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The aircraft carrier “Kitty Hawk,” one of the U.S. Navy’s last fossil-fueled behemoths, was sold for just a penny and flown to Texas to be dismantled, ending an era of military service that spanned global conflicts from World War I. from Vietnam to Iraq.
The “Kitty Hawk”, one of the United States Navy's last fossil fuel-powered aircraft carriers, ends its historic journey with a symbolic sale. Sold for just a penny on the dollar, this colossus of the sea went to the shipyard in Texas, destined to be dismantled and sold for scrap.
The transaction, seen as the bargain of the decade, surprised both admirers of the powerful ship and American politicians. The sale price contrasts drastically with its original cost of 264 million dollars in the 60s, equivalent to almost 3 billion reais today.
Where did the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk serve?
The “Kitty Hawk,” which served bravely in the Vietnam and Iraq Wars, was retired in 2009 after nearly 50 years of service. His final journey is a colossal 30-kilometre operation, skirting South America all the way to Texas. Without engines or equipment, she is towed slowly by four tugboats, a journey marked by technical stops and adjustments. The fate of the “Kitty Hawk” symbolizes the transformation of an instrument of military power into recyclable metal, while raising questions about the economics and practicality of maintaining such giants of the sea. The United States, in the past, also tried to sell naval units to Brazil, read the full article.
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Propulsion and capacity: fossil fuel vs. nuclear
Fossil fuel-powered aircraft carriers, such as the USS Kitty Hawk, operate with a propulsion system that relies on frequent fuel deliveries, which can limit their range and ability to remain in continuous operation at sea. This limitation contrasts with that of nuclear aircraft carriers, which, like the Nimitz class, use nuclear reactors. These reactors guarantee almost unlimited autonomy without the need for refueling for two decades, offering greater operational capacity and additional space for aircraft and weapons, due to the savings in space that would be allocated for fuel.
The pioneering of the nuclear aircraft carrier
The history of nuclear aircraft carriers began with the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), launched in 1961, revolutionizing naval strategy with its nuclear propulsion that allowed extensive operations without refueling. Followed by the Nimitz class, these giants of the seas represent the pinnacle of naval technology, with superior capabilities in autonomy, speed and offensive potential. The transition to nuclear propulsion allowed for a more sustainable and efficient force projection globally, solidifying United States naval dominance.
These differences highlight not only technological advances, but also changes in maritime military strategy, where aircraft carriers like the “Kitty Hawk” represent a legacy from a previous era, contrasting with the modernity and efficiency of the nuclear colossi that dominate the seas today.
