View source for List of aircraft carrier classes of the United States Navy

{{Short description|none}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
On November 14, 1910, pilot [[Eugene Burton Ely]] took off in a [[Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company|Curtiss]] plane from the bow of {{USS|Birmingham|CL-2|2}} and later landed a [[Curtiss Model D]] on {{USS|Pennsylvania|ACR-4|2}} on January 18, 1911. In fiscal year (FY) 1920, Congress approved a conversion of collier {{USS|Jupiter|AC-3|2}} into a ship designed for launching and recovering of airplanes at sea—the first aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. More aircraft carriers were approved and built, including {{USS|Ranger|CV-4|2}}, the first class of aircraft carriers in the United States Navy designed and built as aircraft carriers from the keel.

The [[United States]] declared war on [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] following the attack of December 7, 1941, on [[Pearl Harbor]]. The two nations revolutionized naval warfare in the course of the next four years; several of the most important sea battles were fought without either fleet coming within sight of the other. Most of the fleet carriers were built according to prewar designs,<ref>The first fleet carrier to follow the ''Essex'' class, USS ''Midway'', was not commissioned in time to participate in the war.</ref> but the demand for air protection was so intense that two new classes were developed: light carriers (designated CVL), built on modified cruiser hulls, and escort carriers (CVE), whose main function was to protect Atlantic [[convoy]]s from German [[U-boat]]s.

During the postwar period, carrier technology made many advances. The angled flight deck was adopted in 1955. The first "[[supercarrier]]" was commissioned in 1955 (although an earlier plan had been canceled by the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]), and the first nuclear-powered carrier in 1961, all during the Cold War. Also, a record for crossing the [[Pacific Ocean]] was set by a U.S. Navy carrier during the [[Korean War]]. Carriers recovered spacecraft after [[splashdown (spacecraft landing)|splashdown]], including the [[Mercury-Redstone 3]] and [[Apollo 11]] missions.

The lead ship of a new class, the {{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|4}}, was launched in 2013 and was commissioned in 2017. The last conventionally powered (non-nuclear) US Navy carrier was decommissioned in 2007.
{{dynamic list}}

==Pre–World War II==
On November 14, 1910, a 24‑year‑old civilian pilot, [[Eugene Burton Ely]], took off in a 50&nbsp;[[horsepower]] [[Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company|Curtiss]] plane from a wooden platform built over the bow of the cruiser {{USS|Birmingham|CL-2|2}}; later, on January 18, 1911, Ely landed a [[Curtiss Model D]] on a platform aboard {{USS|Pennsylvania|ACR-4|2}}.<ref name="legacyearlyyears">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=1|title=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Part I – The Early Years |work=The US Navy Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}</ref> The Naval Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1920 provided funds for the conversion of {{USS|Jupiter|AC-3|2}} into a ship designed for the launching and recovery of airplanes at sea—the [[United States Navy]]'s first [[aircraft carrier]].<ref name=legacyearlyyears/> Renamed {{USS|Langley|CV-1|2}}, she was commissioned in 1922. [[Commander (United States)|Commander]] [[Kenneth Whiting]] was placed in command.<ref name=legacyearlyyears/> In 1924, ''Langley'' reported for duty with the [[Battle Fleet]], ending two years as an experimental ship.<ref name=legacyearlyyears/>

In 1922, Congress also authorized the conversion of the unfinished [[battlecruiser]]s {{USS|Lexington|CV-2|2}} and the {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3|2}} as permitted under the terms of the [[Washington Naval Treaty]], signed in February 1922.<ref name=legacyearlyyears/> The keel of {{USS|Ranger|CV-4|2}}, the first American ship designed and constructed as an aircraft carrier, was laid down in 1931, and the ship was commissioned in 1934.<ref name=legacyearlyyears/>

