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Logic is a dangerous thing to apply to science fiction. I tried applying a little logic to " The Empire Strikes Back " (why could they always breathe the air everywhere they landed?), and got about 50 letters, fairly evenly divided between people logically explaining the movie to me, and people arguing that logic doesn't matter in a "Star Wars" movie.

It matters even less, I'd say, in "The Final Countdown," in which the aircraft carrier Nimitz sails through a whirlpool in time and is thrown back 40 years to the day before Pearl Harbor. It's an appealing idea: A nuclear-powered carrier with a full complement of jet warplanes, right off Pearl and knowing the Japanese attack plans. Unfortunately, the movie makes such a mess of it that the biggest element of interest is the aircraft carrier itself. The movie was shot on board, with Navy cooperation, and the operations of the carrier are shown in interesting detail.

Just try to forget the plot. It has the Nimitz sailing through clear waters when suddenly a gigantic whirlpool appears in the sky. This is apparently a gateway into the past, although it looks more like a rejected test run for Disney's " The Black Hole ." Thrown back to 1940, the ship is in a position to alter the course of history. Will it destroy the Japanese air fleet? Ha. We know it can't - because, in the future the Nimitz was thrown back from, it didn't, or hadn't. Anyway, just before the zero hour, the Nimitz is hurled back into 1980 by another whirlpool. But it leaves two people behind.

And that sets up this insoluble time-travel paradox: If a guy from 1980 travels 40 years back in time, and then lives for another 40 years, could he have a meeting with himself? It almost happens in this movie: A mysterious limousine arrives just as the Nimitz is sailing on its ill-fated 1980 cruise. Inside is an old man who, as a young man, sailed on the cruise, was thrown back in time, was stranded on a desert island, lived 40 years ... and arrived in the limousine to see the ship off.

But hold on a minute. Doesn't that mean that the same man, before and after, is on the same dock at the, same time? By my count, that makes two bodies for one person, which violates everything they taught us in high school physics.

So, ok, say I'll buy the paradox. That still leaves me with other problems. For example, Nimitz commander Kirk Douglas launches an air attack against the arriving Japanese Air Force . . . and then calls it off at the last minute, just as the Nimitz is sailing back into the second whirlpool. Why change his mind and call it off? Is he reluctant to play God? I dunno and he doesn't say. (I can think of one good reason for calling the planes back: When the Nimitz is snatched back to 1980, they'd be left flying around the Pacific with no place to land.) The movie dodges all sorts of fundamental questions like that, and it moves so slowly, alas, that we have lots of time to ponder them.

Still, the footage aboard the carrier is good. We got an interesting notion of life on ship, and we see lots of takeoffs and even an emergency landing. This is the kind of movie that some kids would probably enjoy - it's filled with technology, special effects and action. But it just doesn't make any sense. And It lacks the wit to have fun with its time travel paradoxes, as last year's wonderful "Time After Time" did. It just plows ahead. Or behind. Or somewhere.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film credits.

The Final Countdown (1980)

103 minutes

Kirk Douglas as Capt. Yelland

Martin Sheen as Warren Lasky

Katharine Ross as Laurel Scott

James Farentino as Cmdr. Owens

Ron O'Neal as Cmdr. Thurman

Charles Durning as Sen. Chapman

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The Final Countdown

Film details.

• Articles & Reviews

Brief Synopsis

Cast & crew, kirk douglas, martin sheen, katharine ross, james farentino, nick l anelli, technical specs.

Cold war era aircraft carrier is transported back to December 6, 1941 through a time warp.

Robert K. Lambert

David jones.

Richard Johnson

Lloyd kaufman, masayuki yamazuki.

Charles Durning

James r augustus, soon-tek oh, raymond m reynaud, aaron b wilson, charles f myers, david f young, ronald kissel, francis ross.

Edward Andrews

Emory w brown, david wanamaker, edward j deats, james bulick, david h signor, christopher v totis, robert l huffman, richard farrell, william s frost, randy m olin, frank diramio, peter douglas, dan fitzgerald, jake dennis, ronnie j ellis, john t davis, michael j kubat, george h strohsahl, harold bergman, andrey swystun, jeffrey l myers, william couch, brian tyndall, robert goodman, stephen g weaver, william h miller, sergei m kowalchik, mark thomas, jack mcdermott, ted richert, jerry d elliott, timothy w gersbacher, kenneth j jaskolski, mark trenor, eric lofquist, james w. houston, james c lawrence, david f person, sam p baldwin, jan p werson, wayne l flesher, george warren, james a dennis, alan mullen, victor mohica, michael k balint, trevor r sandison, gerry mountcastle, ronald r stoops, gary morgan, robert k miller, andris damberkaln.

