The nightmare of the Nimitz class aircraft carrier can be explained in 2 words

Outdated provider: The Nimitz-class carriers, icons of American power since the Cold War, may struggle in future conflicts dominated by anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems. Although they carry impressive weapons, advanced sensors and a powerful air wing, their effectiveness could be hampered if they are forced to remain outside A2/AD range, potentially negating their role as power projectors.

-As the aging Nimitz-class airlines are phased out in favor of the new Ford class, critics argue that airlines are relics in an A2/AD-dominated world.

-Some believe that U.S. defense priorities should shift toward more adaptable, cost-effective platforms that better meet today’s strategic realities.

The end of an era? Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the A2/AD challenge

The United States has eleven nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Ten of them belong to the Nimitz-class. When the next great power war breaks out, the advent of anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems will have wiped out much of the operational freedom that airlines enjoyed in the postwar era.

Yet American flattops are modern engineering marvels.

These nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were first deployed in 1972 and were designed for a service life of approximately 50 years, with one refueling mid-life. These warships are designed to achieve – and maintain – naval supremacy in a contested environment. Created with America’s Cold War adversary, the Soviet Union, in mind, these large ships are relics of a bygone era.

America’s symbol of power after the Cold War

However, one could argue that their real heyday occurred in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. These systems proved most powerful when the United States emerged as the unchallenged global hegemon in a unipolar world system.

A floating air base that could be deployed anywhere (as long as the shipping lanes are open and the waterways around a target are relatively uncontested), these behemoths stalked the deep blue seas and imposed US will on other countries for decades. They also served as crucial relief ships when humanitarian crises occurred – at great cost to American taxpayers.

But during the Cold War, such operations were one way the Americans defeated the Soviets in the battle for the hearts and minds of the world’s people.

In the post-Cold War era, such taxpayer-funded humanitarian missions served to raise the flag and remind people around the world of America’s power and ubiquity.

Nimitz-Class Carrier Specifications

The Nimitzclass was manufactured by the Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding Company, the large ship is powered by two Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors. She has a crew of approximately 3,200 and more than 2,000 on board as part of the airline’s powerful air wing.

A Nimitz-class aircraft carrier displaces a full load of 100,000 tons.

This boat can reach a speed of over 30 knots (about 34 miles per hour). While each ship of this class has varied arsenals, the Nimitzclass is armed with NATO RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM), which are launched by two to three Mk29 rocket launchers. If the Sea Sparrow SAMs are not needed, the Nimitzclass can fire eight RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM). Along with these systems is a Mk.49 rocket launch system that can deploy 21 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM). A Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) protects the warship.

However, its real offensive capability lies with its air wing. She carries about 60 aircraft (after all, you can’t have an aircraft carrier). without aircraft!) Yet in the current A2/AD era there is real concern among experts that the Nimitz-class airlines would be kept out of reach of A2/AD systems.

Therefore, its air wing could not be deployed in a contested environment as they would be out of range. Of course they could always refuel in the air. The only problem with that is that if the A2/AD network they are up against is as all-encompassing as US rivals – like China – have made them, airborne tankers could also be an easy target.

Here again we have an example of America’s largest surface warship to date being outweighed by relatively cheap A2/AD systems.

Other systems on board that aid the ship’s combat capabilities include superb sensors, such as the AN/SPS-48E electronically scanned array 3D air search radar, the AN/SPS-49 long-range 2D air search radar, AN/SPQ-9 target acquisition radar, AN/SPN- 46 precision approach and landing system, as well as a host of other systems designed to support an airline’s air operations. These aircraft carriers are loaded with electronic warfare suites and torpedo decoys intended to hinder incoming torpedo attacks.

Is a replacement carrier for aging Nimitz-class Needed?

The size, speed and range of the Nimitz-class carrier is impressive. In an uncontested domain or even a contested one with less advanced systems than what most US rivals have deployed today, these carriers would remain the undisputed heavyweight champions of the high seas.

The US has made long-term investments in these airlines and has seen great returns on that investment. Although, as the world enters the A2/AD era, the US Navy should focus its limited capital on developing systems more relevant to this new strategic era.

However, instead of focusing on building relevant technologies for the future, the Navy has decided to break with the new Gerald R Ford-class carriers intended to slowly replace the aging ones Nimitz-class carrier. Here is another great example of Washington not understanding the reality of what we are facing worldwide today. Like the battleship of old, the aircraft carrier is effectively useless in the current A2/AD era.

When the Nimitzclass eventually retires, that should be the end of the carrier.

Author’s experience and expertise: Brandon J. Weichert

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who contributes to The Washington Times, the Asia Times and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, will be released on October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed on Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock.

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