Author: Brad Elward
Illustrator: Paul Wright

About this book
The Nimitz class aircraft carrier is the ultimate symbol of the United States superpower status. A true behemoth, this is an unsurpassed weapons platform that overshadows all of its nearest rivals. A history of the world's largest aircraft carriers, with runways over 300 meters long, this book looks at the development and deployment of the nuclear-powered Nimitz class aircraft carriers from 1975 when the USS Nimitz, the lead ship of the class, was commissioned, to the present day. All of the class are still operational and the tenth and last of the class, the USS George H. W. Bush, was commissioned in 2009. Here, Brad Elward provides a detailed overview of their design and development, highlighting their unique features, from jet blast deflectors to cutting edge radar systems, and a history of the Nimitz class in service, from deployment in the Gulf during Operation Desert Storm, through to the enforcement of the no fly zone over Bosnia.

Contents

• INTRODUCTION
• DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT: The Development of Nimitz, Design Considerations, Carrier Systems, The Various Subclasses - Nimitz, Roosevelt, Bush, Carrier Air Wings, The Concept of the Carrier Battle Group
• OPERATIONAL HISTORY The Carriers, Nimitz Carriers in Desert Storm, No-Fly Enforcement and Bosnia/Kosovo, Nimitz' Respond to Terror, The Surge Concept
• SUMMARY OF THE NIMITZ CLASS
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• APPENDICES: A. Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Cruises B. Carrier Commanding Officers and Air Wing Commanders C. Carrier Deployment Schedules

Paperback; November 2010; 48 pages; ISBN: 9781846037597