Ron O'neal

Kermit l mccorble, frank r arko, richard liberty, gregory t swarney, michael a davis, daniel c rockwell, stephen g williams, andrew akerson, phil philbin, raymond r langley, scott michael wilson, bill mccluskey, david ambrose, richard l anderson, fredd baillie, cynthia bales, frank ballou, donah bassett, mike batzler, susan m becton, maurice binder, bruce bisenz, bob boettcher, steven bridges, benjamin bruce, irving buchman, david l butler, fernando carrere, robert cosby, gerry costello, george craig, gerry davis, leslie dennis, michael dobie, michael durant, garry elmendorf, pat elmendorf, stephen hunter flick, earl gilbert, anthony gittelson, william graves, romaine greene, rhio haessig, warren hamilton, orwin harvey, robert horne, alan howarth, thomas hunter, b j johnson, kent johnson, victor j kemper, douglas kenny, david j kimball, nikita knatz, robert j litt, milton lustig, william maldonado, mark mangini, mark mcgann, jim mcmahon, ed milkovich, richard milligan, bruce montgomery, pat moseman, florence nerlinger, dennis peebles, peter powell, tom pullinger, john richards, gaylin schultz, bernie schwartz, norman b schwartz, louis schwartzberg, colby smith, richard r st johns, ray summers, virgil tanner, tony tenreiro, robert c. thomas, timothy tobin, james w. tyson, mark winter, douglas e wise, howard wollman.

Ron O'Neal (1937-2003) - Ron O'Neal (1937-2003)

Ron o'neal (1937-2003) - ron o'neal (1937-2003), miscellaneous notes.

Released in United States Summer July 1980

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Where to watch

The final countdown.

Directed by Don Taylor

Trapped outside the boundaries of time and space... 102 aircraft... 6,000 men... all missing.

During routine manoeuvres near Hawaii in 1980, the aircraft-carrier USS Nimitz is caught in a strange vortex-like storm, throwing the ship back in time to 1941—mere hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Kirk Douglas Martin Sheen Katharine Ross James Farentino Ron O'Neal Charles Durning Victor Mohica James Coleman Soon-Tek Oh Alvin Ing Lloyd Kaufman Dan Fitzgerald Peter Douglas Joe Lowry Ted Richert Mark Thomas Harold Bergman George Warren Richard Liberty Gary Morgan Phil Philbin Robert Goodman Neil Ronco Bill Couch Jack McDermott Masayuki Yamazuki George H. Strohsahl Jr. Ronald R. Stoops Kenneth J. Jaskolski Show All… Sergei M. Kowalchik Jake Dennis Jim Toone Edward J. Deats Robert L. Huffman James R. Augustus Sam P. Baldwin Ronnie J. Ellis Timothy W. Gersbacher Wayne L. Flesher William S. Frost David H. Signor Tommy Abel Andrew Akerson Edward Andrews Nick L. Anelli Frank R. Arko

Director Director

Producers producers.

Peter Douglas Lloyd Kaufman John W. Hyde

Writers Writers

Peter Powell David Ambrose Thomas Hunter Gerry Davis

Story Story

Thomas Hunter David Ambrose Peter Powell

Editor Editor

Robert K. Lambert

Cinematography Cinematography

Victor J. Kemper

Assistant Directors Asst. Directors

Pat Kehoe Ed Milkovich Douglas E. Wise

Additional Directing Add. Directing

J. David Jones Robert K. Lambert

Executive Producer Exec. Producer

Richard R. St. Johns

Lighting Lighting

Earl Gilbert

Camera Operator Camera Operator

Robert C. Thomas

Additional Photography Add. Photography

Stan Lazan David L. Butler

Production Design Production Design

Fernando Carrere

Art Direction Art Direction

Dale Koeppe

Set Decoration Set Decoration

Dennis Peebles

Special Effects Special Effects

Pat Elmendorf Joe Day Garry Elmendorf

Visual Effects Visual Effects

Maurice Binder

Stunts Stunts

Bill Couch Orwin C. Harvey J. David Jones Colby Smith

Composer Composer

Sound sound.

Richard L. Anderson Warren Hamilton Jr. Mark A. Mangini Robert Nichols II Bruce Bisenz

Costume Design Costume Design

Ray Summers

Makeup Makeup

Bob Mills Irving Buchman

Hairstyling Hairstyling

Romaine Greene

Bryna Productions United Artists

Primary Language

Spoken languages.

Russian English Japanese

Releases by Date

31 jan 1980, 05 jul 1980, 09 jul 1980, 01 aug 1980, 09 sep 1980, 14 oct 1980, 30 oct 1980, 15 dec 1980, 30 dec 1980, 05 may 1988, 05 apr 2007, releases by country.

• Theatrical PG
• Theatrical TP
• Theatrical 12

103 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by 📀 Cammmalot 📀 ★★★ 3

”Somebody, for some reason, wants us to believe that we’re back in 1941.”

This plays like a mid-level Twilight Zone that starts with a great cast and an interesting premise, but lacks the know how of what to do with it.

According to Wikipedia the filmmakers had the full cooperation of the United States Navy and U S. Defense Department, but this turns out to be a hindrance because the film spends way too much time showing extended shots of real ships and real planes rather than trying to tell a compelling story. Even the end credits are like, “Holy cow can you believe they let us use all these cool toys?!?!”

