Aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships have a similar appearance, but they perform different distinct missions. Each has a different design and carries varying equipment.

These massive ships are a far cry from the U.S. Navy's first ever aircraft carrier, the USS Langley, or even the purpose built carrier the Japanese Navy debuted at the same time.

The Nimitz and newest Gerald R. Ford-class carriers can launch up to 125 strike sorties in a single day. But not every aircraft leaving the carrier is on an attack mission.

Ford-Class Carriers: A $13 Billion Bet on America’s Naval Future America’s great love affair with the aircraft carrier continues unabated, with the creation of the Ford- class aircraft carrier.