09.12.2009
American shipbuilder Northrop Grumman has completed modernization of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, says the company's press release. The ship has passed all sea trials and was delivered to the US Navy on Dec 4, 2009 – two days ahead of schedule.
The modernization has been carried out at
Newport News shipyard which built the ship early 80-ies. In 2005 the carrier was laid up for repairs and maintenance supposedly for three years. Nevertheless, service operations delayed and the ship was delivered to the US Navy only in July 2009. In October 2009
Carl Vinson was handed over
Northrop Grumman for modernization.
According to expectations, renewed aircraft carrier will join new Carrier Strike Group 1 based in San Diego.
Aircraft carrier
Carl Vinson is third
Nimitz-class ship. Its displacement is 103,000 tonnes; maximum speed is 30 knots. Air group of USS
Carl Vinson comprises 90 aircrafts and helicopters. The carrier is armed with two
RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile launchers, two SAM systems
RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile and three AD artillery systems
Phalanx CIWS.
Source: , photo: USS Carl Vinson (militarytimes.com)