“I think I have something very interesting to show you”

Cinematic Time Capsule - 1980 Ranked

Review by Two Cineasts ★★★½ 2

What if...you change history?

Hi everybody, today I wanted to write a review to one of our announced reviews, but then I stumble over this funny film at Amazon Prime. I had read a lot of critics about it, but realized that I never watched it. I thought to myself “hey why not” and as a huge nerdy fan of science fiction, a story about an US Aircraftcarrier travelled back in time, just the day before Japan’s attack on USA in Pearl Harbor December the 7th 1941, it sounds like an amusing afternoon to me.

And it was. The movie captured the question of time travel Paradox, what if I travelled back in time an met my grandfather, accidentally I…

Review by Sean Baker

First time watch for me. What an oddity. Seems like no one was on the same page while making this film.

Watched the Blue Underground Blu-ray. It includes an interview with Lloyd Kaufman, who was an associate producer. It seems Kaufman was turned off to mainstream filmmaking by being involved with this film. He calls director Don Taylor a pot-bellied burnout and the crew as absolute shitheads.

Due to lack of time, I can't add much to these logs for now. :( Maybe in the future.

Review by Leighton Trent ★★½

December 7th 1980, a day that will live in infamy ...

A Pearl Harbor time travel war film starring Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen has "good B-movie idea" written all over it, but the script really has no concept of how to execute this once its story gets going. Douglas and Sheen both do good work with basically nothing, and there is some terrific camerawork which shows claustrophobic carrier life well, but the film has that Television Look all over it and I can't help but feel it got lifted straight from the airwaves to the big screen somehow without anyone knowing.

Review by Blake Bergman "Various Spaghetti" ★★★★ 3

"The Final Countdown" is a 1980 science fiction military film directed by Don Taylor. The film takes a look at a typical routine Naval patrol in the Pacific Ocean waters for the U.S.S. Nimitz and throws the ship and its crew into an absurd time paradox scenario. What proceeds is an interdimensional time portal taking the ship back to December 6th, 1941, from the present day (which for the film is essentially somewhere 1979-1980). What is so prevalent about December 6th, 1941, in particular? It happens to be one day directly before the infamous December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor, the events that ushered the United States involvement in World War II.

Now I get it, go figure that is…

Review by Travis Lytle ★★★½

Though it is more setup than payoff, "The Final Countdown" is a solid and enjoyable time travel yarn. Focusing on a US Navy aircraft carrier that is transported from 1979 to 1941, the film poses a number of what-if questions and answers them to various degrees of satisfaction.

The films unfolds less as a time travel adventure than a salute to the machines and men of the US Navy, seemingly spending the bulk of its running time providing more footage of planes and ships than it does drama. Still, the core narrative is compelling and the film gets a lot of positive mileage from the ideas and scenes of modern military might toying with the war instruments of the 1940s.…

Review by chavel ★½ 2

Intriguing “Twilight Zone” esque premise, slow as molasses telling. USS Nimitz, an aircraft carrier, is caught in an out to sea vortex which time warps back to December 6, 1941. The crew has mere hours with their foresight knowledge to figure out how to thwart the Pearl Harbor attack. Acting is stolid (hardly anybody is appropriately aghast), but you have Kirk Douglas masculine and stubborn posturing as the Commander, and Martin Sheen doing what he can to lend gravitas in the part of a Systems Analyst for the U.S. Defense Department. Also, a few good lines for Charles Durning and Katharine Ross as a ’40’s era political team. Some terrific shots of planes, the highlight. Cop-out storytelling at the ending downgrades The Final Countdown though even further.

Review by 🇵🇱 Steve G 🇵🇸 ★★★ 5

The June-ar Module

Did Europe actually base the lyrics to The Final Countdown on The Final Countdown?

Because the first verse seems to mirror the film, at least fairly approximately.

We're leaving together But still it's farewell And maybe we'll come back To earth, who can tell? I guess there is no one to blame We're leaving ground (leaving ground) Will things ever be the same again?

The second verse doesn't really match though when they start going on about Venus or something. Of course, nobody gives a shit about anything in that song aside from the chorus anyway.

It's fair to say that the song has become far more famous than its namesake film - and that's fair enough,…

Review by 12drue 🎞️ ★★★½ 6

⏰LB Community Zeitreise – 17.-19.02.2023⏰ unter der Leitung von Zeitkapitän Maddin809

Der Flugzeugträger USS Nimitz gerät 1980 im Pazifik in einen geheimnisvollen Sturm, der sich als Zeittunnel entpuppt. Das Schiff findet sich mitsamt Besatzung und allen Flugzeugen am 6.12.1941, am Vortag des japanischen Angriffs auf Pearl Harbor, wieder. Ich habe den Film vor seeeehr langer Zeit mal in einer Wiederaufführung im Kino gesehen. Da ich damals noch keine 12 Jahre alt war, musste mein Bruder mich irgendwie reinschmuggeln. Als Kind fand ich den sehr beeindruckend. Daher hatte ich jetzt etwas Angst vor einem Rewatch, weil ich mit Kriegsfilmen heutzutage meist nicht mehr so viel anfangen kann. Ich war dann aber wirklich positiv überrascht. Die Kampfszenen beschränken sich auf ein Minimum.…

