Timeline for aircraft carrier service

Timeline for aircraft carrier service

Aircraft carriers have their origins during the days of World War I. Based on the first faltering steps made during that war, no one then could have imagined how important the aircraft carrier was to prove to be. Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States built up significant carrier fleets during the inter-war years (between the World Wars), so that by the beginning of World War II, they had 19 carriers between them. Today, aircraft carriers are the capital ships of the Navies they serve in.

For the purposes of this article an aircraft carrier is a ship with at least one permanent flush deck designed for the launch and recovery of fixed wing aircraft. This timeline does not include ships with temporary landing or taking off platforms, vessels designed for helicopter operations, marine assault ships of various designs, WWII Escort carriers nor sea plane carriers and tenders. Many ships have been converted to carriers and this timeline will only include them from the date their conversion commenced, or they were redesignated as carriers. Carriers which are subsequently re-designated to another role are, however, continued to be tracked to their final disposal.

=About this timeline=

This timeline is an attempt to provide a unified chronology of key dates in carrier service. For most carriers, the dates listed are those when the carrier was laid down, launched, commissioned, decommissioned and disposed of. If the carrier was a conversion from another ship, then the first date is when she was taken in hand to be converted--however, if a carrier was subsequently redesignated, its history is followed until disposal. The first time a ship is named in the list it is linked to the relevant page within Wikipedia; if the ship was renamed, the first instance of the new name is also linked. Additionally, key relevant historical dates are interspersed with the ship related dates to provide context.

The timeline is mainly divided into decades, the exceptions being the two World Wars which are each treated as their own block. For the purposes of this list, the First World War is considered to have started in 28 June 1914 and ended 11 November 1918, while the Second World War is considered to have started on 1 September 1939 and ended 14 August 1945.

Force strength figures (in green) for each country are provided as calculated running totals from the timeline, showing the number of carriers in commission at the end of each year. Where carriers were reassigned to other roles (eg LPH), although their history continues to be tracked in the timeline, they are not counted in the force strength figures.

=The Timeline=

Pre-Carrier History

1907
*The British Admiralty, according to legend, politely refused the Wright brothers' offer to sell them one or more aircraft, by saying that "they could see no place for aviation in naval circles"Australian Naval Aviation Museum (1998), p.2]

1910
*14 November - First successful launch of an aircraft from a ship, using a temporary wooden platform on cruiser USS|Birmingham|CL-2|6"The early years", USN official web site]

1911
*18 January - First deck landing, using a temporary wooden platform on USS|Pennsylvania|ACR-4|6, first use of tailhook arrested landing system

1912
*January - First launch of an aircraft from a British ship, HMS|Africa|1905|6Sturtivant (1990), p.8]
*2 May - First recorded flight from a moving ship HMS|Hibernia|1905|6 steaming at 10.5 knotsSturtivant (1990), p.215]

World War I

1914
* 28 June - Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand World War I begins
*25 December - Attack on Cuxhaven, the first Naval attack upon a land target using aircraft

1915
*12 August - First attack using an air launched torpedo, from a Short Type 184 seaplane
*5 November - First aircraft catapult launched from a ship USS|North Carolina|ACR-12|6H. M. Friedman and A. K. Friedman (2006)]

1916
*August - Incomplete Italian liner "Conte Rosso" purchased by Royal Navy for completion and conversion to aircraft carrier HMS|Argus|I49|6"World Aircraft Carriers List: RN Developmental & Experimental Carriers", Haze Gray & Underway]

1917
* Incomplete Chilean battle ship "Almirante Cochrane" purchased by Royal Navy to be completed as carrier HMS|Eagle|1918|6
*February - Incomplete large light cruiser HMS|Furious|47|6 has forward gun replaced with a flying off deck"HMS Furious 1917", RN official web site]
*2 August - First aircraft landing aboard a moving ship, HMS "Furious", ship subsequently modified with a stern mounted landing deck in late 1917
*2 December - HMS "Argus" launched

::UK - 1

1918
*January - HMS|Hermes|95|6 laid down (first ship designed as carrier & first carrier with an island superstructure)
*8 June - HMS "Eagle" launched
*16 September - HMS "Argus" commissioned
*11 November - Armistice signed, WW-I ends

::UK - 2

Between the wars

1919
*HMS "Hermes" launched
*16 December - "Hōshō" laid down as tanker "Hiryu""World Aircraft Carriers List: Japanese Aircraft Carriers", Haze Gray & Underway]

::UK - 2

1920
*"Hiryu" renamed "Hōshō"
*24 March - USS|Jupiter|AC-3|6 carrier conversion started
*11 April - USS "Jupiter" renamed USS|Langley|CV-1|6
*1 November - US navy sinks the USS Indiana during testing excercise using arial bombardment
*6 December - "Akagi" laid down

::UK - 2

1921
*13 October - "Hōshō" redesignated as carrier
*13 November - "Hōshō" launched

::UK - 2

1922
*6 February - Washington Naval Treaty limiting naval forces
*HMS "Furious" flush deck conversion started
*20 March - USS "Langley" commissioned
*1 July - USS|Lexington|CV-2|6 & USS|Saratoga|CV-3|6 (battle cruisers) reclassified to be completed as carriers
*27 December - "Hōshō" commissioned

::UK - 2, USA - 1, Japan - 1

1923
*HMS "Hermes" commissioned
*French Normandie class battleship "Béarn" carrier conversion started
*"Kaga" carrier conversion started

::UK - 3, USA - 1, Japan - 1

1924
*February - Light cruiser HMS|Glorious|77|6 carrier conversion started
*28 February - HMS "Eagle" commissioned
*June - Light cruiser HMS|Courageous|50|6 carrier conversion started

::UK - 4, USA - 1, Japan - 1

1925
*7 April - USS "Saratoga" launched
*22 April - "Akagi" launched
*September - HMS "Furious" re-enters service with flush flight deck
*3 October - USS "Lexington" launched

::UK - 4, USA - 1, Japan - 1

1926
*6 May - First night deck landing, aboard HMS|Furious|47|6Sturtivant (1990), p12]

::UK - 4, USA - 1, Japan - 1

1927
*"Béarn" carrier conversion completed
*27 March "Akagi" commissioned
*May - "Béarn" commissioned
*16 November - USS "Saratoga" commissioned
*14 December - USS "Lexington" commissioned

::UK - 4, USA - 3, Japan - 2, France - 1

1928
*May - HMS "Courageous" recommissioned as aircraft carrier and as first carrier to be fitted with transverse arrestor gear (friction based)Sturtivant (1990), p.14]
*21 March - "Kaga" commissioned

::UK - 5, USA - 3, Japan - 2, France - 1

1929
*29 November - "Ryūjō" laid down

::UK - 5, USA - 3, Japan - 3, France - 1

1930
*March - HMS "Glorious" recommissioned as aircraft carrier
*April - HMS "Argus"" placed in reserve

::UK - 6, USA - 3, Japan - 3, France - 1

1931
*2 January - First carrier fitted with hydraulic arresting gear - HMS "Courageous"
*2 April - "Ryūjō" launched
*26 September - USS|Ranger|CV-4|6 laid down

::UK - 6, USA - 3, Japan - 3, France - 1

1933
*25 February - USS "Ranger" launched
*9 May - "Ryūjō" commissioned

::UK - 6, USA - 3, Japan - 4, France - 1

1934
*31 May - USS|Yorktown|CV-5|6 laid down
*4 June - USS "Ranger" commissioned
*16 July - USS|Enterprise|CV-6|6 laid down
*20 November - "Sōryū" laid down

::UK - 6, USA - 4, Japan - 4, France - 1

1935
*19 September - HMS|Ark Royal|91|6 laid down
*23 December - "Sōryū" launched

::UK - 6, USA - 4, Japan - 4, France - 1

1936
*January 15 - Japan exits Washington Naval Treaty
*1 April - USS|Wasp|CV-7|6 laid down
*4 April - USS "Yorktown" launched
*8 July - "Hiryū" laid down
*3 October - USS "Enterprise" launched
*25 October - USS "Langley" taken in hand for conversion to seaplane tender
*28 December - Flugzeugträger A ("Graf Zeppelin") laid down

