USS Ronald Reagan (CVN* 76), Nimitz Class

Mission Statement

The mission of USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) will be to provide sea-based tactical air power for defense of America's right to freedom of the seas as well as the protection of United States sovereignty. USS RONALD REAGAN will be capable of projecting tactical air power over the sea and inland, as well as providing sea-based air defense and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. USS RONALD REAGAN will execute response options ranging from peacetime presence to general war.

The air wing embarked will be able to destroy enemy aircraft, ships, submarines, and land targets, or lay mines hundreds of miles from the ship. USS RONALD REAGAN's aircraft will be used to conduct strikes, support land battles, protect the battle group or other friendly shipping, and implement a sea or air blockade. The air wing will provide a visible presence to demonstrate American power and resolve in a crisis.

USS RONALD REAGAN's two nuclear reactors will give her virtually unlimited range and endurance and a top speed in excess of 30 knots. The ship's four catapults and three arresting gear engines will enable her to launch and recover aircraft rapidly and simultaneously. The ship will carry approximately three million gallons of fuel for her aircraft and escorts, and enough weapons and stores for extended operations without replenishment. USS RONALD REAGAN will have extensive repair capabilities, including a fully equipped Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, a micro-miniature electronics repair shop, and numerous ship repair shops.

Links

Homeport
Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego

CVN 76 Web Site
http://www.reagan.navy.mil/

Navy NewsStand focus on USS Ronald Reagan
http://www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn76/

General Characteristics, Enterprise Builders: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va. Power Plant: Eight nuclear reactors, four shafts Length, overall: 1,101 feet 2 inches (335.64 meters) Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (75.6 meters) Beam: 133 feet (39.9 meters) Displacement: 89,600 tons ( 81,283.8 metric tons) full load Speed: 30+ knots (34.5 miles per hour) Aircraft: 85 Ship:USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Norfolk, Va. Crew: Ship's Company: 3,350 - Air Wing 2,480 Armament: Two Sea Sparrow missile launchers, three Phalanx 20 mm CIWS mounts Date Deployed: November 25, 1961 (USS Enterprise)	USS Enterprise
General Characteristics, John F. Kennedy Builders: Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va. Power Plant: Eight boilers, four shafts, 280,000 total shaft horsepower Length, overall: 1052 feet (315.6 meters) Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters) Beam: 130 feet (39.6 meters) Displacement: 82,000 tons (74,389.1 metric tons) full load Speed: 30+ knots (34.5 miles per hour) Aircraft: Approximately 85. Ship: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67); Mayport, Fla. Crew: Ship's Company: 3,117 - Air Wing 2,480 Armament: Sea Sparrow missiles with box launchers, Three 20mm Phalanx CIWS Date Deployed: September 7, 1968	USS Kennedy
General Characteristics, Kitty Hawk Class Builders: CV 63 - New York Ship Building Corp., Camden, N.J. CV 64 - New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y. Power Plant: Eight boilers, four geared steam turbines, four shafts, 280,000 shaft horsepower. Length, overall: 1062.5 feet (323.8 meters) Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters) Beam: 130 feet (39 meters) Displacement: Approx. 80,800 tons (73,300.5 metric tons) full load Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour) Aircraft: 85 Ships: USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), Yokosuka, Japan USS Constellation (CV 64), San Diego, Ca. Crew: Ship's Company: 3,150 - Air Wing: 2,480 Armament: Sea Sparrow launchers, 3 20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts Date Deployed: April 29, 1961 (USS Kitty Hawk)	USS Constellation & USS Kitty Hawk

What do the initials CVN stand for in the ship's name?

CVN is ther ship's "hull classification symbol" while 76 is the hull number. "C" means aircraft carrier, "V" indicates fixed wing (vice rotating wings as on helicopters), and "N" stands for nuclear powered. So CVN means (in Navy-speak) "aircraft carrier, fixed wing, nuclear powered".