Review by andy levy ★★★★ 1

feel free to take my four-star rating with a grain of salt, since this is a pure nostalgia-fest for me. i loved this film when it came out, waaaay before most of y'all were born. i read the novelization of the film (by martin caidin, best known for the book 'cyborg,' which was the basis for 'the six million dollar man) countless times. and it was one of my favorite "movies to always watch when it pops up on cable on a rainy day" back when it seemed like tbs or some other network would air it every month or so.

so anyway, when i saw that blue underground was coming out with a limited edition 4k blu-ray, scanned from…

Review by gibson8 ★★★

I agree with Ebert that although the time travel plot device is not explored fully there is a tangential benefit from the US Navy granting access to the filmmakers:

Almost all of the background players are enlisted men who are tasked with delivering some basic exposition and reacting to the unfolding events.

For that unusual detail - and the extended landings and taking-offs on the Nimitz- there is some fun to be had herein.

Review by Keith G ★★ 6

The USS Nimitz, a modern aircraft carrier captained by Kirk Douglas, is sucked through a storm like vortex. Having lost radio contact with the Pacific Fleet, they initially suspect that a nuclear strike has occurred. Slowly they begin to realise that they in fact travelled back in time to 1941, the day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Suddenly they have a dilemma, do they engage with enough firepower to change history? I am okay with the ludicrous story, I'm not okay with sitting through the dilemma of do we don't we, when the ending makes the whole thing completely redundant. I wasn't sure if they were painting Durning's bullish Senator character fairly, I felt his actions were perfectly…

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The Final Countdown

Cast & crew.

Kirk Douglas

Capt. Matthew Yelland

Martin Sheen

Warren Lasky

Katharine Ross

Laurel Scott

James Farentino

Wing Commander Richard T. Owens

Cmdr. Dan Thurman

• WAR & MILITARY
• Average 5.9

Information

© 1980 Icon Film Distribution Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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The Final Countdown

Where to watch.

Watch The Final Countdown with a subscription on Prime Video.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Kirk Douglas

Capt. Matthew Yelland

Martin Sheen

Warren Lasky

Katharine Ross

Laurel Scott

James Farentino

Cdr. Richard Owens

Ron O'Neal

Cdr. Dan Thurman

More Like This

42 Facts About The Movie The Final Countdown

Written by Leisha Jolly

Modified & Updated: 01 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

The Final Countdown is a thrilling and captivating movie that has left a lasting impression on audiences since its release. This 1980 science fiction film, directed by Don Taylor and starring Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, and James Farentino, takes viewers on a suspenseful journey as a modern aircraft carrier is transported back in time to the eve of the Pearl Harbor attack during World War II.

With its unique concept, impressive special effects, and talented cast, The Final Countdown has solidified its place as a cult classic in the world of cinema. In this article, we will delve deeper into this action-packed film and uncover 42 intriguing facts that every fan of The Final Countdown should know.

Key Takeaways:

• “The Final Countdown” is a 1980 movie starring Kirk Douglas, blending time travel and the Pearl Harbor attack, sparking debates and gaining a loyal fan base.
• “The Final Countdown” offers a thrilling mix of time travel, historical events, and moral dilemmas, captivating audiences with its innovative concept and engaging storytelling.

The movie was released in 1980

The Final Countdown, directed by Don Taylor, hit the theaters in 1980, taking audiences on an exhilarating adventure through time.

It stars Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas, renowned for his powerful performances, leads the cast in The Final Countdown, portraying the role of Captain Matthew Yelland.

The USS Nimitz aircraft carrier plays a central role

The movie revolves around the USS Nimitz, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that mysteriously finds itself transported back in time to the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

It blends science fiction and historical events

The Final Countdown ingeniously combines elements of science fiction with the historically significant event of the Pearl Harbor attack , creating a captivating narrative.

The movie poses a moral dilemma

As the crew of the USS Nimitz grapples with the decision of whether to intervene and alter history, a thought-provoking moral dilemma arises.

The film features a stellar supporting cast

The Final Countdown boasts an ensemble cast, including Martin Sheen , James Farentino, and Katharine Ross, each delivering powerful performances that enhance the overall cinematic experience.

The aerial sequences are stunning

The movie showcases breathtaking aerial sequences , capturing the scale and intensity of combat in the skies with meticulous attention to detail.

The Final Countdown received mixed reviews

Upon its release, the movie received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its unique concept and stunning visuals, while others found fault with certain aspects of the plot.

It features a memorable score

The Final Countdown is accompanied by an unforgettable score composed by John Scott, which heightens the suspense and adds emotional depth to the story.