::UK - 6, USA - 4, Japan - 4, France - 1

1937
*13 April - HMS "Ark Royal" launched
*27 April - HMS|Illustrious|87|6 laid down
*4 May - HMS|Victorious|R38|6 laid down
*17 June - HMS|Formidable|67|6 laid down
*30 September - USS "Yorktown" commissioned
*10 November - HMS|Indomitable|92|6 laid down
*16 November - "Hiryū" launched
*12 December - "Shōkaku" laid down
*29 December - "Sōryū" commissioned

::UK - 6, USA - 5, Japan - 5, France - 1

1938
*Flugzeugträger B laid down
*12 May - USS "Enterprise" commissioned
*25 May - "Zuikaku" laid down
*30 July - HMS "Argus" recommissioned after extensive re-fit
*8 December - "Graf Zeppelin" launched
*16 December - HMS "Ark Royal" commissioned (first carrier with deck armour)

::UK - 7, USA - 6, Japan - 5, France - 1

1939
*21 February - HMS|Implacable|R86|6 laid down
*4 April - USS "Wasp" launched
*5 April - HMS "Illustrious" launched
*1 June - "Shōkaku" launched
*26 June - HMS|Unicorn|I72|6 laid down
*5 July - "Hiryū" commissioned
*17 August - HMS "Formidable" launched

::UK - 7, USA - 6, Japan - 6, France - 1

World War II

1939
*1 September - Germany invades Poland World War II begins
*14 September - HMS "Victorious" launched
*17 September - HMS "Courageous" sunk in action
*25 September - USS|Hornet|CV-8|6 laid down
*27 November - "Zuikaku" launched
*14 September - HMS "Victorious" launched
*3 November - HMS|Indefatigable|R10|6 laid down

::UK - 6 (1 sunk)::USA - 6::Japan - 6::France - 1

1940
*Flugzeugträger B cancelled while under construction
*"Idzumo Maru" carrier conversion started, renamed "Hiyō"
*"Kashiwara Maru" carrier conversion started, renamed "Junyō"
*January - "Takasaki " carrier conversion started
*26 March - HMS "Indomitable" launched
*25 April - USS "Wasp" commissioned
*25 May - HMS "Illustrious" commissioned (first fully armoured carrier)
*June - "Bearne" interned at Martinique
*8 June - HMS "Glorious" sunk in action
*24 November - HMS "Formidable" commissioned
*25 June - France falls to Germany
*11 November - Battle of Taranto first carrier based torpedo-bomber attack
*14 December - USS "Hornet" launched
*27 December - "Takasaki" carrier conversion completed, commissioned as "Zuihō"

::UK - 7 (2 commissioned, 1 sunk)::USA - 7 (1 commissioned)::Japan - 6::France - 1 (interned)

1941
*Submarine tender "Tsurugisaki" carrier conversion started
*28 April - USS|Essex|CV-9|6 laid down
*1 May - USS|Independence|CVL-22|6 laid down as light cruiser USS|Amsterdam|CL-59|6, converted to CV during construction, "Kasuga Maru" carrier conversion started
*26 May - German battleship Bismarck disabled by aircraft launched from HMS|Ark Royal|91|6 and later sunk
*14 May - HMS "Victorious" commissioned
*20 May - Merchantmen "Rio Hudson", "Rio Parana", "Rio de Janeiro" and "Rio De La Plata" acquired prior to completion by USN for conversion to "Avenger" class escort carriers
*24 June - "Hiyō" launched
*26 June - "Junyō" launched
*10 July - "Taihō" laid down
*15 july - USS "Cabot" laid down
*8 August - "Shōkaku" commissioned
*2 September - "Kasuga Maru" carrier conversion completed
*15 September - USS|Bunker Hill|CV-17|6 laid down
*25 September - "Zuikaku" commissioned
*October - "Yawata Maru" carrier conversion started
*10 October - HMS "Indomitable" commissioned
*20 October - USS "Hornet" commissioned
*14 November - HMS "Ark Royal" sunk in action
*17 November - USS|Cowpens|CVL-25|6 laid down
*20 November - HMS "Unicorn" launched
*30 November - "Tsurugisaki" carrier conversion completed, commissioned as "Shōhō"
*1 December - USS|Yorktown|CV-10|6, USS|Intrepid|CV-11|6 laid down
*7 December - Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor naval base Hawaii and Phillipines
*20 December - Submarine tender "Taigei" carrier conversion started

::UK - 8 (2 commissioned, 1 sunk)::USA - 8 (1 commissioned)::Japan - 11 (5 commissioned)::France - 1 (interned)

1942
* February - SS|Scharnhorst|1934|6 carrier conversion started by Japan
*16 February - USS|Tallahassee|CL-61|6, USS|New Haven|CL-76|6 (light cruisers) reclassified for completion as CV"DANFS: Belleau Wood", United States Navy]
*27 February - USS "Langley" sunk in action
*16 March - USS "Wilmington" laid down
*18 March - USS "Oriskany" laid down
*27 march - USS|Dayton|CL-78|6 (light cruiser) reclassified for completion as CV
*31 March - USS "Tallahassee" renamed USS|Princeton|CVL-23|6, USS "New Haven" renamed USS|Belleau Wood|CVL-24|6, USS "Dayton" renamed USS|Monterey|CVL-26|6
*9 April - HMS "Hermes" sunk in action
*11 April - USS|Fargo|CL-85|6 while originally intended as a light cruiser, laid down as carrier"World Aircraft Carriers List: US Light Fleet Carriers, WWII Era", Haze Gray & Underway]
*May - "Bearne" demilitarised
*1 May - ex "Rio Parana" commissioned as Escort carrier HMS|Biter|D97|6"World Aircraft Carriers List: RN Escort Carriers", Haze Gray & Underway]
*3 May - "Junyō" commissioned
*7 May - "Shōhō" sunk in action
*8 May - USS "Lexington" sunk in action
*31 May - "Yawata Maru" carrier conversion completed
*June - Incomplete "Yamato" class battleship "Shinano" carrier conversion started
*1 June - HMS|Colossus|R15|6 laid down
*4 June - "Akagi", "Hiryū", "Kaga", "Sōryū" severely damaged in action, "Kaga", "Sōryū" subsequently scuttled
*5 June = "Akagi", "Hiryū" scuttled
*7 June - USS "Yorktown" sunk in action
*16 June - USS "Cabot" renamed USS|Lexington|CV-16|6
*23 June - USS "Wilmington" renamed USS|Cabot|CVL-28|6
*1 July - "Nitta Maru" carrier conversion started
*31 July - "Hiyō" commissioned, "Yawata Maru" renamed "Unyō", USS "Essex" launched
*1 August - "Unryū" laid down
*3 August - USS "Kearsarge" laid down
*11 August - HMS "Eagle" sunk in action
*22 August - USS "Independence" launched
*24 August - "Ryūjō" sunk in action
*31 August - USS|Bataan|CVL-29|6 laid down, "Kasuga Maru" reclassified as warship, commissioned as "Taiyō""", "Unyō" commissioned
*15 September - USS "Wasp" sunk in action
*23 September - USS "Lexington" launched
*1 October - "Amagi" laid down
*18 October - USS "Princeton" launched
*24 October - HMS|Audacious|1943|6 laid down
*26 October - USS "Reprisal" laid down
*27 October - USS "Hornet" sunk in action, USS "Kearsarge" subsequently renamed USS|Hornet|CV-12|6
*8 November - HMS|Glory|R62|6 laid down
*8 November – HMS|Ocean|R68|6 laid down
*12 November – HMS|Vengeance|R71|6 laid down"HMAS Vengeance", Sea power Centre]
*13 November - USS "Fargo" renamed USS "Crown Point", USS "Oriskany" renamed USS|Wasp|CV-18|6
*25 November - "Nitta Maru" carrier conversion completed, renamed and commissioned as "Chūyō"
*30 November - "Taigei" carrier conversion completed, renamed and commissioned as "Ryūhō"
*2 December – HMS|Pioneer|R76|6 laid down
*3 December – HMS|Venerable|R63|6 laid down
*6 December - USS "Belleau Wood" launched
*7 December - USS|Franklin|CV-13|6 laid down, USS "Bunker Hill" launched
*8 December - "Katsuragi" laid down, HMS "Indefatigable" launched
*10 December - HMS "Implacable" launched, "Argentina Maru" carrier conversion started
*12 December – HMS|Warrior|R31|6 laid down"World Aircraft Carriers List: RN Light Fleet Carriers", Haze Gray & Underway]
*15 December - USS|Bennington|CV-20|6 laid down
*31 December - USS "Essex" commissioned

