow for the takeoff and landing of the Su-25, Su-27 and MiG-29, and the hull was erected in a unique way from blocks weighing up to 1400 tons. Aerofinishers, the Luna optical landing system and aircraft side lifters first appeared on it. The Admiral is more than three football fields in length, it is like the Eiffel Tower without a spire - 306 meters. At the same time, such a colossus can carry a whole small air army - 25 aircraft and 25 helicopters.
Unlike most standard aircraft carriers, the Admiral Kuznetsov's armament is far from modest: 12 4K80 Granit missile launchers, 8 Kortik launchers with an arsenal of 256 missiles, 6 six-barreled 30-mm AK-630M artillery mounts for 48 thousand rounds and 4 six-barreled Kinzhal SAM launchers. Radar is also at a height - the complex "Beysur", "Buran-2" and the radar flight control station "Resistor", and the crew of "Kuznetsov" is almost 2000 sailors and officers. "Kuznetsov" is the real beauty and pride of Russia.
By 2015, everything on the ship will be replaced carrier-based fighters Su-33 for the multifunctional MiG-29K. Until 2017, the ship will undergo a major overhaul.
This American Gulliver is named after Chester W. Nimitz, the 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 disastrous special operation "Eagle Claw" in 1980. In May 1981, an incident occurred on board: the landing Prowler fighter crashed, killing 14 people, and about 50 were injured.
The aircraft carrier has a gigantic size - 332 meters in length and a displacement of almost 100,000 tons. But these numbers did not bring him success in 2008, when two Russian Tu-95MSs 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 on alert did not bother our pilots.
"Enterprise"
More than half a century ago, in 1960, the CVN-65 Enterprise was launched, which is still the longest warship of all time - 342 meters! Also "Big E" became the world's first nuclear-powered 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 the conflicts and wars of the Stars and Stripes. From the Cuban missile crisis to the Vietnam War, from the confrontation between the North and South Korea to Yugoslavia and Iraq. Unpleasant incidents did not pass him by either; on January 14, 1969, due to the negligence of the crew, a rocket on one of the Phantom aircraft exploded spontaneously. The ensuing fire destroyed 15 more fighters, killing 27 people and injuring 349. In total, over 100,000 people have served on the aircraft carrier in 52 years.
The ship was decommissioned in 2012, and by 2015 it will be finished dismantling for scrap, despite numerous protests from former sailors, who persuaded the government to turn the legendary ship into a floating museum.
An aircraft carrier is a military and strategic ship. The main striking power lies in the aircraft located on the deck. These giants have everything for the repair, maintenance, and temporary storage of helicopters and aircraft. Today, all operating aircraft carriers in the world are large in size, as well as the most modern equipment. Let's talk about this in more detail and take a closer look at some of the largest ships. Among them will be both legends and aircraft carriers still in service.
general information
For the first time, the largest aircraft carriers in the world began to be used by the British during the 1st World War. Over time, the British government realized that it was much easier to defend the borders using mobile ships. By World War II, the British were in the lead in the number of cruisers, but over time they ceded leadership to the United States. As for the current situation, then, of course, aircraft carriers are not only combat units carrying a small aviation army, but also a means of communication that allows you to quickly exchange information. The main requirement for the armed forces is mobility, so highly maneuverable combat units play a key role in many battles. However, if a nuclear exchange happens, the world's largest aircraft carriers will become the primary target. Powerful power plants allow you to stay on the open sea for tens of years.
Modern aircraft carriers
To date, the most active use of such ships. The country is armed with about 11 aircraft carriers and 10 are being designed, while the Russian Federation has only one operating and two under construction. The United States uses cruisers to resolve conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and so on.
The first US aircraft carrier to carry a nuclear propulsion system was built in 1961 and was named the Enterprise. Today it is one of its length is 342 meters.
In the USSR, Admiral Kuznetsov believed that the future belonged to aircraft carriers. Therefore, under his command, the construction of several cruisers was launched, but after Kuznetsov's departure, the new Admiral Gorshkov closed the projects. However, in 1967 it was decided to build "Minsk", "Kiev" and "Novorossiysk".
