New Delhi: America has taken a big step amid the ongoing controversy between China and Taiwan. The US has deployed a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier near Taiwan to keep China under control. This warship has all the facilities related to war. It is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, named after US Pacific Fleet Commander Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz during World War II. However, Ronald Reagan is named after the former US President. The USS Ronald Reagan of the US Navy is the second largest aircraft carrier in the world.
This is the specialty of Ronald Reagan
The Nimitz class consists of 10 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. In which Ronald Reagan has a new career. She was commissioned into the US Navy on 12 July 2003. Since then she has been actively active as the flagship battleship of the US Seventh Fleet. It has a displacement of over 1.01 lakh tonnes and a length of 1092 feet. Two nuclear reactors power this aircraft carrier. USS Ronald Reagan has four steam turbines. It moves through the water at a speed of 56 kilometers per hour. Its range is unlimited. It can last continuously for 20 to 25 years. 90 fixed wing aircraft and helicopters can be deployed on this aircraft carrier.
Three types of lethal weapons deployed on Ronald Reagan
There are three types of lethal weapons deployed on the USS Ronald Reagan. The first developed is the Sea Sparrow missile. The second is a rolling airframe missile and the third is a close-in weapons system (CIWS). All three weapons can attack and destroy enemy targets. Also, you can defend the ship from enemy planes, drones, rockets and missiles. 2480 soldiers can be deployed on it. Ronald Reagan has a sophisticated electronic warfare system. Called the AN/SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasure Suite. In addition, the SLQ-25A Nixie Torpedo Countermeasure System is installed, which informs enemy torpedoes in advance, arrival time, speed etc. So that can be avoided.
Ronald Reagan ordered to stay close to Taiwan: US NSC spokesman
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the USS Ronald Reagan has been ordered to stay close to Taiwan. Because China is constantly maneuvering with its missiles. America’s best fighter jets are deployed on this aircraft carrier. These include the F-35B Lightning-2 Joint Strike Fighter jets. In addition, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, E-2C Hawkeye spy aircraft, SH-60F Seahawk helicopters and C-2A Greyhound surveillance aircraft are also deployed on USS Ronald Reagan. The US did not disclose the number of aircraft on the carrier at the time of its deployment near Taiwan.
Fires 180 rounds per minute at an altitude of 50,000 feet
The F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is based on the USS Ronald Reagan. It is flown by the same pilot. Length is 51.4 feet, wingspan is 35 feet and height is 14.4 feet. The maximum speed is 1975 KM/h. Combat range is 1239 KM. It can go up to a maximum height of 50 thousand feet. It has a 25 mm rotary cannon with 4 barrels. Which fires 180 bullets in a minute. It has four internal and six external hardpoints. Air-to-air, air-to-surface, air-to-ship and anti-ship missiles can be deployed. Apart from this, four types of bombs can be planted. That is, this fighter jet is enough to give a jaw-dropping reply to China. Another dangerous fighter jet is the F-18 Super Hornet. Its speed is Mach 1.8 i.e. 2222.4 kilometers per hour. The Super Hornet has a range of 3300 km. The F-18 Super Hornet can fly at an altitude of 50,000 feet. Where the Super Hornet goes at a speed of 228 meters per second. The Super Hornet is armed with the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. The Hornet is fitted with a 20 mm caliber M61A1 Vulcan cannon.