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The Navy accepted delivery of the newest aircraft carrier, PCU Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), June 20. The ship design and construction was executed under a contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) in December 1994.

Reagan’s first deployment is scheduled for 2005 from her San Diego homeport, which is home to two other U.S. aircraft carriers.

Reagan is the ninth of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. Expected to be in service for 50 years, Reagan will carry out our nation’s tasking in both peacetime and in times of crisis. Its nuclear propulsion plant will power the ship for more than 20 years without refueling, providing virtually unlimited range and endurance, and a top speed in excess of 30 knots.

Reagan towers 20 stories above the waterline, and at 1,092 feet long, is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall. The ship displaces approximately 97,000 tons of water and has a 4.5-acre flight deck. The carrier will serve as home to approximately 6,000 Sailors and 80 plus combat aircraft.

The ship's four catapults and three arresting gear engines enable rapid and simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft. Catapults thrust 60,000 pound aircraft 300 feet, from zero to 165 miles per hour in two seconds, while arresting cables are able to bring a planes traveling in at 150 mile per hour to a complete stop in about 320 feet. The ship will carry approximately three million gallons of fuel for its aircraft and escorts, and enough weapons and stores for extended operations without replenishment.

Design improvements include a completely redesigned island, integrated ship systems with increased capacity to support future upgrades and improved facilities for female personnel. In addition, Reagan has extensive repair capabilities, including a fully equipped Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, a micro-miniature electronics repair shop and numerous ship repair shops. The ship is equipped with a fiber optic based network for improved communication and machinery monitoring.

CVN 76 was christened March 4, 2001, by its sponsor, Nancy Reagan. Vice President Dick Cheney will join Mrs. Reagan in the commissioning of Ronald Reagan July 12.

For related news, visit the Naval Sea Systems Command Navy NewsStand page at [url]www.news.navy.mil/local/navsea.[url]

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