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Supercarrier facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Imagine a floating city that can launch and land airplanes! That's pretty much what a supercarrier is. These amazing ships are the biggest type of Aircraft carriers ever built. They are like giant mobile airfields on the ocean, carrying many different kinds of aircraft. Supercarriers are incredibly heavy, usually weighing more than 70,000 tons. To give you an idea, that's heavier than about 10,000 elephants!

What Makes a Ship a Supercarrier?

Supercarriers are designed to be huge and powerful. Their massive size allows them to carry a large number of aircraft, sometimes over 70 planes and helicopters! They also have long runways, which are needed for jets to take off and land safely. These ships are not just big; they are also very fast and can travel across oceans to almost any part of the world.

Why Are Supercarriers So Big?

The main reason supercarriers are so large is to support modern jet aircraft. These planes need a lot of space to take off and land. The ships also need room for:

  • Fuel for the aircraft
  • Weapons and supplies
  • Workshops to repair planes
  • Living spaces for thousands of sailors and pilots

Because of their size, supercarriers can stay at sea for a long time without needing to return to port. This makes them very useful for different missions around the globe.

What Do Supercarriers Do?

Supercarriers are important tools for countries that own them. They can:

  • Launch aircraft for defense or attack missions.
  • Help with disaster relief by delivering supplies or rescuing people.
  • Show a country's strength and presence in different parts of the world.
  • Support other ships in a naval fleet.

These ships are like a moving air force base, able to project power and help in many situations far from land.

Images for kids

  • Japanese aircraft carrier Shinano

    The Japanese carrier Shinano was the biggest carrier in World War II, and the largest ship destroyed by a submarine.

  • Arromanches (R95) with Hellcat landing c1953

    An F6F-5 landing on the French Arromanches in the Tonkin Gulf, 1953.

  • Aircraft Carrier Liaoning CV-16

    Liaoning, a Type 001 aircraft carrier

  • ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser LHD

    Gamal Abdel Nasser LHD docked at Saint-Nazaire, April 2016

  • JMSDF CVH JS Izumo in Ocean

    Helicopter carrier Izumo

  • El L-61 virando a babor en su partida de Vigo (34939349652)

    Spanish Juan Carlos I with Harrier II

  • TCG Anadolu (L-400)

    TCG Anadolu (L-400) at the Sedef Shipyard in Istanbul, 9 January 2020.

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Supercarrier Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.