How Many Aircraft Carriers Does the U.S. Have? (It Is Less Than You Think)
The United States has the most powerful navy in the world and a fleet of aircraft carriers is one of its most impressive assets. The U.S. Navy currently has eleven active aircraft carriers, with an additional two scheduled to enter service in the coming years.

The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers are some of the most advanced and powerful warships in the world. They are capable of carrying up to 90 aircraft, as well as a variety of other weapons and equipment. Aircraft carriers are an essential part of the U.S. Navy’s ability to project power around the world and defend the nation’s interests.
Active Aircraft Carriers:
- USS Gerald R. Ford (commissioned in 2017, first of the Ford-class, largest and most advanced carrier in the world)
- USS John C. Stennis
- USS Nimitz
- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
- USS George H.W. Bush
- USS Carl Vinson
- USS Theodore Roosevelt
- USS Abraham Lincoln
- USS Harry S. Truman
- USS Ronald Reagan
- USS George Washington
All of the active aircraft carriers are classified as Nimitz-class vessels, varying in size and capabilities. The USS Gerald R. Ford, for example, boasts advanced features such as electromagnetic aircraft launch systems, improved nuclear reactors, and advanced radar and communication systems.
The two aircraft carriers currently under construction are:
- USS John F. Kennedy (second of the Ford-class, expected completion date: 2024)
- USS Enterprise (first of the new Enterprise-class, expected completion date: 2027)
In addition to the 11 active aircraft carriers, the United States Navy has other vessels that can launch aircraft, such as amphibious assault ships, light aircraft carriers, and helicopter carriers. These vessels may not be classified as aircraft carriers, but they are still capable of launching aircraft for a variety of missions.

Overall, the United States Navy’s aircraft carriers are a powerful symbol of American naval power, capable of launching a range of aircraft (fighters, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, and helicopters) and can be deployed to regions around the world to protect and defend the United States’ interests.
The first U.S. aircraft carrier was the USS Langley, commissioned in 1922. The Langley was originally a collier, a ship used to transport coal, but it was converted into an aircraft carrier during World War I. The Langley was the first ship of its kind in the U.S. Navy, and it served as a prototype for later aircraft carriers.
The USS Langley was an important part of naval history. It was used to launch the first successful aircraft launch from an American ship during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. The Langley also played an important role in the Battle of Midway, helping to protect the American fleet from Japanese aircraft.
The USS Langley saw action throughout the Pacific theater during World War II, and it was eventually sunk by Japanese forces in the Philippines in 1942. The Langley was the first of many aircraft carriers in the U.S. Navy, and it paved the way for future aircraft carriers to come.
Today, the U.S. Navy has more than a dozen aircraft carriers in its fleet, including the USS Nimitz, the USS George H.W. Bush, and the USS Gerald R. Ford. These modern aircraft carriers are a testament to the legacy of the USS Langley, and they continue to serve as the backbone of the U.S. Navy.
What is the largest aircraft carrier in the world?
The United States Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class supercarrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, is the largest aircraft carrier in the world. Measuring 1,106 feet (0.34 km) long and with a total displacement of approximately 100,000 tons, this massive ship is a testament to modern naval engineering.
The Ford-class carriers are the first of their kind, featuring a revolutionary new flight deck layout, advanced weapons and sensors, and the latest in nuclear power technology. (Insert image of the USS Gerald R. Ford)
The Ford-class carriers are equipped with four 20-megawatt Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) systems, which are the largest in the world. They also feature two electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS), which allow for faster and safer launches of air assets. The ship is also equipped with dual-band radar, which provides 360-degree coverage, allowing it to detect and track both air and surface targets.
The Ford-class carriers have a full suite of offensive and defensive weapons, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). This is in addition to the carrier’s Air Wing, which consists of a variety of different aircraft, including the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, E-2D Hawkeye, and others.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is capable of performing a variety of missions across the globe and is truly an impressive sight to behold. It is a state-of-the-art ship that demonstrates the United States Navy’s commitment to modern naval engineering and technology. To learn more about the USS Gerald R. Ford and the Ford-class carriers, visit the United States Navy’s website.
Have Any U.S. Aircraft Carriers Ever Been Sunk?

Aircraft carriers are the backbone of the United States Navy and have been for the past century. These massive ships are some of the most powerful vessels on the seas, capable of launching and recovering aircraft in all weather conditions. They are also some of the most heavily defended ships in the world.

Have any U.S. aircraft carriers ever been sunk? The answer is yes. The most famous example is the USS Yorktown, lost to Japanese forces during the Battle of Midway in 1942. The Yorktown had been severely damaged by Japanese bombers and was scuttled to prevent it from being captured by the Japanese.

Other U.S. aircraft carriers have also been sunk, though none as famously as the Yorktown. In 1945, the USS Bunker Hill was sunk by Japanese Kamikaze attacks in the Battle of Okinawa. The USS Princeton was sunk by Japanese aircraft in October of 1944. The USS Independence was sunk by Japanese submarines in July of 1945.
All of these ships are now resting on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, a reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who served on them. While U.S. aircraft carriers have been sunk in the past, their legacy of strength and power live on in the modern Navy.

How Many Aircraft Carriers Are There Worldwide?
Aircraft carriers are one of the most powerful weapons in the modern world. Their ability to project air power over long distances has made them invaluable to many navies around the world. But just how many aircraft carriers are there?
The answer to this question depends on who you ask. For example, the United States Navy has 11 active aircraft carriers, while the Royal Navy has two. Other navies, such as those of China, India, and Russia, also have several carriers in active service.

But these are just the carriers that are actively deployed. The total number of aircraft carriers in the world is much higher. According to a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, there are a total of 76 aircraft carriers from all navies around the world.
This number includes both active and decommissioned carriers. Of these, only 19 are considered to be “fully operational”.
It’s also important to consider that many countries are in the process of building new carriers. For example, China has reportedly been constructing its own aircraft carrier and is expected to launch it in the near future.
Overall, the total number of aircraft carriers in the world is constantly changing. As new navies join the race and existing carriers are decommissioned or retired, the total number of carriers in the world is likely to increase in the coming years.
What is the Most Expensive Aircraft Carrier?
The USS Gerald R. Ford, named after the 38th President of the United States, was commissioned in July 2017 and is currently in active service with the United States Navy. It is the first of its class, with two more ships, the USS John F. Kennedy and the USS Enterprise, currently under construction.
Compared to its predecessors, the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, the Ford-class carriers have a number of significant improvements. For example, the Ford-class carriers have a smaller crew size and are designed to operate with fewer personnel. This is achieved through the use of advanced automation and robotics systems.

One of the most notable advancements of the Ford-class carriers is the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). This system uses electrical energy to launch aircraft off the flight deck, rather than the traditional steam-powered catapults. The EMALS system is more efficient and can launch a wider range of aircraft, including heavier and more advanced aircraft.
The USS Gerald R. Ford also boasts an advanced arresting gear system, which is capable of recovering aircraft more quickly and safely than ever before. This system uses a series of cables and arresting gear to bring aircraft to a safe stop on the flight deck.
In addition to these advancements in aircraft launch and recovery systems, the USS Gerald R. Ford also features an integrated warfare system, which allows the ship to operate more efficiently and effectively as part of a larger task force. It also has improved radiation protection, better fuel efficiency, and upgraded communications systems.
Overall, the USS Gerald R. Ford is a remarkable technological achievement and a testament to the power of modern naval engineering and the military-industrial complex. Its cost of $13 billion USD is indicative of the complexity and sophistication of the ship, making it the most expensive aircraft carrier ever built. Official website of the USS Gerald R. Ford