The movie addresses the impact of time travel

Exploring the unforeseen consequences of altering historical events, The Final Countdown delves into the ethical implications of time travel.

It has gained a cult following

Over the years, The Final Countdown has amassed a dedicated fan base who appreciate its unique blend of action, suspense, and time-travel elements.

The USS Nimitz allowed filming on board

The production team was granted rare access to film on-board the USS Nimitz, providing an authentic and immersive experience for both cast and crew.

The movie explores alternate timelines

By depicting the potential outcomes of altering history, The Final Countdown offers viewers a glimpse into the concept of alternate timelines.

The screenplay was written by a father-son duo

The screenplay for The Final Countdown was written by Thomas Hunter and Peter Powell, a father-son writing team known for their collaboration on various film projects.

It blends historical footage with new footage

The movie seamlessly integrates authentic historical footage from the attack on Pearl Harbor with newly shot scenes, enhancing the realism of the storytelling.

The Final Countdown was primarily filmed in Hawaii

Hawaii served as the primary filming location for The Final Countdown, providing a picturesque backdrop for the movie’s intense naval and aerial sequences.

The movie raises philosophical questions

Through its time-bending narrative, The Final Countdown prompts viewers to contemplate the nature of destiny, free will, and the consequences of our actions.

It garnered an Academy Award nomination

The film was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Visual Effects, showcasing the impressive technical achievement achieved by the special effects team.

The Final Countdown has inspired other works of fiction

The movie’s intriguing premise and exploration of time travel have influenced various books, TV shows, and movies in the science fiction genre.

It offers a thrilling time-travel adventure

The Final Countdown takes audiences on a pulse-pounding journey as they witness the clash between modern naval technology and the historical events of World War II.

The movie addresses the “butterfly effect”

The concept of the “butterfly effect” is touched upon in The Final Countdown, demonstrating how small actions in the past can have significant repercussions in the future.

It examines the role of technology in warfare

By juxtaposing the advanced technology of the USS Nimitz with the more traditional military strategies of the past, The Final Countdown prompts reflection on the evolution of warfare.

The movie features intense naval battles

The Final Countdown showcases gripping naval battles as the USS Nimitz faces off against World War II-era Japanese ships, immersing viewers in the chaos of war.

It raises questions about historical determinism

The Final Countdown challenges the notion of historical determinism, suggesting that even seemingly insignificant actions can drastically alter the course of history.

The Final Countdown offers a unique twist on time travel

Rather than individuals traveling through time, The Final Countdown explores the intriguing concept of an entire naval fleet being transported to the past.

The movie uses authentic military equipment

The filmmakers ensured that the military equipment used in The Final Countdown was accurate to the time period, adding an extra layer of realism to the production.

It drew inspiration from real events

The Final Countdown was partially inspired by actual incidents of naval ships mysteriously disappearing and reappearing throughout history.

The film examines the nature of heroism

As the crew of the USS Nimitz grapples with their role in history, The Final Countdown explores what it means to be a hero in the face of adversity.

It features stunning cinematography

The Final Countdown showcases the stunning cinematography of Victor J. Kemper, capturing both the grandeur of the USS Nimitz and the devastation of war.

The movie leaves room for interpretation

The Final Countdown intentionally leaves certain aspects open to interpretation, inviting audiences to contemplate the logical and philosophical implications of time travel.

The Final Countdown garnered a loyal fan base

Over the years, The Final Countdown has gained a loyal fan base who appreciate its unique blend of time travel and historical events.

It remains a beloved sci-fi classic

The Final Countdown has solidified its status as a sci-fi classic, captivating audiences with its thought-provoking plot and mesmerizing visuals .

The movie explores the concept of predestination

By examining the potential impact of time travel on predestined events, The Final Countdown delves into the intricate relationship between fate and free will.

It raises questions about the ethics of intervention

The Final Countdown forces both the characters and the viewers to grapple with the ethical implications of altering historical events and interfering with the course of history.

The special effects were groundbreaking for its time

At the time of its release, The Final Countdown showcased groundbreaking special effects that brought the time-traveling naval fleet to life on the big screen.

The movie sparks debates among fans

Due to its complex themes and ambiguous ending, The Final Countdown has sparked numerous debates and discussions among its dedicated fan base.

It showcases the importance of teamwork

As the crew of the USS Nimitz faces extraordinary circumstances, The Final Countdown highlights the significance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving common goals .

The movie explores the consequences of altering history

The Final Countdown delves into the potential repercussions that arise when attempting to change the course of history, emphasizing the interconnectedness of events.

It received recognition for its production design

The production design of The Final Countdown was widely praised, capturing the essence of both modern naval warfare and the historical setting of World War II.

The movie is filled with suspenseful moments

The Final Countdown keeps audiences on the edge of their seats with its thrilling set pieces and unexpected twists, ensuring an adrenaline-filled cinematic experience.

It has stood the test of time

Despite being released over four decades ago, The Final Countdown continues to captivate audiences with its innovative concept and engaging storytelling.

