Can US aircraft Carriers fit through the Panama Canal? Links?

Answer 1

The old WWII era carriers could go through the canal. The bigger nuclear ones can not.

Some of the "helicopter assault ships" that look like aircraft carriers can probably still make it through but not the main fleet carriers.

The max length of the canal locks is 965 ft and that is less than many of the current carriers. The nimitz is 1092 ft long (our main nuclear carrier class) and cant go through.

a link of a WWII era carrier in the canal
http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/020209.jpg

Answer 2

Currently, the Nimitz class aircraft carriers, that make up the cream of the US fleet, are too big to fit through the Panama canal. However, in 2016, new locks should open on the canal which will be big enough to let the carriers pass through. Also the new Ford class carriers that are coming the next year or two will fit through the new locks on the canal. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ships are exactly the size of the existing Panama locks and could just about squeeze through. They will easily fit in the new locks.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can US aircraft Carriers fit through the Panama Canal? Links?

Answer 4

No. Post war carriers since the USS Midway will not fit through the canal. The largest warships to traverse the canal were the four Iowa-class battleships with a width of 109 feet with just 6 inches free on each side.

Answer 5

If they meet Panamax standards, yes. I've seen pictures where some have, but I'm not sure if the newer class can do so or not.

Panama is building another set of canals to handle bigger ships.

Answer 6

yes they can go thru except for the reagan class which has to go around the tip of south america.

Answer 7

yes, but it's a darn tite squeeze

Answer 8

Yes........but a very tiight fit.