Following ''Ranger'' and before the entry of the United States into World War II, four more carriers were commissioned. 
{{USS|Wasp|CV-7|2}} was essentially an improved version of ''Ranger''. The others were the three ships of the {{sclass|Yorktown|aircraft carrier|4}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=The US Navy Aircraft Carriers|url=http://www.navy.mil:80/navydata/ships/carriers/cv-list.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415030425/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/ships/carriers/cv-list.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2009|date=April 15, 2009|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Designation
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Class
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Ships
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Active
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Description
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Lead Ship
|-
|CV-1<ref name="dictionarylangley">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l3/langley-i.htm|title=Langley|work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}</ref>
|{{USS|Langley|CV-1|2}}<ref name=dictionarylangley/>
|{{center|1<ref name=dictionarylangley/>}}
|1922&nbsp;– 1936<ref name=dictionarylangley/>
|Converted from {{USS|Jupiter|AC-3|6}}.<ref name=legacyearlyyears/> Experimental ship, served 1925–36 as an aircraft carrier before being converted to a [[seaplane tender]] and given the new hull symbol AV-3.<ref name=legacyearlyyears/>
|[[File:USS Langley (CV-1).jpg|120px]]
|-
|CV-2
|{{sclass|Lexington|aircraft carrier|5}}
|{{center|2}}
|1927&nbsp;– 1946
|The ships were laid down and partly built as part of a [[Lexington-class battlecruiser|six-member]] [[battlecruiser]] class before being converted to carriers while under construction.
|[[File:USS Lexington (CV-2) launching Martin T4M torpedo planes, in 1931 (NH 82117).jpg|120px]]
|-
|CV-4<ref name="briefhistoryranger">{{cite web|url=http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/histories/cv04-ranger/cv04-ranger.html|title=U.S. Navy – A Brief History of Aircraft Carriers – USS ''Ranger'' (CV-4)|work=A Brief History of Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413090443/http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/carriers/histories/cv04-ranger/cv04-ranger.html|archivedate=April 13, 2009}}</ref>
|{{USS|Ranger|CV-4|2}}<ref name=briefhistoryranger/>
|{{center|1<ref name=briefhistoryranger/>}}
|1934&nbsp;– 1946<ref name=briefhistoryranger/>
|First purpose-built US Navy aircraft carrier.<ref name=briefhistoryranger/>
|[[File:USS Ranger (CV-4) underway at sea during the later 1930s.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CV-5<ref name="shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/usnshtp/cv/cv5-7cl.htm|title=USN Ship Types—Ranger, Yorktown & Wasp class aircraft carriers (CVL)|work=USN Ship Types|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}</ref>
|{{sclass|Yorktown|aircraft carrier|5}}<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/>
|{{center|3<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/>}}
|1937&nbsp;– 1947<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/><ref name="usnshipsenterprise">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/cv6.htm|title=USN Ships—USS Enterprise (CV-6)|work=USN Ships|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009|archive-date=April 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416134959/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/cv6.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|''Hornet'' was built after ''Wasp''.<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/> By the end of September 1942, both ''Yorktown'' and ''Hornet'' were on the bottom of the Pacific; {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6|6}}, the orphaned sister of the class, became a symbol of the [[Pacific War]].<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/>
|[[File:USS Yorktown.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CV-7<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/>
|{{USS|Wasp|CV-7|2}}<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/>
|{{center|1<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/>}}
|1940&nbsp;– 1942<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/>
|Modified ''Yorktown'' class, built on 3,000 fewer tons to use up allotted tonnage under the [[Washington Naval Treaty]].<ref name=shiptypesrangeryorktownwasp/>
|[[File:USS Wasp (CV-7).jpg|120px]]
|}

==World War II==
The [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] struck [[attack on Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, but none of the Pacific Fleet's aircraft carriers were in the harbor.<ref name="briefhistory4142">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=2|title=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Part IIa – The War Years (1941–1942) |work=Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}</ref> Because a large fraction of the navy's battleship fleet was put out of commission by the attack, the undamaged aircraft carriers were forced to become the load-bearers of the early part of the war.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} The first aircraft carrier offensive of the U.S. Navy came on February 1, 1942, when the carriers Enterprise and Yorktown, attacked the Japanese bases in the [[Marshall Islands|Marshall]] and [[Gilbert Islands]].<ref name=briefhistory4142/> The [[Battle of the Coral Sea]] became the first sea battle in history in which neither opposing fleet saw the other.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}} The [[Battle of Midway]] started as a Japanese offensive on [[Midway Atoll]] met by an outnumbered U.S. carrier force, and resulted in a U.S. victory.<ref name=briefhistory4142/> The Battle of Midway was the turning point in the [[Pacific War]].<ref name=briefhistory4142/>

