Named after Chester W. Nimitz, a commander of the United States’ Pacific Navy aircraft fleet, the USS Nimitz is one of the biggest aircraft carriers in the world today.
This supercarrier of the US Navy was the first vessel to be launched under the Nimitz class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
The 317 metres long USS Nimitz measures 40.8 metres beam wise and 11.9 metres draught wise, and has a displacement of over 1, 00,000 tons.
The aircraft carrier offers a speed of 31.5 knots and is supplied by two water reactors.
It has a flight deck area of 4.5 acres, biggest when compared to any other warship operating in contemporary times.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers with improved capabilities were designed to replace the carriers of the Kitty Hawk class and Enterprise class.
The air-space on the war vessel can be adjusted according to the nature of the mission to which the ship has been deployed.
USS Nimitz and her sister vessels feature unlimited firing range and have state-of-the-art defence systems in place for anti-aircraft warfare and missile defence.