These carriers could project U.S. power practically anywhere globally serving as floating airbases.
What About theUnited States-Class?
The United States Navy admiralty was already looking beyond theMidway-class that only entered service just as the hostilities ended.
Aerial view of two F/A-18C Hornet aircraft of Strike Fighter Squadron Seventy-Four (VFA-74) in flight above the Forrestal Class, Aircraft Carrier USSSaratoga(CV 60) during Operation Desert Shield. Image: NARA
In addition, the Imperial Japanese NavysRyujowas a flush-decked carrier without an island superstructure.
However,Ryujoproved to be top-heavy and the issue was never fully addressed.
However, that fact was also what scuttled the program just as it was getting started.
Turning starboard, the aircraft carrier USSForrestal(CV-59) steams at the head of its battle group as it approaches New York City for Fleet Week. Image: NARA
The USSUnited Stateswas canceled just as the first plates were laid down in 1949.
It also resulted in the U.S. Navy opting for a more conventional design.
This included a broader flight deck, while the size was increased by some 25 percent.
A bow view of the aircraft carrier USSSaratoga(CV 60) underway in 1985. Image: NARA
In fact, it is almost impossible today to consider how it could have been successfully accomplished.
In the end, the supercarriers featured a taller and larger island.
In addition, other nations also began to see the merits of such a flight deck layout.
Ordnancemen maneuver a pallet of ammunition in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USSRanger(CV 61.) Image: NARA
Not all of the elements employed with theForrestal-class proved to be entirely perfected, however.
It is simply a fact that theNimitz-class andGerald R. Ford-class designs benefitted from the lessons learned with theForrestal-class supercarriers.
USSForrestalsubsequently was deployed numerous times to the Mediterranean until 1966 when she received an overhaul.
The USSAmerica(CVA-58) was intended to be the first supercarrier in the U.S. Navy. This artist’s rendering shows the ship without any island. Image: U.S. Navy
Due to the accident, the U.S. Navy learned fire-fighting lessons that are now in practice today.
USSForrestalwas decommissioned in September 1993 after nearly four decades in service.
Bush(CVN-77).
Still under construction, the USSForrestalis eased away from its berth for early sea trials. Image: NARA
She then made a final voyage to Brownsville, Texas, in the spring of 2017.
She arrived to a heros welcome and was subsequently broken up.
The aircraft carrier USSForrestal(CV-59) approaches the Verrazano Narrows Bridge that connects Staten Island to Brooklyn. Image: NARA
A port view of the aircraft carrier USSIndependence(CV-62) anchored in the harbor of Toulon, France. Image: NARA
The carriers were named after Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal (at right). He is shown above with General Dwight D. Eisenhower in Normandy, France during the fall of 1944. Image: NARA
A port view of the island and masts of the aircraft carrier USSForrestal(CV 59). Visible are the multiple bridges. The square SPS-48C 3-D radar used for aircraft control is at the center left. Image: NARA
Operations Specialist 2nd Class Jeff Clinton monitors a radar screen aboard the aircraft carrier USSIndependence(CV-62.) Image: NARA
A view from the cockpit of an Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176)KA-6D Intruder aircraftas it approaches the stern of the aircraft carrier USSForrestal(CV 59). Image: NARA
Crewman aboard the aircraft carrier USSIndependence(CV 62) stand by to refuel the guided missile destroyer USSWilliam V. Pratt(DDG 44) off the Virginia Capes in 1988. Image: NARA
AnF-14A Tomcatof Fighter Squadron 2 (VF-2) turns toward the aircraft carrier USSRanger(CV-61) in mid-1987. AnIowa-class battleshipis on theRanger’sport side. Image: NARA
Mascot of the USSRanger(CV-61), the Lone Ranger rides along the pier as the aircraft carrier arrived in port. The Rangerreturned home following deployment during Operation Desert Storm. Image: NARA
The crew of the USSForrestallaunches aF-4 Phantom IIof Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74.) Image: NARA
USSForrestal(CV 59) underway approximately one month after fires and explosions damaged the ship leaving 132 crewmen dead, 62 injured, and two missing in waters off Vietnam. Image: NARA
Actress Suzanne Somers entertains the crew aboard the aircraft carrier USSRanger(CV-61) in late 1981. Image: NARA
Sailors from Forrestal-Class, USSIndependence(CV-62) ordnance department load an AIM-54 Phoenix missile on the wings of an F-14 fighter before a mission in the Arabian Sea. Image: NARA
The aircraft carrier USSForrestal(CV-59) transits the Suez Canal in 1988. A formation of crewmen spells out “108” to signify that the ship has been at sea for 108 consecutive days. Image: NARA
An overall view of aircraft, equipment and supplies in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USSRanger(CV 61) while operating off the coast of Southern California. Image: NARA
The aircraft carrier USSForrestal(CV-59) moves past the Statue of Liberty as it approaches the Hudson River to visit New York City for Fleet Week ’89. Image: PH2 Richard/U.S. Navy