The largest aircraft carriers in the world
First of all, we need to talk about warships with aircraft on board the Nimitz class. These giants are considered the largest and most powerful not only in the United States, but throughout the world. In total, about ten ships were built. Each of them cost the government about $ 4.5-5.0 billion. The last aircraft carrier is considered the most powerful and is named after the 41st, George W. Bush. On board the "George Bush" can carry about 90 units of military equipment. There are fighters of various brands, and combat helicopters... It is assumed that each Nimitz-class aircraft carrier will operate for 50 years, and only after that it will be decommissioned. But the US has already started building next-generation ships. Presumably, these will be aircraft carriers of the Gerald Ford type, the combat power of which will be slightly increased, as will the number of aircraft transported.
The most powerful and largest aircraft carrier in the Russian Federation
The commander-in-chief of the fleet of the Soviet Union, Admiral Kuznetsov, was truly an outstanding person. In his memory was built with the same name. Its length is 305 meters and 10 centimeters. It is worth drawing your attention to the fact that, unlike Western-style aircraft carriers, the designs of Soviet shipbuilders are very different. That there is only the weapons of the cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov". Dozens of large-caliber anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank installations, anti-torpedo weapons and much more. Essentially, there is a heavy defensive offensive weapon. All this, along with what is on board, makes the ship deadly and effective in combat operations. 40 units can be on board at the same time aircraft... Approximately 30 aircraft (fixed wing) and 10 helicopters.
Modified "Admiral Kuznetsov" or "Liaoning"
This ship became the first aircraft carrier that China put into service. Initially "Liaoning" was built in the Nikolaev shipyard in Ukraine for operation in the Soviet Union. However, after the collapse of the USSR, the aircraft carrier went to Ukraine, which after several years of operation so normally and without completing the ship, sold it to China for only 20 million dollars. The Chinese brought the cruiser to mind and put it into service. If you list all the most powerful aircraft carriers in the world, the Liaoning will be in one of the first places. This is due to the fact that it was designed following the example of the cruiser "Admiral Kuznetsov" with some modifications. That is why, on board the ship there is not only a large ammunition reserve, which will last for several hours of intense battle, but also a large number of aircraft. In China, Liaoning is used for pilot training.
"Krechet" from India
Currently, the Indian Navy has 2 aircraft carriers. One of them is called "Vikramaditya", its length is about 283-284 meters. The original name of the ship is "Baku" or "Modified Kiev". It was built back in the Soviet Union, but after its collapse, Russia decided to write off the vessel, which was due to the high cost of maintaining the working condition of the equipment. In 2004, the aircraft carrier was sold for $ 2.5 billion to India. At the same time, the ship was equipped with Russian fighters and weapons. If we call all the modern aircraft carriers in the world, then "Vikramaditya" is one of them. In 2013, this ship was put into service. An aircraft-carrying cruiser of this class can carry on board about 36 aircraft, mostly Russian-made fighters.
Aircraft carrier "Sao Paulo"
Type "Clemenceau" were in service with France for 39 years. There were only two such ships. One was decommissioned in 2000, and the second was sold to Brazil for just $ 12 million. From the moment of purchase, Brazilian engineers, with the support of French colleagues, began to modernize the vessel. Changes were made not only to the armament, which was almost completely updated, but also to the flight deck, which was somewhat expanded. In the end, the engines were changed, all kinds of sensors, etc. However, it is difficult to say that everything has always been good at Sao Paulo. For example, in 2005 and 2012 there were fires, which resulted in the death of several sailors. "Sao Paulo" can carry 39 units of military equipment on board. The offensive potential is realized by Skyhawk, an American light attack aircraft. The length of the ship is 264 meters 80 centimeters.
Charles de Gaulle
Currently, they are in service with several aircraft carriers. One of them is "Charles de Gaulle". In fact, this ship is the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier not in service with the US Navy. The construction of the ship cost the state approximately $ 4 billion. The aircraft carrier was launched in 2000, although it was planned to do this a little earlier, but due to the crisis, construction was frozen. Since the reactor is nuclear, the ship can sail without refueling for about 20 years and carry about 40 aircraft on board. It was repeatedly said that in 1993, MI-6 spies entered the Charles de Gaulle and, although they managed to inspect the ship, could not get off it, as they were seized. Currently, many aircraft carriers of the countries of the world are taking part in combat operations, and Charles de Gaulle is among them.
Conclusion
As you can see, every country's navy needs aircraft carriers. Of course, today the dominance of the sea belongs to the United States, since there are more of their ships there, they have modern equipment. Nevertheless, Russia, as well as a number of other countries, such as Japan and Great Britain, have potential. Currently, there are a large number of promising projects. For example, Japan plans to launch an aircraft carrier this year. own production Izumo. True, since Japan does not have a building permit aircraft-carrying cruisers, he is declared as a helicopter carrier. In the same year, the Indian Victrant is to be launched, and in 2020 - Queen Elizabeth (Great Britain). That's all there is to say about what they are, the best aircraft carriers in the world, and what makes each of these giants remarkable.
