You must be wondering how long an Aircraft carrier is roughly. In this article, we will be going through some quick details about the aircraft carrier. How long does it take to manufacture?
What are the types? How long is an Aircraft carrier, and what is its comparison? So, don’t skip and read until the end.
How Long is an Aircraft Carrier?
Aircraft carriers are known to be the world’s largest warships in the sea. The question that arises in people’s minds is how long an aircraft carrier is.
An aircraft carrier is a 350-yard-long, 80-yard-tall, and 80-yard-wide structure composed completely of hardened metal.
It is the strongest ship due to the fact that it has to perform the functions of power projection, quick response for the forces, attacks from the sea, sea base for forces and planes, Humanitarian Aid Disaster Relief (HADR), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) for their country.
It helps to control all the naval forces’ functions as well. The Nimitz Class —nuclear-powered aircraft— is the longest aircraft carrier available.
It’s a 333-meter-long aircraft carrier owned and controlled by the US Navy. This was named after Fleet Admiral W. Nimitz— the last living US Navy officer to hold the rank.
Comparison of Aircraft Carriers in the World of Warships
This section will cover the aspects of how long an aircraft carrier is, who launched it, the displacement, and the year of launching.
Here is a brief comparison of the warship aircraft carriers around the world;
Hosho
- Launched in 1921
- Launched by: Japan
- Length: 168M/ 551FT
- Displacement: 9646T
Zuiho
- Launched in 1936
- Launched by: Japan
- Length: 206M/ 676FT
- Displacement: 11443T
USS Langley
- Launched in 1912
- Launched by: USA
- Length: 165M/ 541FT
- Displacement: 14100T
Príncipe de Asturias
- Launched in 1982
- Launched by: Spanish Navy
- Length: 196M/ 643FT
- Displacement: 16700T
Hyuga
- Launched in 2007
- Launched by: Japan
- Length: 197M/ 646FT
- Displacement: 19000T
Soryu
- Launched in 1935
- Launched by: Japan
- Length: 228M/ 748FT
- Displacement: 19100T
HMS Unicorn (172)
- Launched in 1941
- Launched by: Royal Navy
- Length: 195M/ 748FT
- Displacement: 26000T
HMS Invincible (R05)
- Launched in 1977
- Launched by: Royal Navy
- Length: 210M/ 689FT
- Displacement: 22000T
HMAS Melbourne
- Launched in 1945
- Launched by: Royal Australian Navy
- Length: 216M/ 709FT
- Displacement: 22000T
HMS Illustrious (87)
- Launched in 1939
- Launched by: Royal Navy
- Length: 226M/ 741FT
- Displacement: 23369T
USS Yorktown (CV-5)
- Launched in 1936
- Launched by: USA
- Length: 251M/ 823FT
- Displacement: 25900T
Juan Carlos I
- Launched in 2009
- Launched by: Spanish Navy
- Length: 231M/ 758FT
- Displacement: 26000T
USS Essex (CV-9)
- Launched in 1942
- Launched by: USA
- Length: 266M/ 873FT
- Displacement: 27500T
HMS Ark Royal (R09)
- Launched in 1937
- Launched by: Royal Navy
- Length: 240M/ 787FT
- Displacement: 28160T
Aquila
- Launched in 1941
- Launched by: Germany
- Length: 236M/ 774FT
- Displacement: 29200T
Bearn
- Launched in 1920
- Launched by: France
- Length: 183M/ 600FT
- Displacement: 28400T
Cavour
- Launched in 2004
- Launched by: Italy
- Length: 244M/ 801FT
- Displacement: 30000T
Liaoning
- Launched in 1988
- Launched by: China
- Length: 305M/ 1001FT
- Displacement: 67500T
Shandong
- Launched in 2017
- Launched by: China
- Length: 315M/ 1033FT
- Displacement: 70000T
HMS Queen Elizabeth
- Launched in 2014
- Launched By: Royal Navy
- Length: 280M/ 919FT
- Displacement: 72000T
USS Forrestal
- Launched in 1954
- Launched by: USA
- Length: 325M/ 1066FT
- Displacement: 82402T
USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
- Launched in 1960
- Launched by: USA
- Length: 342M/ 1122FT
- Displacement: 94781T
USS Gerald R Ford
- Launched in 2013
- Launched by: USA
- Length: 337M/ 1106FT
- Displacement: 30000T
How Long Does It Take to Manufacture an Aircraft Carrier?
It can take 5 to 7 years of time if you’re constructing an average aircraft carrier.
But the carrier that includes restaurants, medical facilities, and shops for more than 5000 people who will stay in the sea for a longer period can take about 10-12 years of manufacturing.
This time period includes all three phases of Aircraft carrier construction, i.e., lying down, Launching, and commissioning.
What are the Basic Types of Aircraft Carriers?
The basic types of Aircraft carriers include Aircraft cruisers, amphibious assault ships, balloon carriers, escort carriers, fleet carriers, light aircraft carriers, sea control ships, seaplane tenders, flight desk carriers, and anti-submarine warfare carriers.
Bottom Line
We hope this article has briefly answered your query about how long an aircraft carrier is and its other aspects.