The Final Countdown is a must-watch for movie enthusiasts

With its combination of time travel, historical events, and moral dilemmas, The Final Countdown offers a unique and enthralling viewing experience for movie enthusiasts of all genres .

With its fascinating blend of time travel, action, and suspense, The Final Countdown remains an iconic movie that has captivated audiences for decades. The film’s unique concept of a modern-day aircraft carrier being transported back in time to the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbor is both intriguing and thought-provoking.

Throughout this article, we have explored 42 fascinating facts about The Final Countdown , from its impressive cast and crew to its complex production and critical reception. We have delved into the film’s historical accuracy, its impact on other time travel narratives, and the enduring legacy it has left on pop culture.

Whether you’re a fan of sci-fi movies, historical dramas, or simply appreciate a well-crafted story, The Final Countdown is a must-watch. So gather your popcorn, brace yourself for a thrilling adventure, and let the countdown begin!

Q: Who directed the movie The Final Countdown ?

A: The Final Countdown was directed by Don Taylor .

Q: When was the movie released?

A: The Final Countdown was released on July 1, 1980.

Q: Is the storyline of the movie historically accurate?

A: While the film incorporates historical events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor, it is a work of fiction and takes creative liberties with the concept of time travel.

Q: Who are some of the notable cast members in The Final Countdown ?

A: The film stars Kirk Douglas , Martin Sheen, James Farentino, and Katharine Ross.

Q: Did The Final Countdown receive positive reviews from critics?

A: The critical reception for the film was mixed, with opinions varying on its concept and execution, but it has since gained a cult following.

Q: Has there been any talk of a sequel or a reboot?

A: As of now, there are no confirmed plans for a sequel or a reboot of The Final Countdown .

Q: What impact did The Final Countdown have on other time travel narratives?

A: The film’s unique take on time travel and its exploration of the moral implications of altering history have influenced subsequent movies and TV shows in the genre.

Q: Is The Final Countdown considered a cult classic?

A: Yes, over the years, the film has amassed a dedicated fan base and is often regarded as a cult classic.

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The Final Countdown – Movie Review

The Final Countdown  is a time-travel movie from 1980, starring Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen. It’s often described as an alternative history movie, though technically it isn’t. Despite that, it has gathered a cult following over the years.

The Final Countdown: Title

The title uses a classic title archetype, the Problem, being a reference to the countdown to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

(For more on titles, see How to Choose a Title For Your Novel )

The Final Countdown: Logline

When a modern aircraft carrier arrives near Pearl Harbor in 1941 and discovers the Japanese ready to attack, the time-travellers must decide whether to change history by destroying the Japanese fleet.

(For more on loglines, see The Killogator Logline Formula )

The Final Countdown: Plot Summary

Warning: My plot summaries contain spoilers. Major spoilers are blacked out like this [blackout]secret[/blackout]. To view them, just select/highlight them.

It’s 1980. In the Pearl Harbor naval base, the USS  Nimitz is preparing to leave for a routine patrol of the Pacific. The aircraft carrier is under the command of Captain Matthew Yelland and his second in command, Richard Owens. A Department of Defence attaché, Warren Lasky, joins the ship to observe procedures.

While at sea, a vortex-like phenomenon of unknown origin engulfs the  Nimitz.  When it emerges from the vortex, the  Nimitz has lost contact with Pearl Harbor. Assuming a nuclear war must have broken out, the Captain orders his aircraft to reconnoitre. They return with bizarre photographs of Pearl Harbor—undamaged but full of WW2-era warships.

Shortly after this, the ship’s radar picks up a contact. Two fighter jets investigate and discover WW2 Japanese fighters attacking a civilian yacht. The jets shoot the Japanese fighters down and the  Nimitz  rescues the yacht’s survivors and one of the Japanese pilots. When the survivors board the  Nimitz, Owens recognises Senator Chapman—a politician who disappeared in 1941. Chapman was expected to become Vice President of the United States and so would have become President in 1945 when Franklin Roosevelt died.

Reluctantly, the Captain accepts that the vortex has somehow transported the Nimitz back to the sixth of December 1941: the day before the Japanese attack that started WW2.

Dilemmas and Paradoxes

Further reconnaissance flights reveal the Japanese fleet in position to attack Pearl Harbor. The Captain asks his senior officers their opinions. Owens says Nimitz can easily destroy the Japanese fleet but Lasky argues that tampering with history could be dangerous. Even saving Senator Chapman may mean he becomes President, with unpredictable consequences. Destroying the Japanese fleet could result in the Nimitz never being built, creating a time paradox. The Captain states he has a duty to defend the USA, whichever time he finds himself in.

The Japanese pilot grabs a weapon and takes Senator Chapman prisoner. He demands access to a radio so he can warn the Japanese Fleet about the  Nimitz,  but he’s shot by marines.

Senator Chapman demands a radio to warn Pearl Harbor but, when he contacts the navy base, they don’t believe him. He demands that the Captain allow him to go to Pearl Harbor to warn it in person.

