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Essex-class aircraft carrier
Photo: PH1 D.L. Lash, U.S. Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
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Essex-classaircraftcarrier

Fleet Aircraft Carriers · United States · 1942
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Essex-classaircraftcarrier

Essex-class aircraft carrier
Essex-class aircraft carrier Photo: PH1 D.L. Lash, U.S. Navy · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain Use of this image does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Air Wing Capacity
85
Sortie Generation
80
Power Projection
88
Survivability
75
Endurance
80
Sensors & C2
60
Aviation Facilities
90
Speed
70
Strategic Impact
95
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin United States
ManufacturerNewport News Shipbuilding
CategoryFleet Aircraft Carriers
EraWorld War II
In service1942–1950
Operators1 countries
Quantity24
Data Quality85%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
83
Fleet Aircraft Carriers MASS Rating
1/21
World War II
8/62
All-Time
Fleet Aircraft Carriers · 10 axes scored
Air Wing Capacity
85
Sortie Generation
80
Power Projection
88
Survivability
75
Endurance
80
Sensors & C2
60
Aviation Facilities
90
Speed
70
Strategic Impact
95
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the fleet aircraft carriers category.
01 / Overview
Essex-class aircraft carrier
Production
1942–1950
Quantity
24
Unit Price (current)
$1.3B↗ 1875% inflation · 1942→2025
Original Price
$68.0M (1942)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
FLEET AIRCRAFT CARRIERS · WORLD WAR II
1
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
92
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$1.3B
Original: $68.0M (1942)
Inflation: +%1875
83
fleet aircraft carriers category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the fleet aircraft carriers category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎Identification7MOD.7
  • Hull ClassificationCV
  • Ship TypeAircraft carrier
  • Builder / ShipyardNewport News Shipbuilding, Fore River Shipyard, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard
  • Laid Down1941
  • Commissioned1942
  • Ships in Class24
  • In ServiceNo
◈Displacement2MOD.2
  • Standard Displacement27,066 t
  • Full Load Displacement36,962.08 t
▣Dimensions3MOD.3
  • Length (overall)266 m
  • Beam45 m
  • Draft8 m
◇Complement2MOD.2
  • Total Complement2,631
  • Officers268
◆Propulsion9MOD.9
  • PropulsionSteam Turbine
  • Arrangement (CODAG/COGAG…)Westinghouse geared turbines
  • Number of Engines8
  • Shaft Power111,855 kW
  • Shafts / Screws4
  • Top Speed33 kn
  • Cruise Speed15 kn
  • Range20,000
  • Nuclear-PoweredNo
▤Gun Armament4MOD.4
  • Main Gun5-inch (127 mm) /38 caliber guns
  • Main Gun Calibre127 mm
  • Main Gun Count12
  • Secondary Guns40 mm Bofors guns, 20 mm Oerlikon cannon
⬢Missile Armament1MOD.1
▲Underwater Warfare2MOD.2
◎Aviation3MOD.3
◈Sensors & Combat Systems3MOD.3
▣Survivability4MOD.4
◇Cost1MOD.1
  • Unit Cost68 USD
◆Fleet Status6MOD.6
  • Completed24
  • Planned32
  • Cancelled8
  • Lost0
  • Retired24
  • Preserved4
▤Armour3MOD.3
  • ArmourBelt: 2.5–4 in on .75 in STS; Decks: 2.5 in STS hangar deck
  • Belt Armour64 mm
  • Deck Armour64 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1939First deployment: World War II
  2. 1942Production started
  3. 1950Production ended
84
years in service
8
years in production
24
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE10terms
Anti-Submarine Warfare. Capability to detect, track, and engage submarines.
Automated Damage Control is a shipboard system that detects, assesses, and mitigates combat damage on aircraft carriers using sensors and software to enhance response speed and reduce crew workload.
A defensive system on fleet aircraft carriers designed to detect, protect against, and mitigate chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
A technique to reduce a ship's magnetic signature by neutralizing its internal magnetic field, minimizing vulnerability to magnetic mines or detection.
Military action involving the use of electromagnetic spectrum to disrupt, deceive, or destroy enemy electronic systems.
The upper deck of an aircraft carrier, equipped for aircraft takeoff, landing, and maintenance operations.
Sonar system installed on the hull of a ship, used for underwater detection and navigation by emitting and receiving sound waves.
Cruise missiles designed to strike land targets from naval platforms, typically launched from ships or submarines.
A mechanical device that converts steam pressure into rotational energy, used to drive shipboard generators or propulsion systems.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Fleet Aircraft Carriers entry →