The first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is the USS Enterprise, which was ordered in 1957, launched in 1960 and commissioned in 1961 by the US Navy. The ship has since taken part in numerous missions, including: the Cuba crisis of 1962, operations during the war in Vietnam (1959-1975), it was the first nuclear ship to transit the Suez Canal and has supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is currently due to remain in commission until 2015.

USS Enterprise has a displacement of 77,655 tonnes (85,600 tons), a length of 335.5 m (1,101 ft) and carries a crew of 4,600.