United States Navy CVN-21 program

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United States
CVN-78 (artist depiction)
Builders:	Northrop Grumman Newport News
Operators:	United States Navy
Preceding class:	Nimitz
Ships in Class
Ships in class:	3
Ships planned but not completed:	3
Ships planned:	CVN 78 CVN 79 CVN 80
General Characteristics
Class type:	Nuclear powered supercarrier
Displacement:	100,000 tons
Length:	1,092 feet (332,84 m)
Beam:	134 feet
Draught:	Unknown
Propulsion and power:	2 nuclear reactors
Speed:	30+ knots
Complement:	4,660
Armament:	Surface-to-air missiles Close-in weapons systems
Aircraft complement:	More than 75
Aircraft facilities:	1,092 x 256 foot flight deck

The United States Navy CVN-21 program ("21st Century Aircraft Carrier") is the next generation supercarrier for the United States Navy. Before its redesignation as the CVN-21 carrier program this project was known by the initials CVNX carrier program. It should not be confused with CV 21, the hull designation for the post-World War II carrier USS Boxer, which was in service from 1945-1969.

Carriers of the CVN-21 class will incorporate many new design features including a new nuclear reactor design (the A1B reactor), stealthier features to help reduce radar profile, electromagnetic catapults, advanced arresting gear, and reduced crewing requirements. The U.S. Navy believes that with the addition of the most modern equipment and extensive use of automation they will be able to reduce the total cost of future aircraft carriers. If the Navy can reduce the cost of constructing and maintaining an aircraft carrier, they will overcome the biggest complaint received in the U.S. Congress — that of funding.

The first hull of the CVN-21 (formerly CVNX) line will be CVN-78. The CVN-21 uses the basic hull design of the preceding Nimitz-class, though that is where the similarities will end.

As of October 2005, one CVN-21 is planned to start construction in 2007 and finish in 2015. It is estimated to cost at least $13 billion, but this includes the $5 billion spent on R&D and is not representative of the cost of future members of the class.

At present a total of three carriers have been authorized for construction, but some military analysts think that the CVN-21 carrier program could eventually reach a total of ten carriers.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Units

CVN 78, unnamed (2015) — Scheduled to replace USS Enterprise.
CVN 79, unnamed (2018)
CVN 80, unnamed (2021)

[edit] External links

Rendering of the CVN 78, intended to be the next generation supercarrier for the United States Navy. Construction could begin as early as 2007.

Defense Industry Daily: Design & Preparations Continue for the USA's New CVN-21 Super-Carrier (updated). Provides an extensive briefing re: the new ship class, and adds entries for many of the contracts under this program.

Defense Industry Daily: Costing the CVN-21: A DID Primer. Covers the true costs of the CVN-21, how those are calculated, and where the $5 billion savings on operational costs is expected to come from over the ship's planned 50-year lifetime.