In 1943, new designations for carriers were established, limiting the CV designation to {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3|6}}, {{USS|Enterprise|CV-6|6}}, and the {{sclass|Essex|aircraft carrier|4}}.<ref name="briefhistory43">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=16|title=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Part IIb – The War Years (1943) |work=Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}</ref> The new designations were CVB (Aircraft carrier, large) for the {{convert|45000|LT|t}} carriers being built, and CVL ([[Light aircraft carrier|Aircraft carriers, small]]) for the {{convert|10000|LT|t}} class built on [[light cruiser]] hulls.<ref name=briefhistory43/> The same directive reclassified [[escort carriers]] as combatant ships, and changed their symbol from ACV to CVE.<ref name=briefhistory43/> By the end of the war, the Navy had access to around 100 carriers of varying sizes.

On September 2, 1945, Japan signed the surrender agreement aboard {{USS|Missouri|BB-63|6}}, ending World War II.<ref name="briefhistory4445">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=17|title=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Part IIc – The War Years (1944–1945)|work=Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Designation
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Class
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Ships
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Active
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Description
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Lead Ship
|-
|CV-9
|{{sclass|Essex|aircraft carrier|5}}
|{{center|24}}
|1942&nbsp;– 1991
|This class constituted the 20th century's largest class of heavy warships, with 24 ships built.<ref name="toptenessex">{{cite web|url=http://military.discovery.com/technology/vehicles/ships/ships-08.html|title=Essex Class|work=Top Ten Warships: Military Channel|publisher=Discovery Communications, LLC|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}</ref> 32 ships were originally ordered, but some were cancelled.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} (Some sources consider the 13 ships of the {{sclass|Ticonderoga|aircraft carrier|4}} a separate class or "long hull" variants of the ''Essex'' class, and [[USS Oriskany (CV-34)|''Oriskany'']] a one-ship class).
|[[File:USS Essex (CV-9) underway on 20 May 1945.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVL-22
|{{sclass|Independence|aircraft carrier|5}}<ref name="shiptypesindependence">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/usnshtp/cv/cvl22cl.htm|title=USN Ship Types – Independence class small aircraft carriers (CVL)|work=USN Ship Types|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}</ref>
|{{center|9<ref name=shiptypesindependence/>}}
|1943&nbsp;– 1970<ref name=shiptypesindependence/><ref name="dictionarysanjacinto">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s4/san_jacinto-ii.htm|title=San Jacinto|work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref>
|This class was a result of President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]]{{'}}s interest in Navy shipbuilding plans.<ref name=shiptypesindependence/> In August 1941, with war looming, he noted that no new [[fleet aircraft carriers]] were expected before 1944 and proposed to quickly convert some of the many [[cruiser]]s then building.<ref name=shiptypesindependence/>
|[[File:USS Independence CVL-22.jpg|120px]]
|}

===Training ships===

During World War II, the United States Navy purchased two [[Great Lakes]] side-wheel [[paddle steamer]]s and converted them into freshwater aircraft carrier [[training ship]]s. Both vessels were designated with the hull classification symbol [[United States Navy Designations (Temporary)|IX]] and lacked [[hangar|hangar decks]], [[elevator#Aircraft elevators|elevators]] or [[weapon|armament]]s. The role of these ships was for the training of pilots for carrier take-offs and landings.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}  Together ''Sable'' and ''Wolverine'' trained 17,820 pilots in 116,000 carrier landings.<ref name="heritage">{{cite web| title =The Greater Buffalo & The U.S.S. Sable| publisher =WNY Heritage Press| year =2005| url =http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2005/greater_buffalo/greater_buffalo.htm| accessdate =July 19, 2009| url-status =dead| archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20081005094315/http://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2005/greater_buffalo/greater_buffalo.htm| archivedate =October 5, 2008}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Designation
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Class
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Ships
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Active
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Description
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Lead Ship
|-
|IX-64
|{{USS|Wolverine|IX-64|2}}
|1
|1942–1945
|Former Great Lakes paddle steamer ''Seeandbee'' converted for aircraft takeoff and landing training
|[[File:USS Wolverine (IX-64) Lake Michigan 1943.jpg|120px]]
|-
|IX-81
|{{USS|Sable|IX-81|2}}
|1
|1943–1945
|Former Great Lakes paddle steamer ''Greater Buffalo'' converted for aircraft takeoff and landing training
|[[File:USS Sable (IX-81).jpg|120px]]
|-
|}