::UK - 6 (2 sunk)::USA - 4 (1 commissioned, 5 sunk);:Japan - 10 (5 commissioned, 6 sunk)::France - 1 (interned)

1943

*"Graf Zeppelin" construction stopped
*HMS|Theseus|R64|6 laid down
*1 January – HMS|Perseus|R51|6 laid down
*14 January - USS "Independence" commissioned
*15 January - USS|Shangri-La|CV-38|6 laid down
*17 January - USS "Cowpens" launched
*21 January - USS "Yorktown" launched
*26 January - "Chitose" carrier conversion started, USS "Ticonderoga" laid down
*27 January – HMS|Triumph|R16|6 laid down
*30 January - USS "Reprisal" renamed USS|San Jacinto|CVL-30|6
* February - SS "Scharnhorst" acquired to be completed as "Shinyo"
*1 February - USS "Hancock", USS|Bon Homme Richard|CV-31|6 laid down
*17 February - USS "Lexington" commissioned
*25 February - USS "Princeton" commissioned
*28 February - USS "Monterey" launched
*March - "Chiyoda" carrier conversion started
*12 March - HMS "Unicorn" commissioned
*15 March - USS|Antietam|CV-36|6, USS|Lake Champlain|CV-39|6 laid down
*31 March - USS "Belleau Wood" commissioned
*4 April - USS "Cabot" launched
*7 April - "Taihō" launched
*15 April – HMS|Majestic|R77|6 laid downHall (1982), p.69] , USS "Yorktown" commissioned
*19 April – HMS|Terrible|R93|6 laid down"HMAS Sydney (III)", Sea power Centre]
*26 April - "USS "Intrepid" launched
*1 May - USS "Hancock" launched and renamed USS|Ticonderoga|CV-14|6, USS "Ticonderoga" renamed USS|Hancock|CV-19|6
*3 May - HMS|Irresistible|1943|6 laid down
*10 May - USS|Randolph|CV-15|6 laid down
*13 May - USS "Crown Point" renamed USS|Langley|CVL-27|6
*22 May - USS "Langley" launched
*24 May - USS "Bunker Hill" commissioned
*28 May - USS "Cowpens" commissioned
*17 June - USS "Monterey" commissioned
*30 June - "Bearne transferred to the Free French forces
*24 July - USS "Cabot" commissioned
*29 July – HMS "Magnificent" laid down"A-Z list of the Aircraft Carriers" (HMS Magnificent), fleetairarmarchive.net]
*1 August - USS "Bataan" launched
*16 August - USS "Intrepid" commissioned
*17 August - USS "Wasp" launched
*30 August - USS "Hornet" launched
*31 August - USS "Langley" commissioned
*13 September - USS|Boxer|CV-21|6 laid down
*14 September - USS "Valley Forge" (CV-37) laid down
*25 September - "Unryū" launched
*26 September - USS "San Jacinto" launched
*30 September - HMS "Colossus" launched
*14 October - USS "Franklin" launched
*15 October - "Amagi" launched
*18 October – HMS|Leviathan|R97|6 laid down
*22 October - USS|Midway|CV-41|6 laid down
*1 November - "Chitose" recommissioned
*12 November – HMS|Hercules|R49|6 laid down
*15 November - ex SS "Scharnhorst" commissioned as "Shinyo" , USS "San Jacinto" commissioned
*17 November - USS "Bataan" commissioned
*23 November - "Argentina Maru" carrier conversion completed, commissioned as "Kaiyo"
*24 November - USS "Wasp" commissioned
*27 November - HMS "Glory" launched, HMS|Powerful|R95|6 laid down"A-Z list of the Aircraft Carriers" (HMS Powerful), fleetairarmarchive.net]
*29 November - "USS Hornet" commissioned
*1 December - USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42|6 laid down
*4 December - "Chūyō" sunk in action
*21 December - "Chiyoda" carrier conversion completed, recommissioned
*30 December – HMS "Venerable" launched

::UK - 7 (1 commissioned)::USA - 19 (15 commissioned)::Japan - 14 (5 commissioned, 1 sunk)::Free France - 1

1944
*1 January - "Chitose" carrier conversion completed, commissioned
*19 January - "Katsuragi" launched
*24 January - USS "Hancock" launched
*31 January - USS "Franklin" commissioned
*21 February - USS "Crown Point" laid down
*23 February – HMS "Vengeance" launched
*24 February - USS "Shangri-La" launched
*28 February - USS "Bennington" launched
*1 March - USS|Kearsarge|CV-33|6, USS|Tarawa|CV-40|6 laid down
*2 March – HMS "Perseus" launched
*7 March - "Taihō" commissioned
*29 March - HMS|Albion|R07|6 laid down
*15 April - USS "Hancock" commissioned
*29 April - USS "Bon Homme Richard" launched
*1 May - USS|Oriskany|CV-34|6 laid down
*3 May - HMS "Indefatigable" commissioned
*8 May - USS "Ticonderoga" commissioned
*20 May – HM Ships "Pioneer" & "Warrior" launched
*19 June - "Shōkaku", "Taihō" sunk in action
*20 June - "Hiyō" sunk in action
*21 June - HMS|Elephant|1944|6 laid down (construction suspended at end of WWII)
*28 June - USS "Randolph" launched
*1 July - USS|Reprisal|CV-35|6 laid down
*6 July – HMS "Theseus" launched
*8 July – HMS "Ocean", USS "Valley Forge" (CV-37) launched
*10 July - USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|6, USS|Saipan|CVL-48|6 laid down
*August - HMS "Argus" taken out out service and hulked as an accomodation ship
*6 August - "Unryū", USS "Bennington" commissioned
*10 August - "Amagi" commissioned
*18 August - "Taiyō" sunk in action
*19 August - USS|Philippine Sea|CV-47|6 laid down
*21 August - USS|Wright|CVL-49|6 laid down
*28 August - HMS "Implacable" commissioned
*30 August - USS "Antietam" launched
*September - HMS "Furious" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*7 September - USS|Valley Forge|CV-45 laid down
*15 September - USS "Shangri-La" commissioned
*17 September - "Unyō" sunk in action
*30 September – HMS "Terrible" launched
*2 October – HMS "Triumph" launched
*5 October - "Shinano" launched
*9 October - USS "Randolph" commissioned
*15 october - "Katsuragi" commissioned
*24 October - USS "Princeton" sunk in action
*25 October - "Chitose", "Chiyoda", "Zuihō", "Zuikaku" sunk in action
*2 November - USS "Lake Champlain" launched
*16 November – HMS "Magnificent" launched
*17 November - "Shinyo" sunk in action
*18 November - USS "Valley Forge" (CV-45) launched
*19 November - "Shinano" commissioned
*21 November - USS "Valley Forge" (CV-37) renamed USS|Princeton|CV-37|6
*26 November - USS "Bon Homme Richard" commissioned
*29 November - "Shinano" sunk in action
*December - HMS "Argus" decommissioned
*1 December - HMS "Colossus" commissioned"World Aircraft Carriers List: France", Haze Gray & Underway]
*14 December - USS "Boxer" launched
*19 December - "Unryū" sunk in action

::UK - 8 (3 commissioned, 2 decommissioned)::USA - 25 (7 commissioned, 1 sunk)::Japan - 6 (4 commissioned, 11 sunk)::Free France - 1

