An A4W reactor is a type of nuclear reactor in use aboard the United States Navy's Nimitz-class
supercarriers, capable of producing 140,000 shaft horsepower (104MW) of energy, and with a normal fuel lifespan of 10 years
and a core lifespan of 50 years. The nuclear fuel was originally 93% U235, but current
technology uses 20-25% U235. The fuel is not UO2, but rather a metal-zirconium
alloy. The reactor uses an internal neutron shield to maintain
long term integrity.
The A4W reactor is the nuclear fission pressurized water reactor (PWR) design used in powering U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. It was
designed jointly by Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and Knolls Atomic Power Lab (KAPL) Division, with BAPL as the prime contractor.
Meaning of the name
The A4W reactor is the fourth nuclear fission reactor design for use in powering U. S. Navy aircraft carriers by a division of
the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The A stands for
aircraft carrier, 4 for 4th reactor design, and W for Westinghouse.