==Cold War==
Aircraft carrier technology underwent many changes during the [[Cold War]]. The first of the 45,000-ton carriers, {{USS|Midway|CV-41|6}} was commissioned eight days after the end of World War II, on September 10.<ref name="briefhistory4549">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=20|title=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Part III – Post War (1945–1949) |work=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref> A larger ship was planned, and in 1948, President [[Harry Truman]] approved the construction of a "[[supercarrier]]", a 65,000-ton aircraft carrier to be named {{USS|United States|CVA-58|6}}; however, the project was canceled in April 1949 by the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]].<ref name=briefhistory4549/> The Navy's first supercarriers came later, in 1955, with the {{sclass|Forrestal|aircraft carrier|4}}.<ref name="fasforrestal">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/aircraftcarriers/cv59.html|title=CV-59 FORRESTAL class|work=fas.org|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref> 1953 saw the first test of an angled-deck carrier, {{USS|Antietam|CVA-36|6}}.<ref name=briefhistorykorea/>

The "N" suffix was added to the designation system to represent [[nuclear power]]ed carriers in 1956.<ref name=briefhistorykorea/> The first carrier to receive this suffix was {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}, commissioned in 1961.<ref name="homeenterprise">{{cite web|url=http://www.enterprise.navy.mil/ |title=USS Enterprise – Home |publisher=United States Navy |accessdate=June 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727085036/http://www.enterprise.navy.mil/ |archivedate=July 27, 2013 }}</ref> The last [[conventional warfare|conventionally powered]] carrier, {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}}, was commissioned in 1968 and was decommissioned in 2007.

The [[Korean War]] began June 25, 1950, and the need for planes and troops was urgent.<ref name="briefhistorykorea">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=22|title=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Part IV – Korea and the 1950s |work=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref> Returning from Korea, {{USS|Boxer|CV-21|6}} made a record trip across the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]—7&nbsp;days, 10&nbsp;hours, and 36&nbsp;minutes.<ref name=briefhistorykorea/> In 1952, all carriers with designations "CV" or "CVB" were reclassified as attack carriers and given the sign "CVA".<ref name=briefhistorykorea/>

As the [[Mercury-Redstone 3]] mission ended, {{USS|Lake Champlain|CV-39|6}} recovered [[Commander]] [[Alan B. Shepard]], the first American in space, on May 5, 1961.<ref name="briefhistoryspacevietnam">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=23|title= A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Part V – Space and Vietnam |work= A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref> Another aircraft carrier {{USS|Hornet|CV-12|6}}, recovered the [[Apollo 11]] astronauts after their [[Splashdown (spacecraft landing)|splashdown]].<ref name="danvilleapollo11splashdown">{{cite web|url=http://www.danvilleweekly.com/news/show_story.php?id=1369|title=Danville man documents Apollo 11 splashdown|work=Danville Weekly|publisher=Embarcadero Publishing Company.|accessdate=June 5, 2009}}</ref> Apollo 11 was the first human landing mission to the moon, and was composed of astronauts [[Neil Armstrong]], [[Buzz Aldrin]], and [[Michael Collins (astronaut)|Michael Collins]].<ref name="museumapollo11crew">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/imagery/Apollo/AS11/a11crew.htm|title=Apollo 11 Crew|work=The Apollo Program|publisher=Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum|accessdate=June 5, 2009}}</ref>

In 1975, the first {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|2}} was commissioned; the ''Nimitz'' class were the largest warships in the world until the commissioning of their replacements, the [[Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier]]s.<ref name="factfilenavy">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=200&ct=4|title=The US Navy – Fact File|date=February 5, 2009|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 4, 2009|archive-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017130812/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=200&ct=4|url-status=dead}}</ref> Construction and commissioning of the ''Nimitz'' class continued after the Cold War.<ref name="foxgeorgehwbush">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479087,00.html|title=Aircraft Carrier Named the USS George H.W. Bush Commissioned|date=January 10, 2009|publisher=Fox News|accessdate=June 5, 2009}}</ref>