Concerned that Senator Chapman will alter history by becoming President, the Captain orders Owens to drop Chapman on an isolated island, from which someone will eventually rescue him. Owens takes Chapman by helicopter but, realising they’ve tricked him, Chapman grabs a flare gun and fires it, destroying the helicopter. Owens ends up stranded on the island.

Now, the Captain must decide whether to destroy the Japanese fleet, risking a time-paradox, or to stand aside…

Eventually, [blackout]he orders a full-scale strike against the Japanese carriers.[/blackout]

However, [blackout]before the strike reaches the Japanese fleet, the vortex returns, sending the Nimitz and its crew back to 1980.[/blackout]

Back [blackout]in 1980, Lasky meets a much older Owens who, stranded in 1941, has lived through the intervening forty years.

(For more on summarising stories, see How to Write a Novel Synopsis )

The Final Countdown Ending Explained

At the end of the movie, the Nimitz is about to attack the Japanese Fleet. However, before the strike reaches the fleet, the vortex returns and sends the Nimitz and its crew back to 1980. Back in 1980, the Department of Defence attaché who was on the voyage, Lasky, meets a much older man.

The older man is the Nimitz’s second in command, Owens. Owens was last seen in 1941, stranded on the island he was trying to drop the senator on. Owens must have escaped from the island and lived in the USA for the intervening forty years.

It’s then hinted that Owens used his knowledge of future technology to create the  Nimitz and that Lasky knew about this and joined the crew in order to witness events.

So, the man who created the Nimitz was from the Nimitz , a time-travel paradox…

The Final Countdown: Analysis

Alternative History

Some people describe  The Final Countdown as an alternative history movie, but I disagree. I define it as a secret history movie.

In alternative history, a  Point of Departure  occurs: there’s an incident that’s not the same in the alternative world as it was in the real world. Because of that one alteration, more and more things change, creating the alternative history.

As the ‘time vortex’ moving the USS Nimitz to 1941 is a point of departure, The Final Countdown is potentially an alternative history movie. The difference, though, is the scope of the story.

If a time-traveller’s actions:

• Create a new history, then the story is an alternative history.
• Have small-scale or personal consequences only, then the story is a time travel story.
• Create the real world, then the story is a secret history.

If the Nimitz  had stopped the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, then  The Final Countdown would be an alternative history movie, but it doesn’t. This makes  The Final Countdown  a secret history story.

See What is Alternative History for more on alternative history, secret history and other similar story types.

Missed Opportunities

By modern standards,  The Final Countdown is quite a slow movie. There’s a lot of what looks almost like stock footage of aircraft, helicopters and US Navy crewmen just doing their jobs. One sequence of an aircraft making an emergency landing seems to have nothing to do with the rest of the movie.

I also thought that the screenplay didn’t make enough of the danger of a time paradox. It felt to me like the writers got a bit lost in the complexities of the scenario. For example, it makes no sense to isolate Senator Chapman to stop him from changing history, whilst at the same time radically changing history by attacking the Japanese fleet.

Finally, the ending of  The Final Countdown  is an anti-climax. The entire movie feels like it’s setting up a battle between the  Nimitz  and the Japanese fleet. Obviously, the budget didn’t allow for that, and so the movie doesn’t really deliver on the promise it made its audience.

“What would have happened if the Nimitz remained trapped in 1941?” is the alternative history scenario raised, but not entirely delivered, in  The Final Countdown movie . However, fan fiction on AlternateHistory.com has explored that scenario. The stories describe the battles the Nimitz would have fought and look at the issues it would face, such as keeping its reactor going and its aircraft flying with no access to spare parts or fuel.

Similarly, John Birmingham used a related scenario to  The Final Countdown in his alternative history novel  Weapons of Choice.  In  Weapons of Choice, he transports a multinational Task Force from 2021 to 1942, just before the Battle of Midway. The modern ships radically change history, with consequences explored in two further novels.

The manga and anime, Zipang , explores the reverse scenario, in which a modern Japanese destroyer, the JDS Mirai , arrives at the Battle of Midway. In  Zipang,  the Japanese crew attempt to avoid altering history, but find it impossible.

The Final Countdown: My Verdict on the Movie

Worth a watch. Enjoyable enough as it is, but begging for a reboot/reimagining.

Want to Watch It?

The Final Countdown movie is available on Amazon US here  and Amazon UK  here .

The Final Countdown: Sequel and Remake

There have been many rumours of sequels and remakes of the Final Countdown, but no actual movie has emerged so far.

Agree? Disagree?

If you’d like to discuss anything in my  The Final Countdown movie review, please email me.  Otherwise, please feel free to share it using the buttons below.

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The 10 Best Movies About Aircraft Carriers

Vote on the top movies about aircraft carriers or movies that predominately feature an aircraft carrier.

Standing as steel behemoths that effortlessly slice through the ocean's vast expanse, aircraft carriers have long captivated the imagination with their imposing presence and indispensable strategic military role. When it comes to movies about aircraft carriers, these monumental vessels not only serve as a fascinating setting but also become central characters in their own right. From tales of valiant warfare to high-stakes dramas on the high seas, aircraft carrier movies span a variety of genres, appealing to a broad audience.