1945
*15 January – HMS "Vengeance" commissioned
*28 January - USS "Antietam" commissioned
*8 February – HMS "Pioneer" commissioned
*27 February – HMS "Powerful" launched (construction suspended at end of WWII)
*28 February – HMS "Majestic" launched
*17 January – HMS "Venerable" commissioned
*20 March - USS "Midway" launched
*April - "Ryūhō" decommissioned
*2 April - HM Ships "Glory" & "Warrior" commissioned
*9 April - "HMS Biter" returned to US Navy, immediately transferred to France, recommissioned as "Dixmude"
*16 April - USS "Boxer" commissioned
*25 April - "Graf Zeppelin" scuttled by Germany
*29 April - USS "Franklin D. Roosevelt" launched
*5 May - USS "Kearsarge" launched
*7 May - Nazi Germany Surrenders
*8 May - USS "Crown Point" renamed USS|Leyte|CV-32|6
*12 May - USS "Tarawa" launched
*10 May - HMS|Bulwark|R08|6 laid down
*3 June - USS "Lake Champlain" commissioned
*7 June – HMS "Leviathan" launched (ship never completed)
*30 June – HMS "Ocean" commissioned
*8 July - USS "Princeton", USS "Saipan" launched
*24 July - "Amagi" heavily damaged during air raid"KIDO BUTAI!", Combinedfleet.com]
*25 july - "Kaiyo", having been damaged in action the previous day, is deliberately grounded and later refloated
*28 July - "Kaiyo" further damaged in action, settles on bottom with 20 degree list to port
*29 July - attempts to refloat "Kaiyo" abandoned
*29 July - "Amagi" capsized
*6 August - US nuclear strike on Hiroshima
*9 August - Last of caretaker crew leave "Kaiyo", US nuclear strike on Nagasaki
*12 August - USS "Reprisal" canceled
*15 August - Japan surrenders WW-II ends

::UK - 14 (6 commissioned)::USA - 28 (3 commissioned)::Japan - 4 (1 sunk, 1 decommissioned)::France - 2

Post war 1940s

"1945"
*23 August - USS "Leyte" launched
*1 September - USS "Wright" launched
*5 September - USS "Philippine Sea" launched
*10 September - USS "Midway" commissioned
*22 September - HMS "Hercules" launched, laid up for possible future use
*13 October - USS "Oriskany" launched, "Katsuragi" assigned to repatriation duty
*19 October – HMS "Perseus" commissioned
*27 October - USS "Franklin D. Roosevelt" commissioned
*November - HMS "Elephant" renamed HMS|Hermes|R12|6
*18 November - USS "Princeton" commissioned
*20 November - "Kaiyo" decommissioned
*30 November - "Junyō", "Ryūhō" decommissioned
*3 December - First landing by a jet powered aircraft on a carrier - on HMS|Ocean|R68|6Sturtivant (1990), p.216]
*8 December - USS "Tarawa" commissioned

::UK - 15, USA - 31, Japan - 2, France - 2

1946
*HMS "Theseus" commissioned
*"Ryūhō" sold for scrap
*USS "Reprisal" (incomplete) launched to clear slipway
*January - HMS "Unicorn" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*24 January - HMS "Warrior" commissioned as HMCS "Warrior"
*March - "Graf Zeppelin" refloated by Soviet Union, repaired and designated "PO-101" (Floating Base Number 101)
*19 March - HMS "Audacious" launched and renamed HMS|Eagle|R05|6
*April - "Katsuragi" placed on standby
*2 April - USS "Coral Sea" launched
*11 April - USS "Leyte" commissioned
*2 May - USS "Kearsarge" commissioned
*6 May – HMS "Triumph" commissioned
*11 May - USS "Philippine Sea" commissioned
*14 July - USS "Saipan" commissioned
*21 July - FH Phantom first purely jet-powered aircraft to operate from an American aircraft carrier
*23 July - HMS "Colossus" decommissioned
*25 July - USS "Saratoga" sunk by underwater atomic bomb test
*6 August - HMS "Colossus" renamed "Arromanches" and loaned to France
*16 August - "Hōshō" decommissioned
*28 August - USS "Independence" decommissioned
*1 September - "Kaiyo" sold for scrap
*18 October - USS "Ranger" decommissioned
*3 November - USS "Valley Forge" commissioned
*8 November - USS "Bennington" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*15 November - "Katsuragi" decommissioned
*December - HMS "Indefatigable" decommissioned
*5 December - HMS "Argus" sold for scrap
*19 December - First Indochina War begins
*22 December - "Katsuragi" sold for scrap

::UK - 13, USA - 33, France - 3, Canada - 1

1947
*HMS "Indomitable" placed in reserve
*HMS "Formidable" decommissioned
*HM Ships "Majestic" & "Terrible" purchased by Australia
*"Junyō" sold for scrap
*January - USS "Bon Homme Richard" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*8 January - USS "Ticonderoga" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*9 January - USS "Essex", USS "Yorktown", USS "Bunker Hill" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*13 January - USS "Belleau Wood", USS "Cowpens" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*15 January "USS Hornet" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*28 January - USS "Ranger" sold for scrap
*11 February - USS "Cabot", USS "Monterey", USS "Langley", USS "Bataan" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*17 February - USS "Enterprise", USS "Franklin", USS "Wasp" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*27 February - USS "Wright" commissioned
*1 March - USS "San Jacinto" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*22 March - USS "Intrepid" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*30 March – HMS "Venerable" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*23 April - USS "Lexington" decommissioned
*30 April - "Hōshō" sold for scrap
*9 May - USS "Hancock" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*16 May - HMS "Albion" launched
*16 August - "Graf Zeppelin" sunk as target practice
*1 October - USS "Coral Sea" commissioned
*27 October - USS "Cabot" recommissioned
*7 November - USS "Shangri-La" decommissioned, placed in reserve

::UK - 10, USA - 17, France - 3, Canada - 1

1948
*25 February - USS "Randolph" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*15 March - HMS "Furious" sold for scrap
*21 March – HMS "Magnificent" loaned to Canada and commissioned as HMCS|Magnificent|CVL 21|6
*23 March – HMS "Warrior" returned to U.K.
*1 April - HMS "Venerable" sold to Netherlands
*20 May – HMS "Venerable" recommissioned as HNLMS "Karel Doorman""World Aircraft Carriers List: Netherlands", Haze Gray & Underway]
*22 June - HMS "Bulwark" launched
*24 June - Soviet blockade of Berlin increasing tensions in what would become the Cold War between NATO allied nations and the Warsaw Pact
*November - HMS "Warrior" recommissioned, fitted with rubber deck for trials
*16 December – HMS "Terrible" commissioned as HMAS|Sydney|R17|6

::UK - 11, USA - 16, France - 3, Canada - 1, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 1

1949
*HMS "Unicorn" recommissioned
*"Dixmude" converted for use as a transport
*18 April - USS|United States|CVA-58|6 laid down
*4 April - NATO alliance formed
*23 April - USS "United States" cancelled
*30 June - USS "Tarawa" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*September - HMS "Warrior decommissioned, placed in reserve
*2 August - USS "Reprisal" (incomplete) sold for scrap

::UK - 12, USA - 15, France - 2, Canada - 1, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 1

1950s

1950
*HM Ships "Indomitable" & "Indefatigable" recommissioned
*3 May - HMS "Irresistible" launched, renamed HMS|Ark Royal|R09|6
*13 May - USS "Bataan" recommissioned
*June - HMS "Warrior" recommissioned as troop & aircraft transport between UK & Korea
*16 June - USS "Kearsarge" decommissioned, taken in hand for modernization
*25 June - Korean War begins
*15 September - USS "Monterey" recommissioned
*25 eptember - USS "Oriskany" commissioned

::UK - 14, USA - 17, France - 2, Canada - 1, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 1

1951
*"Aromanches" purchased by France
*January - USS "Bon Homme Richard" recommissioned
*8 January - USS "Langley" loaned to France
*15 January - USS "Essex" recommissioned
*29 January - USS "Independence" scuttled
*3 February - USS "Tarawa" recommissioned
*20 March - "USS Hornet" recommissioned
*10 May - USS "Shangri-La" recommissioned
*12 May - "USS Hornet" decommissioned for conversion to CVA
*2 June - USS "Langley" recommissioned as "La Fayette"
*July - First trials of steam catapault, in HMS|Perseus|R51|6Sturtivant (1990), p.178]
*10 September - USS "Wasp" recommissioned as CVA
*5 October - HMS "Eagle" commissioned

