Northrop had seen supplying the US Navy with ships and aircraft carriers as core to their business, but they are reviewing that strategy as the Pentagon has said it will focus priorities on smaller, more nimble weaponry.

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It and the seven other operational Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are the core of the US's world conventional military reach.

BBC: News | In Depth | Military Fact Files

In general, carriers such as American and US Airways allocate 30 minutes to board a narrowbody aircraft.

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