From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The A4W reactor is a naval reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The A4W designation stands for:
The only ships to use these nuclear reactors are the Nimitz class supercarriers, which operate with a pair of A4Ws aboard each vessel. The reactors are built and designed by Westinghouse. The steam generators for each of the Nimitz class' reactors are capable of supplying enough energy to produce 140,000 shaft horsepower (104 MWe).[1] The A4W reactor cores are expected to have a lifespan of approximately 23 years.[citation needed]
[edit] Design
The reactor is a nuclear fission pressurized water reactor (PWR). The Westinghouse Electric Corporation was awarded the building rights to the A4W reactor. The reactor was jointly designed by Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory.[2]
[edit] References