::UK - 15, USA - 22, France - 3, Canada - 1, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 1

1952
*First trial of angled flight deck, on HMS|Triumph|R16|6
*First trial of mirror landing aid, on HMS|Illustrious|87|6Sturtivant (1990), p.179]
*9 February - USS "Intrepid" recommissioned
*15 February - USS "Kearsarge" recommissioned
*31 January - USS "Ticonderoga" recommissioned
*4 April - USS "Ticonderoga" decommissioned for conversion to CVA
*9 April - USS "Intrepid" decommissioned for conversion to CVA
*23 April – HMS "Powerful" sold to Canada, work recommenced
*14 July - USS|Forrestal|CV-59|6 laid down
*October - USS "Boxer" reclassified CVA
*13 November - HMS "Vengeance" loaned to Australia, recommissioned as HMAS "Vengeance",USS "Bennington" recommissioned as CVA
*14 November - USS "Shangri-La" decommissioned for modernization
*16 December - USS|Saratoga|CV-60|6 laid down

::UK - 14, USA - 22, France - 3, Canada - 1, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 2

1953
*HMS "Indomitable" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*2 January - USS "Yorktown" recommissioned
*16 February - HMS "Hermes" launched
*May - USS "Bon Homme Richard" decommissioned, commenced extensive refit
*1 July - USS "Randolph" recommissioned
*27 July - Korean War fighting ends with cease fire agreement
*5 September - USS "Belleau Wood" loaned to France
*9 September - USS "Belleau Wood" recommissioned as "Bois Belleau"
*11 September - "USS Hornet" recommissioned
*October - HMS "Unicorn" decommissioned, placed in reserve

::UK - 12, USA - 24, France - 4, Canada - 1, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 2

1954
*HMS "Indefatigable" decommissioned
*15 February - USS "Hancock" recommissioned as CVA
*9 April - USS "Bataan" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*26 May - HMS "Albion" commissioned
*18 June - USS "Intrepid" recommissioned in reserve
*1 August - First Indochina War ends
*2 August - USS|Ranger|CV-61|6 laid down
*September - HMS "Pioneer" decommissioned & sold for scrap
*1 September - HMS "Implacable" decommissioned
*11 September - USS "Ticonderoga" recommissioned
*15 October - USS "Intrepid" returned to full commission
*4 November - HMS "Bulwark" commissioned
*December - HMS "Illustrious" decommissioned
*11 December - USS "Forrestal" launched

::UK - 10, USA - 26, France - 4, Canada - 1, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 2

1955
*HMS "Indomitable" sold for scrap
*HMS "Implacable" sold for scrap
*USS "Midway" decommissioned for modernization
*10 January - USS "Shangri-La" recommissioned
*21 January - USS "Cabot" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*25 February - HMS "Ark Royal" commissioned
*14 May - Warsaw Pact formed
*7 July - USS|Independence|CV-62|6 laid down
*12 August – HMS "Vengeance" returned to U.K.
*15 August - USS "Lexington" recommissioned as CVA
*September - USS "Bon Homme Richard" recommissioned
*1 October - USS "Forrestal" commissioned
*8 October - USS "Saratoga" launched
*25 October – HMAS "Vengeance" decommissioned
*26 October – HMS "Majestic" christened as HMAS "Majestic"Cassells (2000), p.84]
*28 October – HMAS "Majestic" renamed and commissioned as HMAS|Melbourne|R21|6"HMAS Melbourne (II)", Sea power Centre] , HMS "Vengeance recommissioned in reserve
*November - "Clemenceau" (France) laid down
*15 November - USS "Boxer" reclassified as CVS

::UK - 11, USA - 28, France - 4, Canada - 1, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 2

1956
*HM Ships "Formidable" & "Indefatigable" sold for scrap
*HMS "Glory" decommissioned
*HMCS "Magnificent" decommissioned
*"Dixmude" hulked as an accommodation ship
*16 January - USS "Monterey" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*15 March - USS "Wright" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*13 April - USS "Hancock" decommissioned
*14 April - USS "Saratoga" commissioned
*26 September - USS "Ranger" launched
*29 October - Suez Crisis begins
*1 November - USS "Wasp" reclassified CVS
*3 November - HMS "Illustrious" sold for scrap
*15 November - USS "Hancock" recommissioned
*14 December – HMS "Vengeance" sold to Brazil and recommissioned as NAeL "Minas Gerais"
*27 December - USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6 laid down

::UK - 10, USA - 27, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Australia - 2

1957
*HMS "Ocean" decommissioned
*HMS "Perseus" decommissioned
*HMS "Theseus" decommissioned
*January – HMS "Hercules" sold to India, construction restarted
*2 January - USS "Oriskany" decommissiond, started modernisation
*17 January – HMS "Powerful" commissioned as HMCS|Bonaventure|CVL 22|6
*March - HMS "Unicorn" reduced to extended reserve
*25 May - USS "Coral Sea" decommissioned for modernisation
*14 June - HMS "Magnificent" returned to U.K. and placed in reserve
*10 August - USS "Ranger" commissioned
*14 September - USS|Constellation|CV-64|6 laid down
*30 September - USS "Midway" recommissioned
*3 October - USS "Saipan" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*15 November - "Foch" (France) laid down"CV FOCH (R 99)", French Fleet Air Arm]
*21 December - "Clemenceau" launched"CV CLEMENCEAU (R 98)", French Fleet Air Arm]

::UK - 7, USA - 26, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 2

1958
*HM Ships "Perseus" & "Unicorn" sold for scrap
*February – HMS "Warrior" decommissioned
*4 February - USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6 laid down
*30 May – HMAS "Sydney" decommissioned, held in reserve
*6 June - USS "Independence" launched
*1 July - USS "Enterprise" sold for scrap
*4 Juky - HMS "Warrior" sold to Argentina
*24 July - HMS "Warrior" renamed ARA "Independencia""World Aircraft Carriers List: Argentina", Haze Gray & Underway]
*28 December - USS "Philippine Sea" decommissioned, placed in reserve

::UK - 7, USA - 25, France - 5, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1

1959
*10 January - USS "Independence" commissioned
*30 January - USS "Boxer" reclassified LPH
*2 March - USS "Princeton" reclassified LPH
*7 March - USS "Oriskany" recommissioned
*15 May - USS "Leyte" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*30 June - USS "Bennington" redesignated CVS
*8 July – ARA "Independencia" commissioned
*1 November - USS "Cowpens" sold for scrap
*25 November - HMS "Hermes" commissioned

::UK - 6, USA - 24, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Argentina - 1

1960s

1960
*25 January - USS "Coral Sea" recommissioned
*13 May - USS "Tarawa" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*21 May - USS "Kitty Hawk" launched
*28 July - "Foch" launched
*September - "Bois Belleau" (USS|Belleau Wood|CVL-24|6) returned to USN
*24 September - USS "Enterprise" launched
*1 October - "Bois Belleau" struck
*8 October - USS "Constellation" launched
*21 November - USS "Belleau Wood" sold for scrap
*6 December - ex HMS "Vengeance" recommissioned as NAeL "Minas Gerais""World Aircraft Carriers List: Brazil", Haze Gray & Underway]

::UK - 7, USA - 24, France - 3, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1

1961
*HMS "Magnificent" struck
*HMS "Glory" sold for scrap
*9 January - USS|America|CV-66|6 laid down
*4 March – HMS "Hercules" commissioned as INS "Vikrant""World Aircraft Carriers List: India", Haze Gray & Underway]
*29 April - USS "Kitty Hawk" commissioned
*May - USS "Bataan" sold for scrap
*1 July - USS "Valley Forge" reclassified LPH
*27 October - USS "Constellation" commissioned
*22 November - "Clemenceau" commissioned
*25 November - USS "Enterprise" commissioned, first nuclear aircraft carrier