Also, in 1975, the U.S. Navy simplified the carrier designations—CV, CVA, CVAN, CVB, CVL—into CV for conventionally powered carriers and CVN for nuclear-powered carriers.<ref name="askdesignations">{{cite web|url=http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/hydrodynamics/q0226.shtml|title=Aircraft Carrier Designations|last=Swanson|first=Molly|date=May 1, 2005|work=Aerospaceweb.org |accessdate=June 6, 2009}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Designation
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Class
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Ships
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Active
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Description
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Lead Ship
|-
|CV-41<ref name="fasmidway">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/aircraftcarriers/cv41midway.html|title=CV-41 MIDWAY class|work=fas.org|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref>
|{{sclass|Midway|aircraft carrier|5}}<ref name=fasmidway/>
|{{center|3<ref name=fasmidway/>}}
|1945&nbsp;– 1992<ref name=fasmidway/>
|This class was one of the longest lived carrier designs in history. First commissioned in late 1945, the lead ship of the class, {{USS|Midway|CV-41|6}} was not decommissioned until 1992, shortly after seeing service in the [[Gulf War]].<ref name=fasmidway/> Six were planned; three were built including {{USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|6}} and {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42|6}}.<ref name=fasmidway/> The class was originally designated CVB.<ref name=fasmidway/>
|[[File:USS Midway (CVB-41) after commissioning.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVL-48<ref name="shiptypessaipan">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/usnshtp/cv/cvl48cl.htm|title=Saipan class small aircraft carriers|work=USN Ship Types|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 4, 2009|archive-date=April 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090406051033/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/usnshtp/cv/cvl48cl.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|{{sclass|Saipan|aircraft carrier|5}}<ref name=shiptypessaipan/>
|{{center|2<ref name=shiptypessaipan/>}}
|1946&nbsp;– 1970<ref name=shiptypessaipan/>
|Built on modified {{sclass|Baltimore|cruiser|2}} hulls.<ref name=shiptypessaipan/> Both were converted to command-and-control ships in the mid-1950s: {{USS|Saipan|CVL-48|2}} to {{USS|Arlington|AGMR-2}}, {{USS|Wright|CVL-49|2}} to CC-2.<ref name=shiptypessaipan/>
|[[File:USS Saipan (CVL-48) at sea with helicopters embarked, circa in 1955 (NH 67747).jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVA-58
|{{USS|United States|CVA-58|2}}
|{{center|1 keel}}
|None commissioned
|This class was never commissioned (3 more were planned). See [[Revolt of the Admirals]] for details.
|[[File:Artist's impression of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS United States (CVA-58) in October 1948.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CV-59<ref name=fasforrestal/>
|{{sclass|Forrestal|aircraft carrier|5}}<ref name=fasforrestal/>
|{{center|4<ref name=fasforrestal/>}}
|1955&nbsp;– 1998<ref name=fasforrestal/>
|The ''Forrestal'' class was the first class of "[[supercarrier]]s" of the Navy, so called because of their then-extraordinarily high tonnage (75,000&nbsp;tons, 25% larger than the {{sclass|Midway|aircraft carrier|4}}), and full integration of the angled deck.<ref name=fasforrestal/><ref name=fasmidway/>
|[[File:USS Forrestal (CV-59) underway at sea in 1987 (NH 97657-KN).jpg|120px]]
|-
|CV-63<ref name="faskittyhawk">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/aircraftcarriers/cv63.html|title=CV 63 Kitty Hawk|work=fas.org|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref>
|{{sclass|Kitty Hawk|aircraft carrier|5}}<ref name=faskittyhawk/>
|{{center|3<ref name=faskittyhawk/>}}
