Editing Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier

{{Short description|Class of U.S. supercarriers}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin 
| infobox caption = yes
}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=US Navy 060526-N-8591H-164 USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) departs Yokosuka, Japan, to conduct sea trials in the Western Pacific Ocean.jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''Kitty Hawk'' conducting sea trials in the Western Pacific Ocean, May 2006
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=''Kitty Hawk'' class
|Builders=* [[New York Shipbuilding]]
* [[New York Navy Yard]]
* [[Newport News Shipbuilding]]
|Operators={{naval|United States}}
|Class before={{sclass|Forrestal|aircraft carrier|4}}
|Class after={{sclass|Enterprise|aircraft carrier|4}}
|Subclasses=[[#John F. Kennedy class|''John F. Kennedy'' class]] (variant)
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range=   
|In commission range=21 April 1961 – 31 January 2009
|Total ships building= 
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=3 plus 1 variant
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active=
|Total ships laid up=1
|Total ships lost=
|Total ships scrapped=2 plus 1 scuttled
|Total ships preserved=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption= 
|Ship class=
|Ship type=[[Aircraft carrier]]
|Ship displacement= *{{convert|60933|LT|MT|abbr=on}} light
* {{convert|81780|LT|MT|abbr=on}} full load
|Ship length= *{{convert|1069|ft|m|abbr=on}} overall
* {{convert|990|ft|m|abbr=on}} waterline
|Ship beam= *{{convert|130|ft|m|abbr=on}} waterline
* {{convert|282|ft|m|abbr=on}} extreme
|Ship height=
|Ship draft={{convert|38|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship power={{cvt|280000|shp|MW}}
|Ship propulsion=* 8 × steam boilers with [[Westinghouse Electric (1886)|Westinghouse]] geared steam turbines
*4 × shafts
|Ship speed={{convert|32|kn|abbr=on}}
|Ship range={{cvt|12000|mi}}
|Ship fuel=7800 tons
|Ship aviation fuel={{cvt|5882|LT}}
|Ship ammunition= up to {{cvt|1600|LT}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=
|Ship complement= 5,624
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=
* 24 × [[Sea Sparrow]]s and [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile]]s
* 3–4 × [[Phalanx CIWS]]s
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=Up to 90 aircraft
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

The ''' ''Kitty Hawk''-class''' [[supercarrier]]s of the [[United States Navy]] were an incremental improvement on the {{sclass|Forrestal|aircraft carrier|0}} vessels. Three were built, all in the 1960s, {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|3}} (1961–2009), {{USS|Constellation|CV-64|3}} (1961–2003), and {{USS|America|CV-66|3}} (1965–1996), as well as the variant {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|3}} (1967–2007). All are now decommissioned.

==Improved ''Forrestal'' carriers==
The biggest differences from the ''Forrestal''s are greater length, and a different placement of [[elevator]]s; two are forward of the [[Aircraft carrier#Flight deck|island]], one is aft of the island and another on the portside stern. The movement of the No. 4 elevator from the forward to the aft end of the angle made it useful for aircraft movement, since the forward-end elevator in the ''Forrestal''s was sited in both the landing path and in the launch path of the waist catapults.

Three different [[shipyard]]s were used to construct the ships. ''Kitty Hawk'' was built at [[New York Shipbuilding]] Corporation, ''Constellation'' at [[New York Naval Shipyard]], ''America'' and ''John F. Kennedy'' at [[Newport News Shipbuilding]]. ''John F. Kennedy'' is similar to the earlier units in flight deck arrangement and propulsion, but has enough differences that she is placed in her own class. Propulsion consisted of four Westinghouse geared turbines, {{convert|280000|shp|lk=in}}, four shafts with eight {{convert|1200|psi}} [[Foster Wheeler Corporation|Foster Wheeler]] boilers.

==Construction and design differences==
The initial design for the class was known as [[Ship Characteristics Board|SCB 127]], and ''Kitty Hawk'' and ''Constellation'' were completed to design SCB 127A.<ref name=Friedman>{{cite book |title=U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History |first=Norman |last=Friedman |pages=274–280, 317 |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=United States Naval Institute |date=1983 |isbn=0-87021-739-9}}</ref>

