USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)

Mission and capabilities

The mission of Stennis and her embarked Air Wing (Carrier Air Wing Nine) is to conduct sustained combat air operations while forward deployed in the global arena. The embarked Air Wing consists of eight to nine squadrons. Attached aircraft are the F/A-18 Hornet, F-14 Tomcat, EA-6B Prowler, S-3B Viking, E-2C Hawkeye, and SH-60 Seahawk.

Related Topics:
Carrier Air Wing Nine - F/A-18 Hornet - F-14 Tomcat - EA-6B Prowler - S-3B Viking - E-2C Hawkeye - SH-60 Seahawk

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The Air Wing can destroy enemy aircraft, ships, submarines, and land targets, or lay mines hundreds of miles from the ship. Stennis' aircraft are used to conduct strikes, support land battles, protect the Battle Group or other friendly shipping, and implement a sea or air blockade. The Air Wing provides a visible presence to demonstrate American power and resolve in a crisis. The ship normally operates as the centerpiece of a Carrier Battle Group commanded by a flag officer embarked upon Stennis and consisting of four to six other ships.

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Stennis' two nuclear reactors give her virtually unlimited range and endurance and a top speed in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h). The ship's four catapults and four arresting gear engines enable her to launch and recover aircraft rapidly and simultaneously. The ship carries approximately three million gallons (11,000 m³) of fuel for her aircraft and escorts, and enough weapons and stores for extended operations without replenishment. Stennis also has extensive repair capabilities, including a fully equipped Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, a micro-miniature electronics repair shop, and numerous ship repair shops.

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For defense, in addition to her Air Wing and accompanying vessels, Stennis has NATO RIM-7 Sea Sparrow short-range, surface-to-air missile systems, the Phalanx Close-in Weapons System (an extremely rapid firing 20 mm gun) for cruise missile defense, and the SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare System.

Related Topics:
NATO - RIM-7 Sea Sparrow - Phalanx - Close-in Weapons System - Electronic Warfare

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Propulsion system

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• Type: nuclear reactor
• Number of reactors: 2
• Maximum speed: more than 30 knots (56 km/h)
• Number of screws: 4 (5 blades each)
• Weight of screws: 66,200 lb (30 t) each

Flight deck/air wing

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• Number of catapults: 4
• Number of aircraft elevators: 4
• Size of Air Wing: 80+ tactical aircraft

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USS John C. Stennis at anchorMiscellaneous

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• Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co.
• Sponsor: Mrs. Margaret Stennis Womble
• Contract Date: March 29, 1988
• Keel laid: March 13, 1991
• Christened: November 11, 1993
• Commissioned: December 9, 1995
• Crew size: 5,000 (including air wing)
• Meals served daily: 16,600
• Number of compartments: 2,700
• Number of anchors: 2 (From Forrestal)
• Weight of anchors: 30 long tons (30 metric tons) each
• A/C plant capacity: 2,900 refrigeration tons (10.2 megawatts, enough to service 950 homes)
• Distillation plant capacity: 400,000 U.S. gallons (1,500 m³) (enough to serve 2000 homes)
• Number of telephones: 2,000
• Tons of structural steel: More than 60,000 short tons (55,000 metric tons)
• Length of cable and wiring: over 900 miles (1,500 km)
• Number of light fixtures: more than 30,000
• Required technical manuals: A stack as high as the Washington Monument at 555 feet (170 m)
• Bed mattresses: If lined up end-to-end, they would stretch more than 9 miles (14 km)
• Sheets: 28,000
• Pillow Cases: 14,000
• Cost: $3.5 billion; projected service life: 50 years