About the Ship


Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) will be the ninth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.  The ship, currently under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News (formerly Newport News Shipbuilding), was christened on March 4, 2001, and launched six days later.  At the time of the christening, Reagan was about 60 percent complete.   The ship will undergo another two years of final construction, with delivery to the Navy set for the year 2003.

When the President's namesake ship joins the fleet in 2003, it will be the most modern and sophisticated aircraft carrier in the world.  Reagan is 1,092 feet long, and once completed, will be home to 6,000 sailors, carry more than 80 aircraft and cruise at speeds in excess of 30 knots.