USS Dwight D Eisenhower

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What has happened in the Israel-Hamas conflict so far?
• News Summary: USS Dwight D Eisenhower
• Why has the US deployed its carriers close to the Israel-Hamas conflict?
• What is the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG and what are its capabilities?
• USS Gerald R Ford

Why in news?

• US Defence Secretary announced that the nuclear-powered USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has been directed to move to the Eastern Mediterranean.
  • This place right is next to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant organisation Hamas.
• The Eisenhower CSG will join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which arrived earlier in the region.
  • USS Gerald R. Ford is the US Navy’s newest & most advanced aircraft carrier.

What has happened in the Israel-Hamas conflict so far?

• Hamas suddenly attacked Israel
  • On October 7, Hamas suddenly attacked Israel – leading to the death of more than 1,400 Israelis in the worst terror attack the country has ever seen.
• Offensive by Israel
  • Israel has since been bombarding Gaza, striking the militant group’s hideouts and other infrastructure.
  • So far, at least 2,215 Palestinians have been killed and 8,714 wounded due to the air strikes.
• Likely ground invasion by Israel
  • Israel is likely to launch a ground invasion of Gaza in a bid to destroy Hamas.
  • Israel has told the 1.1 million people living in the north of the tiny Palestinian enclave to evacuate and deployed tens of thousands of troops, tanks, and artillery on the edge of the territory.

News Summary: USS Dwight D Eisenhower

Why has the US deployed its carriers close to the Israel-Hamas conflict?

• As per the USA, there is no intention or plan to put American troops on the ground in Israel.
• However, the US has said that having two carriers in the region can provide a host of options.
• The presence of carriers can reiterate American support for its longtime ally Israel to others in the region.
  • It would act as a deterrent for any other actor, including Hezbollah, that might think that widening this conflict is a good idea.
  • There are indications that if the Iran-backed group Hezbollah decides to join the conflict on a full-scale level, it could draw other regional powers in.

What is the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG and what are its capabilities?

• About
  • USS Eisenhower has been described as the Navy’s finest 5-star aircraft carrier which provides a wide range of flexible mission capabilities.
  • These include maritime security operations, expeditionary power projection, forward naval presence, crisis response, sea control, deterrence, counter-terrorism, etc.
  • It is an aircraft carrier – which typically has various aircraft and onboard defence systems.
• Capabilities
  • They can disperse and serve as primary command and control operations centers, to cover a wide swath of area. They can conduct information warfare.
  • They can launch and recover E2-Hawkeye surveillance planes that provide early warnings on missile launches, conduct surveillance and manage the airspace.
  • Both ships carry F-18 fighter jets that could fly intercepts or strike targets.
  • They also have significant capabilities for humanitarian work, including an onboard hospital with medics, surgeons and doctors.
  • They sail with helicopters that can be used to airlift critical supplies in or victims out.

USS Gerald R Ford

• Features
  • It is the largest warship ever built. It is 337 m long, 78 m wide (measured at the flight deck) and 76 m high.
    • For perspective, the Qutub Minar in Delhi is just 72 m high.
  • It also displaces 100,000 tonnes at full load — equivalent to nearly four times the weight of steel used for the Howrah Bridge.
    • For comparison, India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant weighs 45,000 tons at full load, with dimensions of 262 m x 62m x 59m.
  • The carrier’s size allows it to support up to 90 aircraft. To conduct all operations aboard the carrier, a crew of over 4,500 personnel is needed.
    • For comparison, INS Vikrant operates a total of 36 aircraft and is run by a crew of roughly 1,650.
• Always travels in a carrier strike group
  • Aircraft carriers are offensive weapons and expensive symbols of a nation’s military might.
  • This means that despite its aircraft and onboard defence systems, the Gerald R Ford, like all aircraft carriers, always travels with the defensive cover of a carrier strike group (CSG).
  • A standard US CSG comprises a cruiser, at least two frigates or destroyers, and a supply ship.

Q1) What is carrier strike group?

A carrier strike group (CSG) is a type of carrier battle group in the United States Navy. A CSG is a principal element of U.S. power projection capability. A single supercarrier has enough firepower to rival the air forces of entire nations. 

Q2) What an aircraft carrier?

An aircraft carrier is a warship that acts as a floating airbase. It's equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for: Carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft, Stowage, maintenance, deployment, and recovery of aircraft and other equipment.

Source: USS Dwight D Eisenhower: Why US Navy’s ‘finest 5-star aircraft carrier’ has been sent to the Mediterranean | Indian Express