Nimitz-class aircraft carriers Nimitz-class aircraft carrier (Nimitz-class aircraft carrier) is a nuclear-powered multipurpose aircraft carrier operated by the United States Navy. It is the core force of the U.S. Navy's ocean-going battle group. It carries a variety of carrier-based aircraft for different purposes to attack enemy aircraft, ships, submarines and land targets, and protect the U.S. maritime fleet and maritime interests.
The class of aircraft carriers is named after the first USS Nimitz, named after Chester William Nimitz, commander of the Pacific Fleet during World War II. The Nimitz-class is a first class aircraft carrier for the United States Navy, consisting of ten ships built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dock Corporation in Newport, Virginia.