The first three units were constructed with a [[RIM-2 Terrier|Terrier]] [[surface-to-air missile]] system. The supporting missile launchers and [[AN/SPG-55]] radars consumed a large amount of space, while at the same time duplicating the capabilities of the air defence escorts, and were later removed. ''John F. Kennedy'' did not have Terrier and was built with the shorter ranged [[Sea Sparrow]], Basic Point Defense Missile System (BPDMS). All were eventually equipped with NATO Sea Sparrow (NSSM) and [[Phalanx CIWS]] for self-defense.<ref name=MNC>{{cite book |title=Modern Naval Combat |first1=David |last1=Miller |first2=Chris |last2=Miller |pages=116–17 |location=London, New York |publisher=Salamander Books |date=1986 |isbn=0-86101-231-3}}</ref> In 2001, ''Kitty Hawk'' received two [[RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile|Rolling Airframe Missile]] launchers replacing the forward Sea Sparrow and Phalanx CIWS equipment.<ref>{{cite web|first=Doug |last=Huddy |url=http://www.stripes.com/01/jul01/ed072501f.html |title=USS ''Kitty Hawk'' gets upgrade with Rolling Airframe Missile weapon system |work=Stars and Stripes |date=25 July 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211005248/http://www.stripes.com/01/jul01/ed072501f.html |archive-date=11 December 2008 }}</ref> The [[SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare Suite]] was added as part of the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) on ''Kitty Hawk'' and ''Constellation''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/an-slq-32.htm |title=AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare (EW) system |website=fas.org |date=30 June 1999 |access-date=4 May 2016}}</ref>

''America'' was designed under project SCB 127B and so had several differences from the lead units of the class.<ref name=Friedman/> Instead of two forward [[anchor]]s, one on each side, ''America'' had no port side anchor and an additional anchor astern, a change made to accommodate the AN/SQS-23 [[sonar]]. ''America'' was the only post-World War II U.S. carrier to be built with sonar, which was however removed in the early 1980s. She also had a narrow smokestack compared to prior units.<ref name=MNC/>

===''John F. Kennedy'' class===
{{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|2}} was originally scheduled to be the fourth ''Kitty Hawk''-class carrier,<ref name="donation">{{cite press release |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=49825 |title=Navy Announces Availability of ex-John F. Kennedy for Donation |publisher=US Navy |number=NNS091123-04 |author=Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications |date=23 November 2009 |access-date=4 May 2016 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629190149/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=49825 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but because she received so many modifications under project SCB 127C,<ref name=Friedman/> she formed her own ship class<ref name="donation"/> and is often listed as a single-vessel class. ''Kennedy'' had similar design changes regarding the anchors to accommodate a sonar array, but the sonar was never installed. There was also a proposal to make her nuclear powered under competing project SCB 211A,<ref name=Friedman/> but since Congress would not authorize it, ''Kennedy'' was constructed as a conventionally powered carrier.<ref name=MNC/> Her smokestack is also different and tilts outboard to send stack gas away from the flight deck. The angled end of the [[Angled flight deck|waist]] is also different from the other ''Kitty Hawk''s, bearing a closer resemblance to that of the {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|4}}. ''Kennedy'' is also {{convert|17|ft|m}} shorter in length than the other ''Kitty Hawk''-class carriers.

==Decommissioning==
From 1987 to 1991 ''Kitty Hawk'' was overhauled for $785&nbsp;million under the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) at [[Philadelphia Naval Shipyard]].<ref>{{cite news |title=A somber farewell to the Kitty Hawk; the job done, the carrier leaves. But clouds hang over the yard |first=Laurie |last=Hollman |newspaper=Philadelphia Inquirer |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |date=31 July 1991 |pages=B.1}}</ref> From 1990 to 1992, ''Constellation'' received her $800&nbsp;million service life extension also in Philadelphia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Revamped Aircraft Carrier Sails For 10-Day Sea Trial |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |location=Orlando, Florida |date=7 November 1992 |pages=A.14}}</ref> The program was intended to add 15 years to the life of the ships. ''John F. Kennedy'' was not overhauled as part of SLEP. Instead, from 1993 to 1995, she received a $491&nbsp;million overhaul.  It was the final project of Philadelphia Naval Shipyard prior to its closing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shipyard's Closing Uproots 4,400 Workers: Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Scheduled To Close Sept. 15 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |date=2 May 1995 |pages=12.C}}</ref> ''America'' had been scheduled to be overhauled under the service life extension program after ''Constellation'', but she was decommissioned 9 August 1996 instead, during a time of budget cuts after the [[Cold War]]. ''America'' was in very poor condition when she was decommissioned, and therefore despite her historical significance was not held as a donation asset. She was expended as a [[Live fire exercise|live-fire target]] and sunk on 14 May 2005.