|1961&nbsp;– 2009<ref name="decommissionkittyhawk">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=45202|title=Navy Decommissions USS Kitty Hawk|date=May 12, 2009|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 4, 2009|archive-date=March 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320020918/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=45202|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Sometimes called "Improved ''Forrestal'' class".<ref name="argkittyhawk">{{cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/navy/improved_forrestal_class.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523161348/http://www.military-today.com/navy/improved_forrestal_class.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 23, 2007|title=Improved Forrestal Class Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier|work=Military-Today.com|publisher=ARG|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref> Sometimes mistaken as a four-ship class, with {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}} (see below) as a member. The biggest differences from the ''Forrestal''s are greater length, and a different placement of starboard [[elevator]]s; two are forward of the [[Aircraft carrier#Flight deck|island]], with a third at the portside stern. This class includes {{USS|America|CV-66|6}}.
|[[File:US Navy 060526-N-8591H-164 USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) departs Yokosuka, Japan, to conduct sea trials in the Western Pacific Ocean.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVN-65<ref name=homeenterprise/>
|{{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|2}}<ref name=homeenterprise/>
|{{center|1<ref name=factfilenavy/>}}
|1961<ref name="fasenterprise">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/aircraftcarriers/cvn65enterprise.html|title=CVN-65 Enterprise|work=fas.org|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref> – 2012
|First nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, using eight [[A2W reactor]]s.<ref name="argenterprise">{{cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/navy/enterprise.htm |title=USS Enterprise Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier |work=Military-Today.com |publisher=ARG |accessdate=June 4, 2009 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723091307/http://www.military-today.com/navy/enterprise.htm |archivedate=July 23, 2011 }}</ref> Enlarged, modified, and nuclear-powered ''Kitty Hawk''-class design.<ref name=argenterprise/> Six ships of this class were planned, only the lead ship was constructed. ''Enterprise'' had been in active operational service for 51 years, longer than any combatant ship in American history.
|[[File:Enterprise Cruising.JPG|120px]]
|-
|CV-67<ref name="fasjohnfkennedy">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/programs/ssp/man/uswpns/navy/aircraftcarriers/cv67.html|title=CV-67 John F. Kennedy|work=fas.org|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref>
|{{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|2}}<ref name=fasjohnfkennedy/>
|{{center|1<ref name=fasjohnfkennedy/>}}
|1968&nbsp;– 2007<ref name=fasjohnfkennedy/><ref name="bigjohndecommissioned">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=28500|title="Big John" Decommissioned After 38 Years of Service|date=March 24, 2007|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 4, 2009}}</ref>
|Last [[conventional warfare|conventionally powered]] aircraft carrier built (as of 2013). Sometimes grouped as a ''Kitty Hawk''-class ship.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} Laid down as a nuclear ship to use four [[A3W reactor]]s, converted to conventional propulsion early in construction.<ref name="techjohnfkennedy">{{cite web|url=http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/89172/cv67---uss-john-f.-kennedy.html|title=CV67 – USS ''John F. Kennedy''|work=tech.military.com|publisher=monster|accessdate=June 5, 2009}}</ref>
|[[File:USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) departs Naval Station Mayport on 11 November 2003.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVN-68<ref name=factfilenavy/>
|{{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|5}}<ref name=factfilenavy/>
|{{center|10<ref name=factfilenavy/><ref name=foxgeorgehwbush/>}}
|1975&nbsp;– Present<ref name=factfilenavy/>
|A line of [[nuclear-powered]] supercarriers in service with the US Navy using two [[A4W reactor]]s, and the largest [[capital ships]] in the world.<ref name=factfilenavy/> The ''Nimitz'' class are numbered with consecutive hull numbers starting with CVN-68.<ref name=factfilenavy/> Ten ships are in the class.<ref name=factfilenavy/><ref name=foxgeorgehwbush/>
|[[File:USS Nimitz 1997.jpg|120px]]
|}

