USS Enterprise (CVN-65), formerly CVA(N)-65, is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name. Like her predecessor of World War II fame, she is nicknamed the "Big E." At 1,123 feet (342.3 m), she is the longest naval vessel in the world[3], though her 93,500 tons displacement places her as the second heaviest supercarrier, surpassed only by the Nimitz-class.
Enterprise is currently homeported at Norfolk, Virginia. As one of the oldest carriers in the fleet, she is scheduled for decommissioning in 2014-2015. Her intended replacement is the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). Her current commanding officer is Captain Ronald Horton.
Displacement: approx. 93,500 tons full load
Length: 1,123 ft (342.3 m) [1]
Beam: 132.8 ft (40.5 m)
Draft: 39 ft (11.9 m)
Propulsion: 8 x A2W reactor, 4 x steam turbine, 4 shafts, 280,000 shp (210 MW)
Speed: 30+ knots (56+ km/h, 34+ mph)
Range: Essentially unlimited
Complement: Ship's company: 3,000 (2,700 Sailors, 150 Chiefs, 150 Officers)
Air wing: 1,800 (250 Pilots, and 1,550 Support personnel)
Armament: 2 Sea Sparrow launchers,
2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS mounts,
2 RAM launchers
Armor: 8 inch (20 cm) aluminum belt (equivalent to 4 inch rolled homogeneous steel armour)
Aircraft carried: Hold up to 90 aircraft[2]
Motto: Ready on Arrival;
The First, the Finest;
Eight Reactors, None Faster
Nickname: Big E / Mobile Chernobyl / Quarter Mile Island
Notes: 915 engineers designed the ship. They made 16,100 drawings and 2,400 blueprints. The ship has about 625 miles (1,006 km) of electrical cables and 37 miles (60 km) of ventilation ducts. The ship has 4 steam powered catapults