The whole truth about the nuclear aircraft carrier "George Bush": description, characteristics and history

The aircraft carrier George Bush is the tenth and last in a series of super-aircraft carriers of the Nimitz class. Its name was given in honor of the 41st US President and former CIA Director George Bush Sr.. In addition, Bush was a naval pilot during the Second World War.

The construction of the aircraft carrier began in 2003 in the largest in the western hemisphere dry dock at the Northrop Grumman shipyard and was completed after six years. The home port of the giant ship was the naval base Norfolk.

Title History

George Bush Sr. received a US pilot's license on June 9, 1943, and in August went to active military service, which he held until September 1945. During the execution of a combat mission over the Pacific Ocean, where the United States conducted military operations with Japan, it was shot down by fire from anti-aircraft guns and crashed. From the cold water of the young officer, the crew of the submarine "Finbek" rescued. For his service, Bush was awarded the "Cross" for flying military merits and three medals "For courageous service in the Pacific theater."

Thus, the US aircraft carrier George W. Bush is the second vessel of this class, named after the naval pilot, as well as the second, who received the name of the former president during his lifetime.

Aircraft carrier George W. Bush: characteristics

The aircraft carrier project, on which George Bush was built, is one of the largest in the history of shipbuilding. Its length reaches 332 meters, and the displacement exceeds 100,000 tons.

Receiving power from the three nuclear reactors installed on its board, the aircraft carrier can operate without refueling for 20 consecutive years, while developing a speed of up to 20 knots.

Despite the fact that aircraft carriers of the Nimitz class have much in common, the last of them has a number of significant design differences from its predecessors.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Bush: design features

The first noticeable feature distinguishing an aircraft carrier from others is a specially curved flight deck, the design of which, according to the designers, should reduce the radar visibility of the ship.

The underwater part of the ship is covered with a new type of material, the exact composition of which is unknown. However, the developers declare a reduction in the total weight of the vessel due to this material by 100 tons. On the flight deck, a new type of coating is also used, which improves the grip on the aircraft chassis.

The island, on which the captain's bridge, the radio room and the weapons control system is located, has also changed significantly: new radar towers with reduced visibility, armored windows and improved communication systems have appeared. The island is slightly shifted to the aft part to increase the space for take-off and landing of aircraft and thereby reduce their thermal trail left in the air during take-off.

The aircraft carrier "George Bush" has updated fuel storage and distribution systems, which are used to supply ninety aircraft and helicopters. For take-off and landing, new start and landing systems are used. All this, together with semi-automated fuel distribution systems, reduces the number of maintenance personnel.

History of the aircraft carrier construction

The solemn ceremony of laying a ship worth six billion dollars was held in September 2003 in the presence of the former US president and his wife Barbara Bush. The president left a chalky autograph on the metal plate, on which metal plates were welded, which are now permanently affixed to the ship.

The ship was built in a modular type, that is, large modules, including several compartments, were first assembled. Then, with the help of a large crane, they were installed in a dry dock, where the fastening was made. In June 2006 a captain's bridge was installed on the structure, the weight of which reaches 700 tons, and two years later, on August 11, 2008, the crew members boarded the aircraft carrier.

First use

After commissioning and running tests, the aircraft carrier George Bush was assigned and became a member of the Second Carrier Strike Force under the command of Nora Tyson. On its first operation, an aircraft carrier group set off in 2011. Having overcome the Atlantic Ocean, the ships reached the shores of Great Britain to take part in joint exercises called "Saxon Warrior".

In 2012, the aircraft carrier embarked on a four-month overhaul and modernization, after which new sea trials began.

In 2013, the aircraft carrier tested unmanned aerial vehicles, which were supposed to take off and land on its deck. In addition, one of the drones was sent to the military base of Norfolk, where he made a successful landing. After it was recognized that the tests were successful, the drones were part of the carrier group.

The Black Sea Campaign

In February 2014, an aircraft carrier with escort ships overcame the Strait of Gibraltar and headed to the Greek port of Piraeus with a planned visit. And on March 5 he went to the shores of Turkey. At that time, tension between Russia and Ukraine began to grow. As a result of the referendum, Crimea was annexed to Russia.

In the port of Antalya, for a few days, the entire carrier group and the aircraft carrier George Bush stopped. The Black Sea was at that time 500 km from it. Initially, it was assumed that the aircraft carrier would stay in the Mediterranean for a few more months, but this did not happen, and the ships went to patrol the Persian Gulf, passing through the Suez Canal.

From the Persian Gulf, the atomic aircraft carrier George Bush struck at the terrorist organization Islamic State.

Unshakable determination

After a fourteen-month parking in the port of registration, where the team underwent further training, and the ship's equipment - diagnostics, the group went on regular duty. In early 2017, the aircraft carrier George Bush again headed for the shores of Iraq to continue the fight against terrorists on the territory of Iraq and Syria.

The aircraft carrier serves as a control center for operational activities in the region, and also serves as a cover for ships carrying missile strikes against terrorist centers.