Carriers

News, explainers, and analysis of Navy aircraft carriers.

Latest in Carriers

A picture taken on February 25, 2026, shows Rafale M (Marine) fighter jets parked on the flight deck with the conning tower in the background as the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle during a media tour while moored at the quay of the North Port in Malmo, Sweden. (Photo by Johan NILSSON / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP via Getty Images) / Sweden OUT

French sailor goes running, reveals flagship’s location via fitness app

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 22, 2026

U.S. Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during the ship's departure from Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, March 14, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter K. McHaddad)

Navy says USS Nimitz will put off retirement and stay in service into next year

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 16, 2026

Image: U.S. Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during the ship's final departure from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Mar. 7, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, VA. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter K. McHaddad)

USS Nimitz sets off for Latin America in its last deployment

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 9, 2026

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), departs Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Dec. 6, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)

US sends Ford aircraft carrier, fresh off Venezuela operations, to the Middle East

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Feb 14, 2026

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Jan. 30, 2024) Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class James Burrous, from Richmond, Texas, assembles a toilet for replacement aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), while in-port Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Jan. 30. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Kyree Rogers)

The toilets on the Navy’s largest aircraft carrier keep failing

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jan 17, 2026

The superstructure of the aircraft carrier the USS Harry S. Truman, with a combat action ribbon banner.

USS Harry S Truman collision was nearly ‘catastrophic,’ investigation finds

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Dec 4, 2025

241231-N-TN409-1156 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Dec. 31, 2024) Two U.S. Navy pilots in an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, prepare for launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

Navy cruiser mistook fighter jets for incoming missiles during chaotic night

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Dec 4, 2025

China's aircraft carriers

China’s navy flexes muscles with new flattops

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Dec 2, 2025

The USS Gerald R. Ford sails towards the Caribbean.

Ford Carrier Strike Group arrives in Latin America

By Nicholas Slayton

Updated on Nov 11, 2025

USS Gerald R. Ford sailing through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Why the US sent its most advanced aircraft carrier to the Caribbean and what it can do

Posted on Nov 5, 2025

From front to back, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Royal Moroccan Navy FREMM multipurpose frigate Mohammed VI (701), and Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), steam in formation while transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, Oct. 1, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alyssa Joy)

Pentagon orders USS Gerald R. Ford into Caribbean, first carrier sent to region

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Oct 24, 2025

USS George Washington (CVN-73), HMS Prince of Wales (R09), JS Kaga (DDH-184), and an American amphibious assault ship sail together in the North Philippine Sea, with several aircraft overhead.

3 aircraft carriers and ships, fighters from 6 navies train in the Pacific

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Aug 10, 2025

A man fishes in front of the Russian Navy Kuznetsov class aircraft carrier moored off the coast of the town of Limassol, in the Meditteranean island of Cyprus on February 27, 2014. AFP PHOTO / YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU (Photo credit should read Yiannis Kourtoglou/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia might finally be done with its perpetually broken aircraft carrier

By Nicholas Slayton

Updated on Jul 13, 2025

The superstructure of the aircraft carrier the USS Harry S. Truman, with a combat action ribbon banner.

USS Harry S. Truman returns home after six months of fighting Houthis

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jun 2, 2025

USS Abraham Lincoln sailor wears E-FOUR Mafia patch

Sailor proudly rocks ‘E-4 Mafia’ patch as he stands watch on USS Abraham Lincoln

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

One of the Argus rockets sitting on the USS Norton Sound waiting to launch. (AEC/USDE, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Navy once tried to create a nuclear death cloud

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Aug 27, 2024