home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
U.S. Aircraft Carriers
/
U.S. Aircraft Carriers.iso
/
data
/
mox007.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-05-20
|
1KB
|
19 lines
The USS America is the third ship of the Kitty Hawk class of aircraft carriers. It
was completed after a gap of four years and therefore incorporated a number of
modifications that the Kitty Hawk and Constellation lack. She has a narrower
smokestack and a sonar dome. The SQS-23 search sonar was installed, but it
was removed in 1981 on the determination that escorts could perform the sonar
search function more efficiently.
Like each Kitty Hawk class carrier, the America has 85 aircraft when on station.
It has two launching decks for simultaneous operations, each with two steam
catapults. Each carrier also has surface search, air detection and threat
detection radars. Three 20 millimeter Phalanx Close-In Weapons System three-
barrel Gatling guns provide close-in protection. It is also equipped with three
eight-tube Sea Sparrow missile launchers for longer-range protection out to 10
nautical miles.
In 1994, the USS America is scheduled for the Service Life Extension Program
(SLEP), that will add 15 years to its service life, from 30 years to 45 years.