USS George HW Bush (CVN-77) is a modern American nuclear powered aircraft carrier. The keel for this unit was laid in 2003, the launch took place in October 2006, and commissioning to the US Navy took place in 2009. The total length of the ship is 332.8 meters, the overall width is 76.8 meters, and the full displacement is about 102,000 tons. The maximum speed does not exceed 32-33 knots. The on-board armament currently includes, among others: two Mk. 29 ESSM, two RIM-116 launchers and three 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx CIWS sets. The aircraft carrier can take on board up to 90 aircraft of such types as, for example: F / A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18 Growler, E-2A Hawkeye or Sikorsky MH / SH-60.
USS George HW Bush (CVN-77) is the tenth and last of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. The ships of this type - until the introduction of the Gerald Ford class units - were the largest and most powerful ships in history. They were also the first nuclear-powered carrier class in the history of the US Navy. From the outset, they were planned as the backbone of the US Navy strike force, and were expected to work closely with other shielding ships, such as destroyers, frigates, and submarines. They are almost a symbol of the dominance of the US Navy in the seas and world assessments. It is worth adding that the USS George HW Bush, in relation to the first aircraft carrier of this class (USS Nimitz), has a slightly greater displacement and - probably - better armor in the vital parts of the ship. The unit also has a different bow pear shape, a completely differently designed superstructure and more modern communication and electronic equipment. The vessel left for its first operational voyage in 2011, during which - among other things - it arrived in Naples, Italy. In the period 2012-2013, tests of the X-47B drone were carried out on board. In 2014, the USS George HW Bush (CVN-77) re-entered the Mediterranean, this time making a courtesy visit to the port of Piraeus, Greece. In the same year, it was also ferry to the Persian Gulf region, and its airborne air force carried out raids on targets in Syria against ISIS. This action was repeated in 2017. USS George HW Bush remains in active service and will remain in active service - presumably - until around 2055.