Why is the Giant Set of Garage Doors and Opening at the Stern End of the US Navy's Ford-Class and Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carriers Called the Fan-Tail?

While the term 'fan-tail' describes the unique design of the aft end of aircraft carriers, it's important to delve deeper into its operational significance. Beyond its distinctive shape, the fan-tail area plays a crucial role in the operational efficiency of these vessels, facilitating the launch, recovery, maintenance, and storage of aircraft. This article aims to explain why this section is referred to as the 'fan-tail' and the operations it supports.

Operational Functions of the Fan-Tail

The fan-tail, although resembling a large garage door, serves multiple purposes that enhance the overall functionality of aircraft carriers. Its primary roles include:

Aircraft Launch and Recovery: The fan-tail provides a dedicated space for launching and recovering aircraft, ensuring smooth operations and minimizing downtime. Maintenance and Storage: It houses facilities and equipment necessary for the maintenance and storage of aircraft, ensuring that these assets are readily accessible and in optimal condition. Streamlining Operations: The design of the fan-tail helps streamline these processes, contributing to the overall efficiency of the carrier's operations.

Visual Representation and Examples

To better understand the functionality of the fan-tail, it can be helpful to visualize the space. Let's take a closer look at its features:

Garage Door Access for Jet Engine Testing

The fan-tail allows access through large doors, much like a garage, permitting the Aviation Maintenance Department (AVM) to roll out jet engines for testing and other maintenance operations. Here is an illustrative diagram of how these doors operate:

Figure 1: Rolling out a jet engine for maintenance through the fan-tail's garage doors.

Imagery of the Fan-Tail on U.S.S. Gerald Ford

Consider the image of the fan-tail area on the U.S.S. Gerald Ford. Despite popular misconceptions, the fan-tail does not include traditional doors that open like a garage. Instead, it features large, hinged sections that allow for the movement of aircraft and equipment:

Figure 2: The fan-tail area on U.S.S. Gerald Ford, showcasing its unique design features.

Past Examples: Landing Helicopter Assault Ships (LHA)

To illustrate further, let's look at the LHA-class aircraft carriers, which also featured large doors at their aft ends:

Amphibious Operations: Open and Ready

When in amphibious operations mode, the large doors on the aft end of the LHA were opened to facilitate the movement of amphibious vehicles and equipment:

Figure 3: The aft doors open for amphibious operations on an LHA.

Closed for Maintenance and Storage

When not in use, these doors are closed to provide a secure and controlled environment for maintenance and storage of equipment:

Figure 4: The aft doors closed for maintenance and storage on an LHA.

Historical Context and Behind-the-Scenes Operations

Historically, LHA vessels built at Ingalls Shipbuilding included a large door on the aft end, crucial for their operational needs. These ships, such as LHA-1 through LHA-5, were designed to accommodate 5,000 Marines and a crew of 750. The doors served as a significant logistical asset:

Marine Corps Operations: Diesel Assist

A personal recollection involves a notable incident aboard one of these ships. During a visit to the shipyard, the author of this article encountered a brother-in-law, who at the time was working in a 5,000-gallon cooking oil holding tank. The oil was used for various purposes, including cooking, cleaning, and fuel:

The oil was pumped to the kitchens and into the deep fryers. Used oil was then cleaned and reused or mixed into fuel oil in the Auxiliary Machinery Room.

Figure 5: The 5,000-gallon cooking oil holding tank aboard an LHA.