As of 2021, the largest aircraft carrier ever built is the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). It is a United States Navy supercarrier, commissioned in 2017 and it’s the lead ship of the Ford class of aircraft carriers. The USS Gerald R. Ford has a displacement of around 100,000 tons, it’s 337 meters (1,106 ft) long, and it has a flight deck width of around 78 meters (256 ft).
The USS Gerald R. Ford is powered by two nuclear reactors, which provide it with unlimited range and endurance, it can reach speeds of up to 30 knots (56 km/h). It has a crew of around 4,660 sailors and can carry around 90 aircrafts including fighter jets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is equipped with advanced technology, including an electromagnetic aircraft launching system (EMALS) and advanced arresting gear (AAG) for aircraft recovery, it also has an advanced command and control system, which allows for better coordination of aircraft operations and defensive systems.
Other notable contenders for the title of the largest aircraft carrier include the Nimitz class, which is also built by the United States Navy, and the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and Shandong, both are also large aircraft carriers.
It’s important to note that aircraft carriers are built for different purposes and each country’s Navy has its own requirements and priorities. Therefore, the largest aircraft carrier is a relative term, and the size and capabilities of aircraft carriers can vary.