The largest aircraft carriers in the world. Modern aircraft carriers of the world

The aircraft carrier is a combat and strategic ship. The main striking power lies in aviation, which is located on the deck. These giants have everything for repair, maintenance, and temporary storage of helicopters and aircraft. To date, all operating aircraft carriers of the world have large dimensions, as well as the most advanced equipment. Let's talk on this topic in more detail and in detail we will consider some of the biggest ships. Among them will be legends, and aircraft carriers still in service.

general information

For the first time the world's largest aircraft carriers began to be used by the British during the First World War. Over time, the British government realized that it is much easier to protect the borders using mobile ships. By the Second World War, the British were in the lead in the number of cruisers, but eventually they lost to the US leadership. As for the current situation, then, of course, aircraft carriers are not only combat units carrying a small army of aviation, 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 there is a nuclear exchange, the world's largest aircraft carriers will become the primary goal. Powerful power plants allow you to stay in the open sea for dozens of years.

Modern aircraft carriers

To date, the US Navy is most active in such ships. In the arsenal of the country there are about 11 aircraft carriers and 10 are being designed, while the Russian Federation has only one operating and two being built. The US uses cruisers to resolve conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and so on.

The first US aircraft carrier, which had a nuclear propulsion system on board, was built in 1961 and was called the Enterprise. Today it is one of the largest ships in the world. Its length is 342 meters.

In the USSR, Admiral Kuznetsov believed that the future of aircraft carriers was. Therefore, under his command, the construction of several cruisers was launched, but after the departure of Kuznetsov, the new Admiral Gorshkov closed the projects. However, in the 67th year it was decided to build "Minsk", "Kiev" and "Novorossiysk".

The world's largest aircraft carriers

First of all, we need to talk about warships with aviation on board the Nimitz class. These giants are considered to be the largest and most powerful not only in the US, but throughout the world. A total of about ten ships were built. Each of them cost the government about 4.5-5.0 billion dollars. The last aircraft carrier is considered the most powerful and named in honor of the 41st President of the United States, George Bush Sr.. On board, "George Bush" can transport about 90 units of military equipment. There are fighters of different brands, and helicopter gunships. It is assumed that each aircraft carrier class "Nimitz" will be used for 50 years, and only after that it will be written off. But the US has already started building ships of the next generation. Presumably, these will be aircraft carriers of the Gerald Ford type, the combat power of which will be slightly increased, as well as the quantity of aircraft transported.

The most powerful and large aircraft carrier of the Russian Federation

Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet of the Soviet Union, Admiral Kuznetsov was really an outstanding personality. In his memory a heavy aircraft carrying cruiser of the same name was built. Its length is 305 meters and 10 centimeters. It is worthwhile to draw your attention to the fact that unlike aircraft carriers of the Western model, the development of Soviet shipbuilders is very different. What is worth only the armament of the cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov. Dozens of large-caliber antiaircraft guns, anti-tank installations, anti-torpedo weapons and much more. In fact, there is a heavy defensive offensive weapon. All this, along with aviation equipment on board, makes the ship deadly and effective in conducting combat operations. At the same time on board the ship can be 40 units of aircraft. Approximately 30 aircraft (with fixed wing) and 10 helicopters.

Modified "Admiral Kuznetsov" or "Liaoning"

This ship was the first aircraft carrier, which put China in its arsenal. Initially, "Liaoning" was built in the Mykolayiv shipyard in Ukraine for exploitation 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 not completing the ship, sold it for only 20 million dollars to China. The Chinese brought the cruiser to mind and put it on their armament. If you list all the most powerful aircraft carriers in the world, then Liaoning will be in one of the first places. It 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 not only a large ammunition, which is enough for several hours of intense battle, but also a large number of aircraft. In China, Liaoning is used to train pilots.

Krichet from India

At present, the armed forces of the Indian Navy have 2 aircraft carriers. One of them has the name "Vikramaditya", its length is about 283-284 meters. The original name of the ship is "Baku" or "Modified Kiev". It was built in the Soviet Union, but after its disintegration, 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 dollars in India. At the same time the ship was equipped with Russian fighters and weapons. If you call all the modern aircraft carriers of the world, then "Vikramaditya" is one of them. In 2013, this ship was adopted for service. An aircraft-carrying cruiser of this class can carry on board about 36 aircraft, mostly Russian-made fighters.

The aircraft carrier "Sao Paulo"

The aircraft-carrying cruisers of the Clemenceau type were in service with France for 39 years. In total there were two such ships. One in 2000 was decommissioned, and the second - sold to Brazil for only 12 million dollars. Since the purchase, Brazilian engineers, with the support of their French colleagues, have begun to modernize the ship. The changes were not only to the weapons, which were almost completely updated, but also the flight deck, which was somewhat expanded. In the end, the engines, all kinds of sensors, etc. were changed. However, it is difficult to say that the "Sao Paulo" has always been good. For example, in 2005 and 2012 there were fires, which resulted in the death of several sailors. "Sao Paulo" can carry on its board 39 units of military equipment. 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, the French Navy is armed with several aircraft carriers. One of them is Charles de Gaulle. In fact, this ship is the only nuclear aircraft carrier that is not in the arsenal of the US Navy. Construction of the ship cost the state about 4 billion dollars. The aircraft carrier was launched in 2000, although it was planned to do this a little earlier, but because of the crisis the construction was frozen. Since the reactor is nuclear, the ship can swim without refueling for about 20 years and carry on board about 40 units of air equipment. Repeatedly it was said that in 1993, Mi-6 spies penetrated aboard the Charles de Gaulle, although they managed to inspect the ship, but they could not get away from it, as they were seized. At present, many aircraft carriers of the countries of the world take part in combat operations, and Charles de Gaulle among them.

Conclusion

As you can see, each country's fleet needs aircraft carriers. Undoubtedly, for the moment, the USA belongs to the sea, as there are more of them there, they have modern equipment. Nevertheless, Russia has a potential, as well as a number of other countries, such as Japan and the United Kingdom. Currently, there are a large number of promising projects. For example, this year Japan plans to launch an aircraft carrier of its own production, Izumo. True, since Japan does not have permission to build aircraft-carrying cruisers, it is declared as a helicopter carrier. In the same year, the Indian "Viktrant", and in 2020 - "Queen Elizabeth" (Great Britain) must also sink to the water. That's all that can be told about what they are, the best aircraft carriers of the world, and what is remarkable about each of these giants.