The United States currently operates two classes of aircraft carriers: the Nimitz class, the world’s second-largest aircraft carrier, and the Gerald R. Ford class, the largest in the world.

The first carrier in the Nimitz class, USS Nimitz (CVN 68), deployed in May 1975 and the tenth and last ship, USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), was commissioned in January 2009.  Nimitz-class carriers have a full load displacement of 97,000 tons, are capable of carrying more than 60 aircraft, can accommodate about 5,000 personnel, and are powered by two nuclear reactors.  Each is designed to operate for 50 years, with just one mid-life overhaul.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the first of its class, was christened in November 2013, delivered to the Navy in May 2017, and is expected to achieve operational capability in 2020.  The second ship of this class is currently under construction.  Gerald R. Ford-class carriers have a full load displacement of 100,000 tons, are capable of carrying more than 75 aircraft, can accommodate 4,539 personnel, and are powered by two nuclear reactors.

The Gerald R. Ford class will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and early decisive striking power in combat operations.  These aircraft carriers bring improved warfighting capability, quality of life improvement for sailors, and reduced total ownership costs.  Each ship will save almost $4 billion during its 50-year service life compared to the Nimitz class.