Here is the list of Top 10 Biggest aircraft carriers in the world currently in service
1) Gerald R Ford Class, US: 337 m (1,106 ft)
A full load displacement of 100,000t makes the Gerald R Ford Class the world’s biggest aircraft carrier. The CVN-78 features a 78m-wide flight deck and The carrier has the capacity to carry more than 75 aircraft and can accommodate 4,539 personnel including ship’s company, air wing, and other support staff. Most noteworthy Gerald R Ford is powered by two A1B nuclear reactors offering 250% more electrical capacity than the Nimitz Class. In addition, the weaponry includes RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles, Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAMs) and Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS).
2 ) Nimitz Class, U S : 333 m (1,093 ft )
Nimitz Class, with a full load displacement of 97,000t, is the world’s second-largest aircraft carrier. The 332.8m-long supercarrier features a 4.5-acre flight deck capable of carrying more than 60 aircraft. Each ship towers 20 stories above the water and can accommodate 3,000 to 3,200 ship’s company, 1,500 air wing, and 500 other crew. Most noteworthy Nimitz Class is powered by two nuclear reactors providing a maximum speed of more than 30kt. The Sea Sparrow missiles, Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) and Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAMs) mounted aboard the vessel defend against potential threats.
3) Admiral Kuznetsov, Russia: 305 m (1,001 ft )
The Admiral Kuznetsov is the fourth largest aircraft carrier. It has a full load displacement of 58,500t. The spacious 14,700m² flight deck of the Admiral Kuznetsov can accommodate Su-33, MiG-29K, and Su-25UTG/UBP STOVL fighters, as well as Ka-27S, Ka-27LD32 and Ka-27PLO helicopters. The ship can accommodate 1,960 ship’s company, 626 air group, and 40 flagstaffs. The Russian aircraft carrier is propelled by a steam turbine propulsion system, providing a maximum speed of 32kt. The weaponry is composed of AK-630 AA guns, CADS-N-1 Kashtan CIWS, P-700 Granit anti-ship cruise missile and RBU-12000 UDAV-1 ASW rocket launchers.
4) Liaoning, China: 304 m (997 ft)
Liaoning is the only aircraft carrier in service with People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China. The aircraft carrier is armed with Type 1030 CIWS, HQ-10 missiles and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) rocket launchers. The vessel displacing more than 58,000t (full load) is powered by steam turbine propulsion. Its flight deck can house about 50 aircraft, including fixed-wing planes and helicopters.
5) Queen Elizabeth Class, UK: 284 m (932 ft)
Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are the biggest warships of the Royal Navy. It can Displace 65,000t. The vessels in Queen Elizabeth class are three times larger than the Invincible Class aircraft carriers and can support the embarkation of up to 40 rotary and fixed wing aircraft. In addition to the latest technology and automated systems aboard the vessel enable operations with a streamlined crew of 679. The aircraft carrier is powered by two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines and four diesel generator sets providing a total installed power of 109MWe. Hence the propulsion system will enable the vessel to sail at a maximum speed of 25kt.
6) INS Vikramaditya, India : 283 m (928 ft)
INS Vikramaditya is the biggest warship in the Indian Navy. It can displace44,500t. The warship measures 284m-long and 60m-wide. The short take-off, but assisted recovery (STOBAR) flight deck can carry more than 30 aircraft including a mix of MiG 29K/Sea Harrier, Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea King, ALH-Dhruv and Chetak helicopters. The propulsion system of INS Vikramaditya integrates eight turbo-pressurised boilers and four geared steam turbines generating a total output power of 180,000shp. As a result the six turbo alternators and six diesel alternators aboard the vessel generate a total power of 18MW.
7) São Paulo (A12), Brazil : 265 m (869 ft)
São Paulo (A12) is the eighth biggest aircraft carrier, weighing more than 32,000t at full load. Clemenceau-Class aircraft carrier operated by the Brazilian Navy. The São Paulo can complement 1,920 crew, including 1,338 ship’s company and 582 Air Group crew. Its flight deck can accommodate 39 aircraft including fighters, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. The armament aboard the ship includes SACP Crotale EDIR systems, Simbad launchers, and naval guns for protection against the surface and aerial threats. The six boilers generating 126,000shp make São Paulo one of the most powerful conventional aircraft carriers in operation. Hence the propulsion system of the vessel provides a maximum speed of 32kt.
8) Charles de Gaulle (R91), France: 262 m (860 ft)
The Charles de Gaulle (R91) aircraft carrier, the first French nuclear-powered surface ship and is the largest warship in Western Europe. It can support the operations of 40 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters including Rafale M, Super Étendard, E-2C Hawkeye, SA365 Dauphin, EC725 Caracal and AS532 Cougar. The vessel with a full load displacement of 42,000t carries 1,350 ship’s company and 600 air wing. Most noteworthy its power plant comprises two K15pressurizedd water reactors and provides a speed of 27kt.
9 ) USS America (LHA-6) – US : 257.3 m (844 ft)
USS America (LHA-6), the fourth American warship and it are the first of the America-class amphibious assault ships for the U.S. Navy. Her mission is to act as the flagship of an expeditionary strike group or amphibious ready group, carrying part of a Marine expeditionary unit into battle and putting them ashore with helicopters and V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, supported by F-35B Lightning II aircraft and helicopter gunships. Most of all USS America (LHA-6) has a displacement of 45,000 tons.
10) Cavour (550), Italy: 244 m (801 ft)
The Cavour (550) with a full load displacement of 30,000t is the world’s ninth largest aircraft carrier. The Cavour features a 232.6m x 34.5m flight deck, which can accommodate fixed-wing aircraft such as AV-8B Harrier and JSF as well as EH101, AB212, NH 90 and SH3D helicopters. The vessel can complement 1,292 crew, including troops. Furthermore, The armament includes short-range defense systems, guns and decoy launchers defending against a variety of threats. In addition, the power plant integrating four 22MW AVIO/GE LM2500 Gas Turbines provides a maximum sustained speed of 29kt.
