Key Points and Summary – The flank (maximum) speed of a U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is officially over 30 knots (35 mph), with its exact top speed remaining classified.
-This impressive velocity for a 97,000-ton warship is generated by two nuclear reactors producing 260,000 shaft horsepower to turn four massive propellers.
Two F-35C Lightning II carrier variant joint strike fighters conduct the first catapult launches aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The F-35 Lightning II Pax River Integrated Test Force from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 is conducting initial at-sea trials aboard Nimitz. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Dane Wiedmann/Released)
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steams in the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 5, 2024. Nimitz is underway in 3rd Fleet conducting routine training operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Carson Croom)
-This speed provides a key tactical advantage, allowing the carrier to reposition within a 700-square-mile area in just 30 minutes.
-While flank speed is reserved for critical situations, high speeds are also essential for generating wind over the deck during aircraft launch and recovery operations.
What is the Flank Speed of a Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier?
“Need for Speed” continues this weekend: How fast is fast enough?
The question is relevant to U.S. aircraft carriers—the supreme power projection platforms of the U.S. Navy.
In June, the Navy sent the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and its carrier strike group (CSG) on a final operational deployment before the carrier is decommissioned.
The group traveled to the Middle East, arriving with four guided-missile destroyers and similar air power to the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) with Carrier Air Wing 17.
While the Nimitz deployment originally intended to replace the Carl Vinson in operations, the two CSGs’ deployments to the CENTCOM area of responsibility instead will overlap—a tactic that has been employed regularly over the last 20 months, especially during the height of fighting between Israel and Iran.
Flank Speed Of the Nimitz-Class Carriers
The flank speed of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is more than 30 knots, or more than 35 miles per hour.
While the exact maximum speed is classified, the designed speed is known to be at least 31.5 knots. This speed is achievable thanks to the power generated by the carrier’s two nuclear reactors, which drive its four steam turbines and propeller shafts.
USS Nimitz. Image Credit: U.S. Navy
Nimitz-class carriers are powered by two nuclear reactors, which produce steam to drive the turbines and achieve these high speeds.
The steam turbines turn four propeller shafts, and the ship’s maximum power output is around 260,000 shaft horsepower. According to Navy officials, it takes about 10 minutes for these massive 97,000-ton warships to reach flank speed.
Forbes wrote about the carrier’s speed and ability to cover territory: “Because they can sustain speeds of 35 miles per hour, the Nimitz-class carriers populating the current fleet can move to anywhere within a 700-square-mile area within 30 minutes. After 90 minutes, that area grows to over 6,000 square miles.”
While capable of high speeds, carriers can also execute tight turns—though this may be disruptive at high speeds. Indeed, an F-18 was lost overboard when a carrier was forced to dodge a Houthi missile fired from Yemen.
Nimitz-class Carriers are Propelled By Massive Propellers
Carriers generally cruise at around 20 knots but will seek higher speeds when necessary, especially during aircraft launch and recovery operations.
The four propellers on the Nimitz-class carriers are approximately 25 feet in diameter, and each weighs about 30 tons.
When power is applied, torque on the shafts is limited to prevent damage—the shafts can ‘twist’ up to one and a half times (540 degrees).
The longest shafts are 184 feet long,” Ross Hall, an anti-submarine officer, explained, while recounting what it is like to travel at flank speed on a carrier.
The Ford-class carriers are even more powerful.
PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 5, 2024) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transits the Philippine Sea, Feb. 5, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Nine, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 7th Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Benvie)
Support Ships in the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group
A Nimitz CSG typically includes the aircraft carrier itself, guided-missile cruisers, guided-missile destroyers, a destroyer squadron (DESRON) to command the surface ships, and an embarked carrier air wing (CVW) of various aircraft.
These components work together to provide defense, command and control, and offensive airpower for the strike group.
At the core is the aircraft carrier, the flagship, which provides the platform for launching and recovering aircraft.
Guided-missile cruisers, such as the Ticonderoga-class, provide air defense and command and control for the strike group.
Guided-missile destroyers, such as the Arleigh Burke-class, offer a range of capabilities, including anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-air.
The DESRON staff provides command and control for the surface combatants (cruisers and destroyers) in the group.
Sailors prepare to man the rails as Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, June 25. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leon Vonguyen)
The CVW brings together squadrons of all aircraft that fly from the carrier, including fighters, electronic warfare, and early warning aircraft, depending on the mission and deployment.
A Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, with its top speed exceeding 30 knots, can reach the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean in roughly 5-10 days, depending on its route and any stops along the way. Flank speed is generally not sustainable for prolonged periods.
While warships are designed to handle sustained high speeds, flank speed is typically reserved for critical situations, such as escaping immediate danger or engaging in combat.
But the Nimitz-class carriers can “turn and burn” with any surface ships.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.
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