==After the Cold War==
When the [[Cold War]] ended in 1991, the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] had [[conventional warfare|conventionally powered]] carriers from the {{sclass|Midway|aircraft carrier|5}}, {{sclass|Forrestal|aircraft carrier|5}}, and {{sclass|Kitty Hawk|aircraft carrier|5}} classes active, along with {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}}; and the [[nuclear power|nuclear]] {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|4}} and {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}; however, all of the conventional carriers have been decommissioned.<ref name=fasforrestal/><ref name=factfilenavy/><ref name=fasmidway/><ref name=decommissionkittyhawk/><ref name=fasenterprise/><ref name=fasjohnfkennedy/> Construction of the ''Nimitz''-class continued after the Cold War, and the last ''Nimitz''-class carrier, {{USS|George H.W. Bush|CVN 77|6}}, was commissioned in 2009.<ref name=foxgeorgehwbush/>

The next class of supercarriers—the {{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|4}}—launched [[USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)|the first ship]] in 2017.<ref name="technologygeraldrford">{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/cvn-21/|title=CVN 78 Gerald R Ford Class – US Navy CVN 21 Future Carrier Programme|work=naval-technology.com|publisher=SPG Media Group Ltd |accessdate=June 5, 2009}}</ref> The new carriers will be stealthier, and feature [[A1B reactor]]s, electromagnetic [[Aircraft catapult|catapults]], advanced arresting gear, reduced crew requirements, and a hull design based upon that of the ''Nimitz'' class.<ref name=technologygeraldrford/><ref name="nnngcvn78">{{cite web|url=http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/cvn21/facts.html|title=CVN 78|work=nn.northropgrumman.com|publisher=Northrop Grumman Newport News|accessdate=June 5, 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612232222/http://www.nn.northropgrumman.com/cvn21/facts.html|archivedate=June 12, 2009}}</ref> Ten carriers are planned for the ''Gerald R. Ford'' class.<ref name=technologygeraldrford/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Designation
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Class
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Ships
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Active
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Description
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Lead ship
|-
|CVN-78<ref name=technologygeraldrford/>
|{{sclass|Gerald R. Ford|aircraft carrier|5}}<ref name=technologygeraldrford/>
|{{center|1 (9 more planned)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articles/2015/06/aircraft-carrier-kennedy.html|title=Navy awards $3.4 billion contract to Huntington Ingalls to build Ford-class aircraft carrier|website=militaryaerospace.com|access-date=August 1, 2017}}</ref>}}
|2017–present<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nvr.navy.mil/SHIPDETAILS/SHIPSDETAIL_CVN_78_4524.HTML|title=Naval Vessel Register – USS GERALD R FORD (CVN 78)|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=August 1, 2017}}</ref>
|The next generation supercarrier for the United States Navy.<ref name=technologygeraldrford/> Carriers of the ''Gerald R. Ford'' class will incorporate many new design features including a [[A1B reactor|new nuclear reactor design]], stealthier features to help reduce radar profile, electromagnetic [[Aircraft catapult|catapults]], advanced arresting gear, and reduced crewing requirements.<ref name=technologygeraldrford/><ref name=nnngcvn78/> The ''Gerald R. Ford'' class uses the basic hull design of the preceding ''Nimitz'' class.<ref name=technologygeraldrford/> Ten ships are currently planned for the ''Gerald R. Ford'' class.<ref name=technologygeraldrford/>
|[[File:Bow view of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) underway on 8 April 2017.JPG|120px]]
|}

==Escort carriers==
During [[World War II]], the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] built [[escort carrier]]s in large numbers for patrol work, and scouting and escorting [[convoy]]s.<ref name="briefescort">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=3|title=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers The Escort Carriers |last=Germinsky|first=((CE1 Robert A.))|work=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 6, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531111831/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=3|archive-date=May 31, 2009}}</ref> Escort carriers, based on merchant ship hulls, were smaller than [[aircraft carrier]]s; escort carrier crews referred to the ships as "Jeep carriers", the press called them "baby flat tops".<ref name=briefescort/> The escort carriers had lighter armor than aircraft carriers, were slower, had less defensive armament, and less aircraft capacity compared to aircraft carriers.<ref name=briefescort/> This smaller variant of carriers was designated "CVE"; a common joke amongst crews was "CVE" meant "Combustible, Vulnerable and Expendable".<ref name=briefescort/>

Early in the war, [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[submarine]]s and aircraft were interfering with shipping.<ref name=briefescort/> The worst losses occurred far at sea—out of the reach of land-based air forces—leading the [[Royal Navy]] to experiment with catapult-launching [[fighter aircraft]] from merchant ships, a somewhat successful approach.<ref name=briefescort/> However, the number of planes was still limited, so the [[United Kingdom]] appealed to the [[United States]] for help.<ref name=briefescort/>

