A2W reactor

A2W reactor is the name for the nuclear reactor on the USS Enterprise ( CVN- 65) of the United States Navy, the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the world. The acronym stands for:

  • A = Aircraft Carrier ( aircraft carrier )
  • 2 = second generation ( A1W was the prototype of the Idaho National Laboratory )
  • W = Westinghouse was the primary contract holders for the construction of the reactor.

The four drive units on the USS Enterprise have two reactors with the designations 1A - 1B, 2A - 2B, 3A - 3B and 4A - 4B. Each drive unit can be operated with a single reactor, in which case most of the energy required for the ship's propulsion.

The reactors are pressurized water reactors, which are operated with enriched uranium. Light water is used as moderator and as a reactor coolant.

21167
de