::UK - 7, USA - 26, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1

1962
*HMS "Ocean" sold for scrap
*HMS "Theseus" sold for scrap
*7 March – HMAS "Sydney" recommissioned as fast troop carrier
*15 March - USS "Wright" conversion to Command and Control ship started
*August - Indonesia plans invasion of West New Guinea, war plans include sinking of Dutch carrier Karel Doorman using Soviet supplied bombers with anti-ship missiles, cease fire ends threat

::UK - 7, USA - 26, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India -1

1963
*8 February - STOVL test aircraft and Pre-Harrier prototype Hawker_P.1127 operates from HMS|Ark Royal|R09|6
*15 July - "Foch" commissioned
*March - "La Fayette" (USS "Langley") returned to USN
*March - USS "Saipan" conversion to Communications Command ship started
*20 March - USS "Langley" stuck
*8 May - USS "Antietam" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*11 May - USS "Wright" recommissioned

::UK - 7, USA - 26, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1

1964
*"USS "Langley" sold for scrap
*1 February - USS "America" launched
*2 August - Gulf of Tonkin incident US greatly increases open role in Vietnam War
*1 September - USS "Saipan" reclassified as Communications Major Relay ship
*22 October - USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6 laid down

::UK - 7, USA - 26, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1

1965
*HMS "Magnificent" sold for scrap
*23 January - USS "America" commissioned
*8 April - USS "Saipan" renamed USS|Arlington|AGMR-2|6
*July - HMS "Magnificent" sold for scrap

::UK - 7, USA - 27, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1

1966
*British 1966 Defence White Paper cancels defense projects such as CVA-01 and begins plans for phased end to UK carrier aviation
*"Dixmude" returned to US Navy, sunk as target
*11 February - USS "Midway" decommissioned for further modernisation
*2 May - USS "Lake Champlain" decommissioned
*27 July - USS "Franklin" sold for scrap
*27 August - USS "Arlington" recommissioned
*"Bearne" decommissioned
*1 November - USS "Bunker Hill" struck

::UK - 7, USA - 25, France - 4, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1

1967
*USS "Cabot" loaned to Spain, renamed "Dédalo"
*31 March - "Béarn" sold for scrap
*27 May - USS "John F. Kennedy" launched

::UK - 7, USA - 25, France - 3, Netherlands - 1, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1(ASW LPH)

1968
*"Arromanches" redesignated as helicopter carrier
*26 April - HNLMS "Karel Doorman" decommissioned, placed in reserve, end of Dutch carrier aviation
*13 March - HMS "Victorious" decommissioned
*22 June - USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6 laid down
*July - USS "Franklin D. Roosevelt" decommissioned for modernisation
*7 September - USS "John F. Kennedy" commissioned
*3 October - USS "Tarawa" sold for scrap
*15 October - HNLMS "Karel Doorman" sold to Argentina

::UK - 6, USA - 25, France - 3, Canada - 1, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1(ASW LPH)

1969
*HMS "Victorious" sold for scrap
*1 January - USS "Lexington" recalssified CVT
*13 February - USS "Randolph" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*12 March - ex HNLMS "Karel Doorman" recommissioned as ARA "Veinticinco de Mayo"
*26 May - USS "Franklin D. Roosevelt" recommissioned
*30 June - USS "Essex" decommissioned
*December - USS "Boxer" decommissioned

::UK - 6, USA - 24, France - 3, Canada - 1, Australia - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1(ASW LPH)

1970s

1970
*ARA "Independencia" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*14 January - USS "Arlington" decommissioned
*15 January - USS "Bennington" decommisioned, placed in reserve, USS "Valley Forge" decommissioned
*30 January - USS "Princeton" decommissioned
*31 January - USS "Midway" recommissioned
*13 February - USS "Kearsarge" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*27 May - USS "Wright" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*26 June - "USS Hornet" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*27 June USS "Yorktown" decommissioned
*3 July – HMCS "Bonaventure" decommissioned
*21 July - "Kiev" laid down
*15 August - USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69|6 laid down
*September - USS "Leyte" sold for scrap

::UK - 6, USA - 20, France - 3, Australia - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1(ASW LPH)

1971
*February - USS "Boxer" sold for scrap
*March - USS "Philippine Sea" sold for scrap, HMCS "Bonaventure" sold for scrap"World Aircraft Carriers List: Canada", Haze Gray & Underway]
*17 March - ARA "Independencia" sold for scrap
*May - USS "Monterey", USS "Princeton" sold for scrap
*July - USS "Bon Homme Richard" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*30 July - USS "Shangri-La" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*29 October - USS "Valley Forge" sold for scrap
*3 December - Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 begins, Indian carrier INS Vikrant carries out airstrikes against land and naval targets, Pakastani submarine PNS Ghazi sent to hunt the Vikrant sinks under mysterious circumstances.
*15 December - USS "San Jacinto" sold for scrap

::UK - 6, USA - 18, France - 3, Australia - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India -1, Spain - 1(ASW LPH)

1972
*Loan of "Dédalo" (ex USS|Cabot|CVL-28|6) to Spain converted to sale
*"Minsk" laid down
*January - HMS "Eagle" decommissioned
*26 April - USS "Lake Champlain" sold for scrap
*13 May - USS "Nimitz" launched
*1 July - USS "Wasp" decommissioned
*24 November - HMS "Albion" decommissioned
*26 December - "Kiev" launched

::UK - 4, USA - 17, France - 3, Australia - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1(ASW LPH)

1973
*27 January - Paris Peace Accords US forces withdraw from Vietnam War
*HMS "Albion" sold for scrap
*USS "Bunker Hill" sold for scrap
*21 May - USS "Wasp" sold for scrap
*July - HMS|Invincible|R05|6 laid down
*1 September - USS "Ticonderoga" decommissioned
*12 November - HMAS Sydney decommissioned

::UK - 4, USA - 16, France - 3, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India, Spain - 1(ASW LPH)

1974
*22 January – "Arromanches" decommissioned
*February - USS "Kearsarge" sold for scrap
*28 February - USS "Antietam" sold for scrap
*15 March - USS "Intrepid" decommissioned

::UK - 4, USA - 15, France - 2, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1(ASW LPH)

1975
*HMS "Triumph" decommissioned
*May - USS "Randolph" sold for scrap
*3 May - USS "Nimitz" commissioned
*1 June - USS "Essex" sold for scrap
*1 September - USS "Ticonderoga" sold for scrap
*30 September - "Minsk" launched, "Novorossiysk" laid down
*11 October - USS "Dwight D. Eisenhower" launched, USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70|6 laid down
*13 October - USS "Yorktown" preserved as museum ship
*28 October – HMAS "Sydney" sold for scrap
*28 December - "Kiev" commissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 16, France - 2, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1(ASW LPH), USSR - 1

1976
*13 January - USS "Hancock" decommissioned
*March - HMS "Bulwark" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*1 June - USS "Arlington" sold for scrap
*1 September - USS "Hancock" sold for scrap
*September STOVL Harriers equip Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo returning her to fixed wing carrier operations, first STOVL aircraft carrier
*30 September - USS "Oriskany" decommissioned, placed in reserve
*7 October - HMS|Illustrious|R06|6 laid down

::UK - 2, USA - 14, France - 2, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India, Spain - 1, USSR - 1

1977
*3 May - HMS "Invincible" launched
*30 September - USS "Franklin D. Roosevelt" decommissioned
*18 October - USS "Dwight D. Eisenhower" commisioned

::UK - 2, USA - 14, France - 2, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 1

1978
*HMS "Eagle" sold for scrap
*"Arromanches" sold for scrap
*1 April - USS "Franklin D. Roosevelt" sold for scrap
*27 September - "Minsk" commissioned
*December "Baku" laid down
*24 December - "Novorossiysk" launched
*14 December - HMS|Ark Royal|R07|6 ("Invincible" class) laid down

::UK - 2, USA - 14, France - 2, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 1

1979
*14 February - HMS "Ark Royal" ("Audacious" class) decommissioned, end of conventional CATOBAR carrier operations for UK
*23 February - HMS "Bulwark" recommissioned
*8 October - "Principe de Asturias" laid down

::UK - 2, USA - 14, France - 2, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 2

