USS Nimitz: The Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier the Navy Can’t Retire

USS Nimitz: The Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier the Navy Can’t Retire

Key Points and Summary – USS Nimitz (CVN-68), namesake of the Nimitz-class and the world’s oldest active carrier, has served since 1975—from the Gulf of Sidra to Desert Storm and against ISIS. While the Ford-class is meant to replace Nimitz-class flattops, only USS Gerald R. Ford is operational and follow-on ships face delays, leaving a near-term capability gap. An E/A-18G Growler, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, taxis on the f…