Man puts a lot of love, all the power of inspiration and knowledge into his inventions. Even those that bring destruction and death. There are always excuses that this is all to protect and maintain the world order.
All this fully applies to the invention of the miracle of human thought - aircraft carriers.
The idea to combine aviation and navy originated at the end of the 19th century. Then, balloons were used as aircraft taking off from ships. The inefficiency and low maneuverability of balloons made us think about more advanced projects - the creation of floating airfields for aircraft. On November 14, 1910, the idea took on real features, and an airplane took off for the first time from the deck of the cruiser Birmingham. Two months later, the plane not only took off, but was also able to land on the deck of the ship.
For the first time, aircraft carriers took part in hostilities during the First World War. Of the leading belligerent countries of World War II, only the United States, Britain, Japan and France used aircraft carriers. The USSR and Italy were never able to implement their projects to create ships of this class. Germany launched the aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin, but this ship never went to sea and did not take part in hostilities. On April 24, 1945 it was sunk by its own crew. In the summer of 1945, it was raised from the bottom and enlisted as a combat unit in the Soviet Navy, but under the 1947 treaty it was re-flooded, already forever.
Today's aircraft carriers are real floating military bases, in which many types of troops are synthesized. These giants are capable of delivering entire squadrons in a short time to any point in the ocean, to any coast of the world. In addition, modern aircraft carriers are equipped with strategic nuclear and missile weapons.
Consider the largest representatives of this class of warships, not forgetting, by tradition, to look at the pages of history.
HMS Argus (UK)
The Argus, named after the mythological hero, became the first classic aircraft carrier to enter the British Navy. Before that, battleships were used for takeoff and landing of aircraft, changing their design. For the first time a flat take-off and landing deck was built on "Argus".
Wartime changed the plans for UK shipbuilding. Initially, the Argus was planned to be used as a passenger transport, but on September 16, 1918, it was launched as an aircraft carrier.
The Sopwith Cuckoo squadron was assigned to the Argus. In a modified design with reinforced anti-aircraft and artillery weapons, "Argus" took part in the Second World War. After receiving severe damage in a battle with a German submarine and aircraft on November 10, 1942, the Argus was decommissioned and used as a training ship.
The creation of "Argus" has spurred other countries to implement projects to create floating airfields.
Want to know about the biggest battles of World War II? The site has a very interesting one about it.
Lexington (USA)
"Lexington" with a displacement of 30,000 tons in the 20s of the twentieth century became the largest ship in the world of this class. The Americans built their first large aircraft carrier for 4 years and launched it in October 1925.
The length of the ship was 270.6 meters and the width of the flight deck was 39.6 meters. With its large dimensions, the aircraft carrier developed a speed of 34 knots. The deck of the ship housed 70 aircraft of various modifications. Most of the deck squadron "Lexington" consisted of fighters - 22 units. Including 12 torpedo bombers were part of the aviation.
During the Pearl Harbor raid, the Lexington was off Midway Atoll. After taking part in small battles with Japanese ships, and on May 8, 1942, in a battle with Japanese aircraft carriers "Shokaku" and "Zuikaku", he was hit and sank.
Shinano (Japan)
The largest aircraft carrier during the Second World War was created by Japanese designers and shipbuilders.
After the victorious raid on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese suffered a number of significant setbacks in the Pacific theater of operations. In order to regain Japan's superiority in the ocean, on November 28, 1944, the large aircraft carrier Shinano entered its first military campaign.
Its deck amazed contemporaries with its dimensions, 256 by 40 meters. The aircraft carrier was equipped with modern anti-aircraft weapons, artillery pieces, 12 anti-aircraft unguided missiles. The aircraft carrier accommodated 42 aircraft.
The fate of "Shinano" was tragic. 17 hours after the first exit to sea, the American submarine SS-311 fired 6 torpedoes at the ship. Damaged, Shinano sank. The destroyers accompanying him rescued 1,080 people from the Shinano's crew, 1,435 people were reported missing.
Iowa (USA)
This type of battleship of the US Navy cannot be fully called aircraft carriers. All 4 ships built according to this project during the Second World War were created as high-speed ships capable of withstanding the enemy's surface and submarine fleets.