1980s

1980
*15 March - USS "Carl Vinson" launched
*29 March - HMS "Ark Royal" ("Audacious" class) sold for scrap
*11 July - HMS "Invincible" commissioned, first purpose built STOVL carrier, first ship to include a ski-jump ramp
*1 August - USS "Wright" sold for scrap

::UK - 3, USA - 14, France - 2, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 2

1981
*HMS "Triumph" sold for scrap
*26 March - "Giuseppe Garibaldi" laid down"World Aircraft Carriers List: Italy", Haze Gray & Underway]
*27 March - HMS "Bulwark" decommissioned
*10 April - HMS "Bulwark" sold for scrap
*9 May - First carrier fitted with ski jump, HMS|Hermes|R12|6
*2 June - HMS "Ark Royal" launched
*31 October - USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|6 laid down
*1 December - HMS "Illustrious" launched

::UK - 2, USA - 14, France - 2, Australia - 1, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 2

1982
*25 February - Australian government announces its intention to purchase HMS Invincible and rename it HMAS Australia
*23 February - USS "Intrepid" struck, preserved as museum ship
*13 March - USS "Carl Vinson" commissioned
*17 April - "Baku" launched
*19 March - Argentina invades South Georgia launching the Falklands War, this war provides the impetus to slow the drawdown of the Royal Navy including carrier aviation, HMS Invincible deal canceled
*1 May - Argentine Carrier Veinticinco de Mayo detects and attempts airstrike against British fleet but is unable to launch due to unfavorable winds
*2 May - Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano sunk by British submarine, carrier ARA "Veinticinco de Mayo" withdraws to safe port for duration of war
*22 May - "Principe de Asturias" launched
*30 May – HMAS "Melbourne" decommissioned
*14 June - Argentina surrenders Falkland Islands anding the conflict
*20 June - HMS "Illustrious" commissioned
*12 September - "Novorossiysk" commissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 15, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 3

1983
*4 June - "Giuseppe Garibaldi" launched
*6 November - "Riga" laid down"World Aircraft Carriers List: Russia & the Soviet Union", Haze Gray & Underway]

::UK - 3, USA - 15, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 3

1984
*12 April - HMS "Hermes" decommissioned, placed in maintained reserve
*27 October - USS "Theodore Roosevelt" launched
*3 November - USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6 laid down
*18 November - "Riga" renamed "Leonid Brezhnev"

::UK - 2, USA - 15, France - 2, , Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 3

1985
*ARA "Veinticinco de Mayo" inoperable, laid up for possible modernisation
*HMAS "Melbourne" sold for scrap
*30 September - "Giuseppe Garibaldi" commissioned as helicopter ASW ship
*1 November - HMS "Ark Royal" commissioned
*5 December - "Leonid Brezhnev" launched
*6 December - "Riga" laid down

::UK - 3, USA - 15, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 3, Italy - 1(ASW LPH)

1986
*April - HMS "Hermes" sold to India
*15 April - US Bombing of Libya by carrier and land based aircraft
*25 August - USS|George Washington|CVN-73|6 laid down
*25 October - USS "Theodore Roosevelt" commissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 16, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 4, Italy - 1(ASW LPH)

1987
*12 May - HMS "Hermes renamed INS "Viraat"

::UK - 3, USA - 16, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, USSR - 4, Italy - 1(ASW LPH)

1988

*13 February - USS "Abraham Lincoln" launched
*30 May - "Principe de Asturias" commissioned
*9 August - USS "Shangri-La" sold for scrap
*October - "Leonid Brezhnev" renamed "Tbilisi"
*25 November - "Ulyanovsk" laid down
*4 December - "Riga" launched

::UK - 3, USA - 16, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 1, Spain - 2, USSR - 4, Italy - 1(ASW LPH)

1989
*"Giuseppe Garibaldi" takes on Harrier aircraft initiating Italian fixed wing carrier operations
*"Dédalo" decommissioned
*"INS Vikrant" ends CATOBAR operations and is converted with ski jump to all STOVL operations
*15 February - INS "Viraat" commissioned
*14 April - "Charles de Gaulle" laid down, first non-US nuclear aircraft carrierRose, 2007, p.284]
*25 July - "USS Hornet" struck, preserved as museum ship
*20 September - USS "Bennington" struck
*11 November - USS "Abraham Lincoln" commissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 17, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, USSR - 4, Italy - 1

1990s

1990
*"Riga" renamed "Varyag"
*ARA Veinticinco de Mayo" inoperable
*26 April - USS "Coral Sea" decommissioned
*21 July - USS "George Washington" launched
*2 August - Gulf War begins with Iraq invading Kuwait
*4 October - "Tbilisi" renamed "Admiral Kuznetsov"

::UK - 3, USA - 16, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, USSR - 4, Italy - 1

1991
*Baku" renamed "Admiral Gorshkov"
*"Ulyanovsk" cancelled at 40% complete
*21 January - "Admiral Kuznetsov" commissioned
*28 February Gulf War ends with cease fire
*31 March - USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74|6 laid down
*8 November - USS "Lexington" decommissioned, preserved as museum ship
*25 December - Soviet Union Dissolved Cold War ends

::UK - 3, USA - 15, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, Russia - 4, Italy - 1

1992
*Construction of "Varyag" stopped, transferred to Ukraine
*4 February - "Ulyanovsk" scrapped
*March - USS "Bon Homme Richard" sold for scrap
*11 April - USS "Midway" decommissioned, preserved as museum ship
*4 July - USS "George Washington" commissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 15, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, Russia - 5, Italy - 1

1993
*"Kiev" decommissioned
*"Minsk" decommissioned
*7 may - USS "Coral Sea" sold for scrap
*June - "Novorossiysk" decommissioned
*10 July - USS "Ranger" decommissioned, on donation hold as at 2004
*11 September - USS "Forrestal" decommissioned
*11 November - USS "John C. Stennis" launched
*29 November - USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75|6 laid down

::UK - 3, USA - 13, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, Russia - 2, Italy - 1

1994
*12 January - USS "Bennington" sold for scrap
*15 May - "Charles de Gaulle" launched
*12 July - HTMS "Chakri Naruebet" laid down
*20 August - USS "Saratoga" decommissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 12, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, Russia - 2, Italy - 1

1995
*"Minsk" sold to China for use as museum
*"Novorossiysk" sold for scrap
*9 September - USS "Oriskany" sold for scrap
*9 December - USS "John C. Stennis" commissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 13, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, Russia - 2, Italy - 1

1996
*"Kiev" sold to China for use in a military theme park
*"Admiral Gorshkov" decommissioned
*20 January - HTMS "Chakri Naruebet" launched
*9 August - USS "America" decommissioned
*7 September - USS "Harry S. Truman" launched

::UK - 3, USA - 12, France - 2, Brazil - 1, Argentina - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1

1997

HTMS "Chakri Naruebet"

*ARA "Veinticinco de Mayo" decommissioned
*31 January – INS "Vikrant" decommissioned, preserved as museum ship at Mumbai
*10 August - HTMS "Chakri Naruebet" commissioned
*1 October - "Clemenceau" decommissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 12, France - 2, Brazil - 1, India - 2, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

1998
*12 February - USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76|6 laid down
*April - "Varyag" sold to China
*30 September - USS "Independence" decommissioned
*25 July - USS "Harry S. Truman" commissioned

::UK - 3, USA - 12, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

1999
*January - ARA "Veinticinco de Mayo" sold for scrap
*10 September - "Dédalo" sold for scrap

::UK - 3, USA - 12, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

2000 to today

2000
*1 January - USS "Saratoga" placed on donation hold

::UK - 3, USA - 12, Brazil - 2, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

2001
*4 March - USS "Ronald Reagan" launched
*18 May - "Charles de Gaulle" commissioned
*17 July - "Cavour" laid down"Cavour - Light multirole Aircraft Carrier", digilander.libero.it]
*7 October War in Afghanistan
*16 October - NAeL "Minas Gerais" decommissioned"Minas Gerais", Global Security]
*15 November - "Foch" sold to Brazil, recommissioned as NAe "São Paulo"

