The 5 largest aircraft carrier classes in the world

The US dominates the rankings with its Ford and Nitmitz-class aircraft carriers, leaving the rest of the world's powers far behind.

USS Gerald R. Ford is the world's largest aircraft carrier.

Aircraft carriers serve as mobile bases at sea and are also the military pride of great powers. Possessing large aircraft carriers shows the military potential, as well as the industrial and financial level of each country. Of the five largest aircraft carriers in the world, the US alone owns two different classes, according to Naval Technology.

Gerald R. Ford-class supercarrier

With a full load displacement of 100,000 tons, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is the largest aircraft carrier in the world. The first Ford-class ship was delivered to the US Navy in May for sea trials, before reaching initial operational capability (IOC) in 2020.

The USS Gerald R. Ford's flight deck is 78 meters wide and is equipped with an electromagnetic launch system (EMALS) and state-of-the-art arresting cables. The ship can carry more than 75 aircraft of various types and a crew of 4,539 people.

The new US supercarrier is equipped with two A1B nuclear reactors with a capacity 2.5 times higher than the reactors on Nimitz-class ships. The USS Gerald R. Ford is equipped with defensive weapons such as medium-range air defense missiles RIM-162 ESSM, short-range RIM-116 RAM Block 2 and Phalanx close-in defense weapons system 20mm caliber.

Nimitz-class aircraft carriers

The Nimitz class, with a displacement of 97,000-100,000 tons, is the second largest aircraft carrier in the world. The US Navy currently operates a fleet of 10 Nimitz-class ships, the newest of which is the USS George HW Bush (CVN-77), commissioned in January 2009. Each Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is designed to operate for 50 years with only one overhaul and refueling.

Nimitz-class aircraft carriers practice maneuvers at sea.

The Nimitz class is capable of carrying more than 60 aircraft of various types and a crew of about 5,000 people. This is the main aircraft carrier, helping the US deploy military forces around the world.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is equipped with two nuclear reactors, helping the ship reach a maximum speed of more than 55 km/h. To counter threats, the ship is integrated with RIM-7 medium-range missiles, Phalanx close-in defense guns and RIM-116 RAM short-range missiles mounted on the bow. The Nimitz class will be gradually replaced by the US Navy with Ford-class supercarriers in the 2020s.

Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier

With a displacement of 65,000 tonnes, the Queen Elizabeth class is the largest warship in British naval history. HMS Queen Elizabeth, the first ship of this class, began sea trials on June 26 and is expected to be commissioned in 2020. The next ship, HMS Prince of Wales, is expected to be commissioned in 2023.

Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth sets sail for sea trials.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is three times larger than the older Invincible-class aircraft carriers, and can carry up to 40 aircraft and helicopters of various types. Automated systems help the ship operate well with a crew of just 679.

Each new British aircraft carrier is equipped with a Phalanx gun system and machine guns for self-defense. The Queen Elizabeth class is equipped with two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine engines and four diesel generators, giving the ship a top speed of 46 km/h.

Project 1143.5 Kuznetsov aircraft carrier

Project 1143.5 "Kuznetsov" includes the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and the Chinese Liaoning, and the Indian project 1143 "Kiev" INS Vikramaditya. With a full load displacement of 58,500 tons, this class of ships ranks fourth among the world's largest aircraft carriers.

Russian Navy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.

The 14,700 m2 runway and flight deck allow Admiral Kuznetsov to carry Su-33 and MiG-29K fighters, Su-25UTG/UBP attack aircraft for training missions, along with Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters, Ka-27PS rescue helicopters and Ka-31 early warning helicopters. The ship usually sails with a crew of 2,626 people.

The Russian aircraft carrier uses a gas turbine engine, helping it reach a maximum speed of 59 km/h. The ship is equipped with AK-630 close-range anti-aircraft guns, Kashtan artillery-missile complexes, P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles and RBU-12000 anti-submarine rocket launchers.

Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier

Charles de Gaulle (R91) is the flagship of the French Navy and the largest warship in service in Western Europe. It is also the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world not in service with the United States Navy.

The ship is 261 m long, 64 m wide, and has a full load displacement of 42,500 tons. The nuclear engine allows Charles de Gaulle to travel at a maximum speed of 27 nautical miles/hour, with an unlimited range, depending only on the amount of supplies carried, for a maximum of 45 consecutive days. The time between each refueling of Charles de Gaulle is about 20-25 years.

Operations on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

The French aircraft carrier can carry 28-40 aircraft, including Dassault Rafale M fighters, E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft, EC725 Caracal and AS532 Cougar helicopters. Thanks to the use of a steam-powered catapult launch system (CATOBAR), Charles de Gaulle is the only aircraft carrier outside the US that can receive and operate F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters and C-2 Greyhounds.

For self-defense, the ship is equipped with 32 Aster-15 air defense missiles with a range of 30 km, 12 Mistral short-range missiles, and 8 Giat 20F2 20 mm cannons.

According to VNE