America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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Length - 57' 7 Height - 18' 4 Span - 80'7 Speed - 270 Kts E-2C HAWKEYE The E-2C Hawkeye is a twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft designed to provide fleet units with early warning and detection of approaching enemy forces. It is an airborne combat information center which extends task force defense perimeters. The Hawkeye provides strike and traffic control, area radar surveillance, search and rescue guidance, navigational assistance and communications relay. Carrier Early Warning Squadron VAW-123, based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, flies the E-2C from AMERICA. S-3A VIKING The S-3A Viking is the first completely computerized, carrier-based, anti-submarine jet aircraft. It has the all-weather capability to search for, localize and destroy enemy submarines. It is designed to carry an array of ordnance, including homing torpedoes. mines, depth charges, rockets and missiles. Equipped with the latest ASW sensors, it is capable of searching large areas of ocean and detecting modern nuclear submarines. The Viking is flown from AMERICA by Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron VS-32, based at NAS Cecil Field. Florida. 27

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EA-6B PROWLER Length ■ 59' Height 16'3 Span - 53' Speed - 516 Kts The EA-6B Prowler is a four-seat, all-weather aircraft with the primary mission of providing electronic warfare support to the fleet by detecting and jamming enemy radar signals. Modern anti-air defense systems, whether they use missile, gunfire or fighter interceptors, rely heavily on radar for tracking and guidance. By denying the enemy the use of his radars, the Prowler can effectively screen friendly strike aircraft and neutralize enemy weapon systems. Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron VAQ-137, based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, flies the EA-6B from AMERICA. SH-3H SEA KING The SH-3H Sea King is a gas turbine powered helicopter used primarily for antisubmarine warfare. It also provides search and rescue and logistics support to the carrier battle group as required. Capable of staying airborne for more than five hours, the Sea King is equipped with sonar, magnetic anomaly detection, sono-buoys, and multi-channel relay equipment. Helicopter Squadron HS-11, based at NAS Jacksonville. Florida, flies the Sea King from AMERICA. Length- 72'7 Height - 16' 10 Span - 62 Speed - 144 Kts 26

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Carrier Flight Operations Aircraft operations from the flight deck of an Aircraft Carrier are performed with such precision and coordination between hundreds of people that they have been compared to a well-orchestrated ballet. Landing on a flight deck entails bringing the aircraft in at an exact predetermined speed, altitude, and angle, bringing it from 150 miles per hour to a stop in a distance of 350 feet. A catapult-assisted launch sends a 44,000 pound aircraft from 0 to 180 miles per hour in a distance of 260 feet. What can appear to an observer to be total chaos, is actually hundreds of men. identified by various colored shirts according to their job, rapidly moving, servicing, and arming aircraft to permit launches and recoveries at a rate of up to one every thirty seconds.