The DoD Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) approved the Navy's request that the CVX class carrier be large deck and nuclear powered with a new propulsion plant and electrical power system that will use an evolutionary approach beginning with CVX-1. The DAB review considered various propulsion alternatives and associated developmental costs and operational and technical risks, together with the proven merits of nuclear propulsion. The merits were articulated by the unified commanders and Joint Chiefs of Staff. This approach will improve affordability, incorporate needed warfighting improvements, and provide for future flexibility, while providing for backfit to NIMITZ class ships.

In their review, the DAB considered the Navy's request to proceed with the CVX program based on a ship class with a large deck (75-plane airwing capacity), as well as a new design nuclear propulsion plant and electrical power system.

Point of contact for media queries is Navy Lt. Cmdr. Lydia Robertson at (703) 697-5342.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct1998/m10091998_m174-98.html