Before World War II started, the U.S. Navy had contemplated converting merchant ships to small aircraft carriers for this purpose, so the quick solution was to build escort carriers on merchant ship hulls.<ref name=briefescort/> The first escort carrier, {{USS|Long Island|CVE-1|6}}, was converted from a freighter.<ref name=briefescort/> A shortage of merchant ship hulls caused four escort carriers—{{USS|Sangamon|CVE-26|6}}, {{USS|Suwanee|CVE-27|6}}, {{USS|Chenango|CVE-28|6}}, and {{USS|Santee|CVE-29|6}}—to be built on [[oil tanker]] hulls.<ref name=briefescort/> In total, 78 escort carriers were built and launched from June 1941 to April 1945.<ref name=briefescort/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Designation
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:100px;" | Class
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Ships
!style="background-color:#ffffff;" | Description
!style="background-color:#ffffff;width:120px;" | Lead ship
|-
|CVE-1<ref name="shipandplanes">{{cite book|last=Fahey|first=James C|authorlink=James Charles Fahey|title=The Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet|publisher=Ships and Aircraft|location=New York|year=1945|edition=Victory}}</ref>
|{{sclass|Long Island|escort carrier|5}}<ref name=shipandplanes/>
|2<ref name=shipandplanes/>
| One ship, {{USS|Long Island|CVE-1|6}}, in [[USN]] service, the other, {{HMS|Archer|D78|6}}, in the [[Royal Navy|RN]].<ref name=shipandplanes/>
|[[File:USS Long Island (CVE-1) underway on 10 June 1944.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVE-9
|{{sclass|Bogue|escort carrier|5}}
|45
|34 in RN service; 11 were {{sclass|Attacker|escort carrier|4}} and 23 were {{sclass|Ruler|escort carrier|4}}. The other 11 ships were in USN service.
|[[File:USS Bogue ACV-9.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVE-26
|{{sclass|Sangamon|escort carrier|5}}
|4
|All in USN service. Built on oil tanker hulls rather than merchant ship hulls.<ref name=briefescort/>
|[[File:Uss sangamon CVE-26.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVE-30
|{{sclass|Charger|escort carrier|5}}
|4
|One ship, {{USS|Charger|CVE-30|6}}, mainly in USN service, the other three in RN service as the {{sclass|Avenger|escort carrier|4}}.
|[[File:USS Charger CVE-30.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVE-55
|{{sclass|Casablanca|escort carrier|5}}
|50
|All in USN service.
|[[File:Cve-55a.jpg|120px]]
|-
|CVE-105
|{{sclass|Commencement Bay|escort carrier|5}}
|19
|All in USN service. Includes two units which were accepted but not commissioned and laid up for many years after the war.
|[[File:USS Commencement Bay (CVE-105) c1944.jpeg|120px]]
|}

==See also==
* [[Aircraft carrier]]
* [[List of active French Navy ships]]
* [[List of active Italian Navy ships]]
* [[List of active Spanish Navy ships#Aircraft carrier and amphibious warfare|List of active Spanish Navy ships]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers by configuration]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers in service]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of Germany]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of Russia and the Soviet Union]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of aircraft carriers of World War II]]
* [[List of amphibious warfare ships]]
* [[List of current ships of the Royal Canadian Navy]]
* [[List of escort carriers of the Royal Navy]]
* [[List of escort carriers of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of seaplane carriers of the Royal Navy]]
* [[List of ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy#Aircraft carriers|List of ships of the Japanese Navy]]
* [[List of ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy#Aircraft carriers|List of ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy § Aircraft carriers]]
* [[List of ships of World War II]]
* [[List of sunken aircraft carriers]]
* [[List of active Indian Navy ships#Aircraft carriers|Ships of the Indian Navy]]
* [[Timeline for aircraft carrier service]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/ships/carriers/carriers.asp|title=The US Navy Aircraft Carriers|work=The Aircraft Carrier|publisher=Department of the Navy|accessdate=June 3, 2009}}

{{clear}}
{{Lists of aircraft carriers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aircraft carrier classes of the United States Navy}}
[[Category:Lists of aircraft carriers|United States Navy]]
[[Category:Lists of ships of the United States Navy|Aircraft carrier classes]]
[[Category:Aircraft carrier classes|*United States Navy]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of the United States Navy|*]]