''Constellation'' was decommissioned 7 August 2003. ''John F. Kennedy'' was decommissioned on 23 March 2007. Only ''Kitty Hawk'' remained in service as of early 2008 and was replaced by {{USS|George Washington|CVN-73|6}} as the forward-deployed carrier in Japan. ''Kitty Hawk'' returned to the United States after the turnover.<ref>United States Navy. [https://archive.today/20041205175655/http://www.kitty-hawk.navy.mil/command/faq.html Kitty Hawk Command FAQ]. Accessed 12 January 2008.  </ref> She was decommissioned on 12 May 2009.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Fox News |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,359065,00.html |title=USS Kitty Hawk, Navy's Oldest Active Ship, Leaves Japan to Be Decommissioned |date=28 May 2008 |access-date=4 May 2016}}</ref>

==Ships in class==
{| class="sortable wikitable"
! Name
! Hull Number
! Photo
! Builder
! Ordered
! Laid Down
! Launched 
! Commissioned
! Decommissioned
! Fate 
! Source
|-
!colspan=11|''Kitty Hawk'' class
|-
| {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|2}}
| CV-63
| [[File:US Navy 050517-N-0120R-127 The conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) sails past a small group of Japanese fishing vessels and heads toward Sagami Bay.jpg|200px]]
| [[New York Shipbuilding|New York Shipbuilding Corporation]], [[Camden, New Jersey]] || 1 October 1955 || 27 December 1956 || 21 May 1960 ||  29 April 1961 || 12 May 2009 || Broken up at Brownsville Texas 2024 || [{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CV63}}]
|-
| {{USS|Constellation|CV-64|2}}
| CV-64
| [[File:US Navy 030602-N-8590B-001 USS Constellation (CV 64) returns to its homeport in San Diego.jpg|200px]]
| [[Brooklyn Navy Yard|New York Naval Shipyard]], New York City || 1 July 1956 || 14 September 1957 || 8 October 1960 || 27 October 1961 || 7 August 2003 || Broken up at [[Brownsville Texas|Brownsville Texas ]] 2015 || [{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CV64}}]
|-
| {{USS|America|CV-66|2}}
| CV-66
| [[File:USS America (CV-66) underway in the Indian Ocean on 24 April 1983.jpg|200px]]
| [[Northrop Grumman Newport News|Newport News Shipbuilding]], [[Newport News, Virginia]] || 25 November 1960 || 9 January 1961 || 1 February 1964 || 23 January 1965 || 9 August 1996 || [[SINKEX|Sunk as target]], 14 May 2005 || [{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CV66}}]
|-
!colspan=11|''John F. Kennedy'' class variant
|-
| {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|2}}
| CV-67
| [[File:USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) departs Naval Station Mayport on 11 November 2003.jpg|200px]]
| [[Northrop Grumman Newport News|Newport News Shipbuilding]], [[Newport News, Virginia]] || 30 April 1964 || 22 October 1964 || 27 May 1967 || 7 September 1968 || 23 March 2007 || Undergoing scrapping ||[{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CV67}}]
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:USS John F Kennedy (CV 67) island outboard 2004.jpg|''John F. Kennedy''{{'}}s smokestack tilts outboard to send stack gas away from the flight deck.
File:USS America (CV-66) island 1976.jpg|''America''{{'}}s island in the mid 1970s, still equipped with [[AN/SPG-55]] radar for Terrier.
File:USS Constellation (CV-64) starboard amidships.jpg|''Constellation''{{'}}s island in the early 1980s, note the different stack configuration from ''America'' and ''John F. Kennedy'' and alternate mounting of Terrier fire control radars
File:USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) bow 2007.jpg|2007 bow view of ''Kitty Hawk''. Note the position of forward anchors and Rolling Airframe Missile launchers on either side instead of CIWS and NSSM.
File:USS America (CV-66) low view of stbd bow.jpg|''America'' showing bow anchor which previous units did not have.
File:USS Constellation (CV-64) aerial Battle E.jpg|Aerial view of ''Constellation'' showing flightdeck shape and arrangement.
File:USS John F Kennedy (CV-67) port stern view 2004.jpg|Stern view of the port side of ''John F. Kennedy'' showing the elevator and self-defense AAW equipment.
File:USS Independence (CV-62) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) at Pearl Harbor crop.jpg|{{USS|Independence|CV-62|2}}, left, a ''Forrestal''-class carrier next to ''Kitty Hawk'' (right)
File:USS John F Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway crop.jpg|{{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|2}} and {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60|2}}, a ''Forrestal''-class carrier. Note the differences in island and aircraft elevator configuration.
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kitty Hawk class aircraft carriers}}
*[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/cv-63.htm Federation of American Scientists – Kitty Hawk Class]

{{Kitty Hawk class aircraft carrier}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Aircraft carrier classes]]
[[Category:Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers| ]]
[[Category:Cold War aircraft carriers of the United States| Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Vietnam War aircraft carriers of the United States| Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers]]