Wasp vs Nimitz

The Wasp and the Nimitz are both Aircraft carrier classes. The Nimitz displaces 100,000 tons — 2.4x the Wasp's 41,150 tons. The Wasp reaches 22 knots vs 30 knots for the Nimitz. Operational range is 9,500 nautical miles for the Wasp vs 99,999 for the Nimitz. The Wasp carries a crew of 1,070 vs 5,000 for the Nimitz. The Wasp was produced in 8 units vs 10 for the Nimitz. Cost per hull is $2,280M for the Wasp vs $4,500M for the Nimitz. The Wasp was commissioned in 1989, 14 years after the Nimitz (1975).

American amphibious assault ship, 41,150 tons displacement, built by Ingalls Shipbuilding.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Aircraft carrier
Type Amphibious assault ship
Manufacturer Ingalls Shipbuilding
Year introduced 1989
Number built 8 units
Estimated unit price $2,280 million
United States aircraft carrier, introduced in 1975, propelled by two nuclear reactors.
Origin 🇺🇸 United States
Category Aircraft carrier
Type Aircraft carrier
Manufacturer Newport News Shipbuilding Company
Year introduced 1975
Number built 10 units
Estimated unit price $4,500 million
Displacement 41,150 tons
Maximum speed 22.0 knots
Range 9,500 nm at 18 knots
Length 257.0 m
Beam 31.8 m
Crew 1,070
Propulsion Two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 shp (52,000 kW); Two General Electric LM2500 geared gas turbines, two shafts (USS Makin Island)
Armament
  • 2 × RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers
  • 2 × RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile launchers
  • 3 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS systems
  • 4 × 25 mm Mk 38 Machine Gun Systems
  • 4 × .50 BMG machine guns
Displacement 100,000 tons
Maximum speed 30.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 332.8 m
Beam 76.8 m
Crew 5,000
Propulsion 2 × Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors, 4 × steam turbines, 4 × shafts, 260,000 shp (190 MW)
Armament
  • 2–3 × Mk 29 Guided Missile Launching Systems (8 × RIM-162 ESSM or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles each)
  • 3–4 × Phalanx CIWS
  • 2 × Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching Systems (21 × RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles each)
  • Mk 38 25 mm Machine Gun Systems

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Wasp-class or Nimitz-class?
The Nimitz-class has greater displacement at 100,000 tons compared to the Wasp-class's 41,150 tons.
Which is faster, the Wasp-class or Nimitz-class?
The Nimitz-class is faster with a maximum speed of 30 knots compared to the Wasp-class's 22 knots.
Which has longer range, the Wasp-class or Nimitz-class?
The Nimitz-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Wasp-class has a range of 9,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Wasp-class or Nimitz-class?
The Nimitz-class is longer at 332.8 meters compared to the Wasp-class's 257.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Wasp-class and Nimitz-class have?
The Nimitz-class has a larger crew complement of 5,000 compared to the Wasp-class's 1,070 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Wasp-class or Nimitz-class?
The Nimitz-class is more expensive at approximately $4.5 billion per unit compared to the Wasp-class at $2.3 billion.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Wasp-class or Nimitz-class?
The Nimitz-class has been built in greater numbers with 10 vessels compared to 8 vessels of the Wasp-class.