The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. Commissioned on October 25, 1986, the ship is named after the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The aircraft carrier is homeported at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California, and is part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. With a displacement of over 100,000 tons, the USS Theodore Roosevelt is one of the largest warships in the world, measuring 1,092 feet (333 meters) in length and 257 feet (78 meters) in width.
Design and Construction
The USS Theodore Roosevelt was built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, with construction beginning on October 31, 1981. The ship’s design is based on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, which is a class of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers used by the United States Navy. The USS Theodore Roosevelt is powered by two A4W nuclear reactors, which provide a maximum speed of over 30 knots (56 kilometers per hour). The ship has a crew of over 5,000 personnel, including officers, enlisted personnel, and aircrew.
Flight Deck and Aircraft
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has a flight deck that is 1,092 feet (333 meters) long and 257 feet (78 meters) wide, with four catapults and four arrestor wires. The ship can carry up to 60 aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, as well as E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. The USS Theodore Roosevelt is also equipped with advanced radar and communication systems, including the AN/SPS-48E air search radar and the AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radar.
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 1,092 feet (333 meters) |
| Beam | 257 feet (78 meters) |
| Displacement | over 100,000 tons |
| Speed | over 30 knots (56 kilometers per hour) |
| Crew | over 5,000 personnel |
Operational History
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has a long and distinguished operational history, with deployments to the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific. The ship has participated in numerous military operations, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2015, the USS Theodore Roosevelt was deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, where it conducted airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.
Modernization and Upgrades
In 2009, the USS Theodore Roosevelt underwent a refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, which included the replacement of the ship’s nuclear reactors and the installation of new propulsion systems. The ship also underwent upgrades to its combat systems, including the installation of new radar and communication systems. In 2020, the USS Theodore Roosevelt was equipped with the Navy’s new F-35C Lightning II fighter jet, which provides advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.
What is the USS Theodore Roosevelt’s primary mission?
+The USS Theodore Roosevelt’s primary mission is to provide air power and sea control in support of U.S. national security interests. The ship is capable of conducting a wide range of operations, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat, and amphibious assault.
How many aircraft can the USS Theodore Roosevelt carry?
+The USS Theodore Roosevelt can carry up to 60 aircraft, including F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, as well as E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.
