CVA-58 USS United States

USS United States was the U.S. Navy's first carrier of post-World War II concept and design. Intended to operate in a pure strategic role, carrying jet-propelled, long-range, 100,000-pound bombers that never came to fruition, and usually envisaged as having no tactical (non-nuclear) role, she was an object of controversy between the military services and was strongly opposed by the Air Force. Only five days after her keel had been laid down, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson cancelled her construction in favor of building a large force of land-based Convair B-36 Peacemaker bombers. The small amount of material already worked into the United States was subsequently broken up in her building dock. CVA-58 would have been, at the time of her scheduled completion, the world's largest aircraft carrier.

The design was completely flushed decked, with folding funnels and a retractable pilothouse. The flight deck was axial, not angled. There were two catapults forward for bombers and two "waist" catapults for fighters, one on each side amidships, angled out. There were four elevators. The ship would have a heavy gun armament and would carry fighters for self-defense and strike escort.

written 1. January 2025

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