Aircraft carriers are the warships that are extremely expensive but they may be considered as the ultimate weapon as it allows a naval force to project air power worldwide.
The US's first aircraft carrier was the USS Langley, which was converted from a collier to an aircraft carrier in 1920.
Aircraft-carrier technology made quick strides, with the US launching the USS Enterprise in 1936. The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise making 20 knots during post-overhaul trials in Puget Sound, Washington, on 13 September 1945.
During and immediately after World War II, aircraft carriers continued to increase in size, onboard technology, and capacity.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) transits the Strait of Hormuz.
The first of the "supercarrier" classes were introduced during the Cold War.
USS Nimitz (CVN-68), a US Navy aircraft supercarrier.
The US has 10 Nimitz-class supercarriers.
At sea aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Jan. 25, 2003 -- F/A 18 “Hornet” strike fighter aircraft line up for catapult launches from the ship’s flight deck.
And the US is planning on acquiring and deploying three additional Ford-class supercarriers.
USS Ronald Reagan traveling through the Straits of Magellan, to San Diego, CA, in a transfer move.
The Ford-class will be the next step up from the current Nimitz-class.
The US Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits the Pacific Ocean during a routine patrol.
Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing 11 perform a fly-by performance for Sailors and their family members on a tiger cruise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush transits the Atlantic Ocean while conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) on November 24, 2013. COMPTUEX is a scenario-driven exercise aimed at integrating the ships of the George H.W. Bush Strike Group through a series of live training events.
The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis launches aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 9. The ships comprising the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group are participating in a group sail exercise designed to develop coordinated capabilities.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington conducts a vertical replenishment at sea in the U.S.
An F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighter is prepared for launch aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Chargers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14 performs plane guard operations near the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis.
Two F/A-18E Super Hornets from the Tophatters of Strike Fighter Squadron 14 participate in an air power demonstration over the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson departs San Francisco after participating in San Francisco Fleet Week.
An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron 147, launches off the the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
Lt. Chris Denton, a shooter aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington, gives the signal to launch an E/A-18G Growler from the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron 141 during carrier qualifications.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) leads the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) during a passing exercise with Indian navy ships during Exercise Malabar 2012.
A Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator flies over the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush after successfully completing a catapult launch.
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