The biggest aircraft carrier in the world, weighing over 100,000 tons, is the USS Nimitz. Seven ingenious technological breakthroughs enabled engineers to build this super-structure. From its steam catapults and mirror landing aids to its nuclear engines and unique megablock construction system, uncover the technology that enables the USS Nimitz to sail for over 20 years without refuelling, to house a crew of 6,000 men and women, to launch a supersonic jet fighter every 30 seconds and detect enemy threats nearly 300 miles away. These innovations changed aircraft carrier design forever and enabled them to grow in size and scale - from BIG to BIGGER into the USS Nimitz, the world's BIGGEST.

• John Michie
• Rick D. Wasserman