It and the seven other operational Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are the core of the US's world conventional military reach.

During operations, Nimitz-class carriers sail at the centre of a carrier battle group of ships that includes guided missile cruisers, destroyers, frigates, logistics ships and submarines.

Nimitz-class carriers are more than 1082 feet (330 metres) long and weigh almost 100,000 tonnes.

They can carry up to 85 aircraft in below-deck hangars and have a combined ship and aircrew of more than 5,000 servicemen and women.

Four elevators bring aircraft to the flight deck and fighters are launched by British-invented steam catapults known as "fat cats". These accelerate aircraft to 150 miles per hour in less than three seconds.

A Nimitz-class carrier also carries self-defence measures including missiles, guns and decoy measures.

Powered by two nuclear generators, the carrier's range is only limited by the ability to keep it and the crew supplied. Nimitz-class carriers are designed to be operational for 50 years.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt was one of the key elements of Nato's naval power in the 1999 Kosovo conflict with more than 3,400 combat missions launched from its deck.