In August 1943, the Iowa took up combat duty in Norwegian waters, where, according to intelligence, the German giant Tirpitz was operating. Yes and american ship had a length of 270 meters.
In addition to the standard artillery armament, the Iowa had two catapults for launching seaplanes. A total of 3 aircraft were provided on the battleship. There were no platforms and a hangar for the aircraft on the ship, two aircraft were constantly on catapults, the third was on the deck between them.
After World War II, Iowa took part in hostilities in the Korean War. Since July 2012, the museum ship has been at the Port of Los Angeles.
Midway (USA)
Midway became the very first heavy aircraft carrier built by US designers. Designed in the early 1940s, it entered service on September 10, 1945, never having time to participate in the hostilities of World War II.
Designed on the basis of British developments, the Midway was significantly superior to the ships of this class in terms of technical and tactical characteristics. The length of the ship was 295 meters, and the width of the take-off deck was 41.45 meters. 12 engines and 4 turbines allowed the heavy aircraft carrier due to armor and weapons to reach speeds of 33 knots.
Ships of this type have become combat centenarians, having been in the US Navy for more than 40 years. Midway took part in the post-war conflicts in Vietnam and Korea. In 1991, he provided aviation and missile support for the ground operation of American troops in Iraq. On April 11, 1992, Midway was decommissioned and made into a museum.
And read about the Second World War on the site.
Admiral Kuznetsov (Russia)
The aircraft carrier was built during the Soviet era at the Nikolaev shipyard, and today it is the only ship of this type in the Russian Navy.
The fate of the ship was surprisingly connected with the history of the country in which it was designed and built. Construction began on September 1, 1982 under the name "Riga". In 1982, after the death of the Secretary General in November 1982, the ship under construction was renamed to Leonid Brezhnev. In an unfinished state, it was launched in 1985. On August 11, 1987, the aircraft carrier was renamed and its combat tests in 1988-1989 took place under the name "Tbilisi".
The ship had a number of significant defects and malfunctions, which is why it repeatedly returned to the docks. On October 4, 1990 it received its present name "Admiral Kuznetsov". The twenty-year period of its history, up to 2011, the aircraft carrier was either under repair or being altered.
"Admiral Kuznetsov" is one of the largest ships of this class. Its length is 302 meters, the greatest width is 71.9 meters. The aircraft carrier has 28 aircraft and 24 helicopters in combat deployment.
The Russian aircraft carrier is in many ways inferior to its American counterparts. From the very beginning of the era of building aircraft carriers in Russia, this idea did not take root. After the military operation in Syria in 2016 - early 2017, "Admiral Kuznetsov" was returned to the home base. Thebiggest hopes that a powerful, functional and reliable aircraft carrier will replace the Admiral Kuznetsov in the near future. Although such conversations are not observed in military circles.
John F. Kennedy (USA)
"John F. Kennedy" became the last aircraft carrier of the American project "Kitty Hawk", begun in the 40s of the twentieth century.
This combat ship made its first military campaign on September 7, 1968. The length of the aircraft carrier is 320.6 meters, the width at its widest point is 76.8 meters. The ship can accommodate up to 80 aircraft on its deck.
An unpleasant incident occurred with the aircraft carrier in 1975, when as a result of a collision with the cruiser Belknap, the cruiser was completely burned up. And this was not the only case of collision with other ships. After combat duty mainly off the coast of Europe, "John F. Kennedy" in 2007 was withdrawn from the US Navy and is in reserve.
The cinematographs revived the ship, filming it in the scene of the movie "2012", where a tsunami carrying an aircraft carrier hits the White House.
Forrestal (USA)
The aircraft carrier, which proudly bore the name of the first US Secretary of Defense, was the first ship of this type to be designed for jet aircraft.
On October 1, 1955, Forrestal left port for her first ocean passage. At that time it was a huge ship 325 meters long and 72.5 meters wide. Up to 90 units of aircraft were placed on the decks of the ship and the runway.
Floating airfield "Forrestal" hosted active participation in support of ground operations of the American army, but this ship can be called the most unlucky.
In the navy he was nicknamed "Zippo" because of the frequent fires that occur on the ship. It also happened that a rocket launched from the ship caused a fire that lasted 14 hours.
The ship was decommissioned in 1993. Forrestal was bought by one of the companies from the US Navy for one cent and cut into scrap metal in 2015.