The Nimitz class has alternately been praised as the apex of American power and dismissed as an obsolete symbol, although its basic utility changed far less than the surrounding political context. These ships have accumulated more direct experience of changing international orders than many officials deciding their budgets. Capital ships must be judged against next month, next year, and the next decade rather than a single current crisis. Even after cancellation of the strike cruiser and retirement of nuclear escorts, the carriers retained enough flexibility and mobility to remain central long-term assets.
Notable Point · 1:56:52-1:59:22
Capital ships outlive the politics used to judge them
Five decades of service expose the mismatch between short political debates and naval assets built for crises many governments into the future.