::UK - 3, USA - 12, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

2003
*20 March - US 2003 invasion of Iraq
*12 July - USS "Ronald Reagan" commissioned
*7 August - USS "Constellation" decommissioned, placed in unmaintained reserve
*6 September - USS|George H. W. Bush|CVN-77|6 laid down

::UK - 3, USA - 12, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

2004
*NAeL "Minas Gerais" sold for scrap
*USS "Forrestal" designated for disposal
*20 January - "Admiral Gorshkov" sold to India will be renamed INS "Vikramaditya"
*April - USS "Independence" nominated to be sunk as artificial reef
*20 July - "Cavour" launched

::UK - 3, USA - 12, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

2005
*11 April - INS "Vikrant steel plate cutting started"Indigenous Aircraft Carrier", Bharat Rakshak]
*19 April - USS "America" started use as target for live firing tests
*May - "Juan Carlos I" laid down
*14 May - USS "America" scuttled
*3 August - HMS "Invincible" decommissioned, placed in reserve until 2010

::UK - 2, USA - 12, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

2006
*9 October - USS "George H. W. Bush" launched

::UK - 2, USA - 12, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

2007
*USS "Forestal" prepared to be sunk as a deep water reef, for fishery propagation
*1 August - USS "John F. Kennedy" decommissioned, placed in reserve

::UK - 2, USA - 11, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 1, Thailand - 1

2008
*February - USS "Independence", USS "Constellation" scheduled to be scrapped within 5 years
*10 March - "Juan Carlos I" launched
*27 March - "Cavour" commissioned

::UK - 2, USA - 11, France - 1, Brazil - 1, India - 1, Spain - 1, Russia - 1, Italy - 2, Thailand - 1

=See also=
*Aircraft carrier
* List of aircraft carriers
** List of aircraft carriers by country
** List of aircraft carriers by type
** List of aircraft carrier classes of the United States Navy
** List of aircraft carriers in service
* List of amphibious warfare ships

External links

* [http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/ESCORT/ Royal Navy Escort Carriers]

=Citations=

=References=

Books

*cite book |title=Flying stations: a story of Australian naval aviation |author=Australian Naval Aviation Museum |year=1998 |publisher=Allen & Unwin |location=Sydney |pages=289 |doi=359.940994 |isbn=1 86448 846 8

*cite book |last=Cassells |first=Vic |title=The Capital Ships: their battles and their badges |year=2000 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=East Roseville, NSW |isbn=0731809416 |oclc=48761594

*cite book |last=Chesneau |first=Roger |year=1984 |title=Aircraft Carriers of the World, 1914 to the Present. An Illustrated Encyclopedia |location=Annapolis, Maryland |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0870219022

*

*

*

Articles

*cite journal | last = Friedman | first = Herbert M. | coauthors = Ada Kera Friedman | title = Shot Into the Air | journal = Invention & Technology Magazine | volume = 21 | issue = 4 | publisher = AmericanHeritage.com | date = Spring 2006 | url = http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2006/4/2006_4_26.shtml | accessdate = 2008-09-19

Web Sites

*cite web |title=A-Z list of the Aircraft Carriers |work=Fleet Air Arm Archive 1939-1945 |publisher=fleetairarmarchive.net |url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Ships/Aircraftcarrierindex.html |accessdate=2008-09-16

*cite web |title=Cavour - Light multirole Aircraft Carrier |work=Mezzi Militari Italiani e Internazionali |publisher=digilander.libero.it |url=http://digilander.libero.it/en_mezzi_militari/html/en_cavour.html |accessdate=2008-09-26

*cite web |title=CV FOCH (R 99) |work=French Fleet Air Arm |url=http://frenchnavy.free.fr/ships/aircraft-carrier/foch/foch.htm |accessdate=2008-09-14

*cite web |title=CV CLEMENCEAU (R 98) |work=French Fleet Air Arm |url=http://frenchnavy.free.fr/ships/aircraft-carrier/clemenceau/clemenceau.htm |accessdate=2008-09-24

*cite web | title = DANFS | work = Naval Historical Center | publisher = United States Navy | url = http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/index.html | accessdate = 2008-09-19

*cite web |title=HMAS Melbourne (II) |work=HMA Ship Histories |publisher=Sea power Centre |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/HMAS_Melbourne_(II) |accessdate=2008-09-13

*cite web |title=HMAS Sydney (III) |work=HMA Ship Histories |publisher=Sea power Centre |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Sydney_(III) |accessdate=2008-09-13

*cite web |title=HMAS Vengeance |work=HMA Ship Histories |publisher=Sea power Centre |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Vengeance |accessdate=2008-09-13

*cite web |title = HMS Furious 1917 | work = Royal Navy | publisher = RN official web site | url = http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.880/changeNav/3533 | accessdate = 2008-09-19

*cite web |title=Indigenous Aircraft Carrier |work=Indian Navy [Bharatiya Nau Sena] |publisher=Bharat Rakshak |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/IAC.html |accessdate=2008-08-27

*cite web |title=KIDO BUTAI! |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page |Author=A.P. Tully |publisher=Combinedfleet.com |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/cvlist.htm |accessdate=2008-09-16

*cite web |title=Minas Gerais |work=Global Security |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/brazil/minas-gerais.htm |accessdate=2008-09-14

*cite web | title = Naval Vessel Register | publisher = US Navy | url = http://www.nvr.navy.mil/ | accessdate = 2008-09-24

*cite web |title=The early years |work=A Brief History of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers |publisher=USN official web site |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=1 |accessdate=2008-09-16

*" [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/argent.htm Argentina] ", " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/brazil.htm Brazil] ", " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/canada.htm Canada] ", " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/france.htm France] ", " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/india.htm India] ", " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/ijn_cv.htm Japanese Aircraft Carriers] ", " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/uk_esc.htm RN Escort Carriers] ", " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/uk_light.htm RN Light Fleet Carriers] ", " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/russia.htm Russia & The Soviet Union] " " [http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/us_light.htm US Light Fleet Carriers, WWII Era] ", "World Aircraft Carriers List", Haze Gray & Underway, Retrieved date|10-10-2008


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Aircraft carrier — From bottom to top: Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, showing size differences of late 20th century carriers An aircraft …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline for September following the September 11 attacks — All times, except where otherwise noted, in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). This is four hours (instead of five) before UTC because of daylight saving time. September, 2001 Wednesday, September 12 *2:30 AM, CBS reports that a car packed with… …   Wikipedia

  • List of aircraft carriers — The list of aircraft carriers contains all aircraft carriers listed alphabetically by name.Those listed in Bold are currently in active service.For listings by other methods, see:* List of aircraft carriers by country * List of aircraft carriers… …   Wikipedia

  • List of aircraft carriers by country — The list of aircraft carriers by country includes all aircraft carriers organized by country of origin and service. Where appropriate, a single ship may be listed under multiple countries. See also : * List of aircraft carriers * List of aircraft …   Wikipedia

  • List of aircraft carriers in service — This list of aircraft carriers contains all aircraft carriers which are currently in service, or being constructed, and are listed alphabetically by country.For listings by other methods, see:* List of all aircraft carriers * List of aircraft… …   Wikipedia

  • List of aircraft carriers by type — The list of aircraft carriers by type contains aircraft carriers organized by the specific type of aircraft carrier design.See also: *List of aircraft carriers *List of aircraft carriers in service *List of aircraft carriers by country *Timeline… …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of largest projects in the Russian economy — Moscow International Business Center under construction …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of World War II (1942) — This is a timeline of events that stretched over the period of World War II.January 1942:1: The United Nations is established: 26 Allied nations sign a Joint Declaration against the Axis. The term United Nations is first officially used to… …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of World War II (1941) — This is a timeline of events that stretched over the period of World War II.January 1941:1: Accounting of the previous night s bombing of London reveals that the Old Bailey, the Guildhall, and eight churches by Christopher Wren were destroyed or… …   Wikipedia

  • Timeline of World War II (1940) — This is a timeline of events that stretched over the period of World War II.January 1940:2: The Russian offensive in Finland is halted by several Finnish victories; numerous Russian tanks are destroyed, and the Russian offensive stalls.:7:… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”