Supercarriers: The U.S. Navy's 5 Best Aircraft Carriers of All Time

Summary and Key Points: Aircraft carriers are vital symbols of U.S. naval power, projecting airpower globally. The U.S. leads in carrier innovation, boasting 11 supercarriers in service and 55 decommissioned.

-Notable carriers include USS Langley (CV-1), the first U.S. carrier; USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the oldest serving carrier; USS Lexington (CV-16), a World War II Essex-class carrier; USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the most advanced carrier; and USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the first nuclear-powered carrier.