In these films, the aircraft carrier is more than just a backdrop—it's the heart of the action, a floating microcosm of courage, discipline, and ingenuity. Whether fictional narratives that take us into the heat of battle or historical epics that recount pivotal moments in time, the synergy between storytelling and this naval icon makes for a riveting cinematic experience. Here we compile an arsenal of films that showcase these giants of the seas in all their cinematic glory—some speak to the human spirit in times of conflict, while others indulge our appetite for adrenaline and adventure. Explore the heart-pounding world within these maritime marvels with our list of the best movies about aircraft carriers - and be sure to vote on the list to help it become a crowdranked list.

• Paramount Pictures

The Hunt for Red October

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Pearl Harbor

The Final Countdown

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Top Gun: Maverick

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Behind Enemy Lines

Under Siege

Flight of the Intruder

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Looking closer at some of the best, most realistic, most brutal depictions of war in the history of entertainment.

"We waste our money so you don't have to."

"We waste our money, so you don't have to."

Movie Review

The final countdown.

US Release Date: 08-01-1980

Directed by: Don Taylor

Starring ▸ ▾

• Kirk Douglas ,  as
• Capt. Matthew Yelland
• Martin Sheen ,  as
• Warren Lasky
• Katharine Ross ,  as
• Laurel Scott
• James Farentino ,  as
• Cdr. Richard Owens
• Ron O'Neal ,  as
• Cdr. Dan Thurman
• Charles Durning ,  as
• Senator Samuel Chapman
• Victor Mohica ,  as
• Black Cloud
• James Coleman ,  as
• Soon-Tek Oh as

Martin Sheen, James Farentino and Kirk Douglas in The Final Countdown

There are two key questions to any time travel film where someone travels back in time. The first is, will the person's actions affect the future. The second is, how will the person use their knowledge of history. Even if those questions never get answered, they must at least be posed in any good time travel film.

The Final Countdown asks both of these questions. It also has the addition of (then) modern technology going back in time as well. If you are a history or military buff this film is for you. Shortly after leaving port in Hawaii, the U.S.S. Nimitz runs into a strange electrical storm that sends the entire nuclear aircraft carrier back in time to the day before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

Martin Sheen plays Lasky, a civilian aboard the ship of nearly 6,000 servicemen. He and the captain, played by Kirk Douglas, along with a couple of other officers, must figure out what has happened to them after the carrier passed through the storm. All communication from Hawaii has stopped. The radio is only picking up golden oldies from 1941. Some reconnaissance jets witness a private yacht get strafed by some Japanese fighters. The jets engage them in one of the most lopsided aerial dogfights ever put on film. The two yacht survivors and a downed Japanese pilot are picked up by helicopter and brought aboard the Nimitz.

Meanwhile, other recon has been done and they discover the huge approaching Japanese fleet. Although the prisoner of war causes some trouble when he is on board. The real meat of the story is the question it proposes. If you are the captain, do you utilize the power you control, 80-90 aircraft, to help change the outcome of one of the greatest defeats in U.S. history, or do you leave it alone? You could save thousands of lives but at what future cost?

The Final Countdown was produced by Peter Douglas. It was intended as a family project with his father and brother starring. Michael was however, still obligated to The China Syndrome when filming began. The most interesting casting for me was that real sailors aboard The Nimitz were used in small roles and as extras. I was stationed with a sailor who appears in this film. He even has a line of dialogue.

Although I found myself enjoying The Final Countdown , it works better as a conversation than it actually does as a film. The movie is book ended by the presence of a mysterious person who is revealed at the last moment. It is not hard to guess who it is, but it does present a better scenario. Had the film been told entirely from his perspective, the movie could have had a much better narrative. As it is, The Final Countdown is little more than a strip show. We get excited by the possibilities, but in the end have to find satisfaction somewhere else.

Kirk Douglas in The Final Countdown .

The Final Countdown plays like a recruitment tool for the U.S. Navy. In fact it was used as such. The maritime force sponsored the premiere and displayed the movie's poster in branch recruitment offices. As Eric mentioned, many of the extras seen in the movie were actual sailors and pilots. Unfortunately too much time is spent showing these various fighter jets taking off and landing on the aircraft carrier. Military buffs may find this fascinating but for the average viewer it gets a bit monotonous.

Kirk Douglas was nearing the end of his run as a leading man. He was 63 years old at the time and had been making movies in Hollywood since 1946, the year after WWII ended. Incredibly enough he is still living as of this writing. He turns 97 in December and last appeared in a movie in 2008. It's worth noting that both he and Martin Sheen have famous acting offspring. In fact, Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen would work together in Oliver Stone's Wall Street in 1987.

The time travel aspect is fairly intriguing but like all time travel movies the logic doesn't add up. You just have to accept the idea that each of us has an infinite number of selves that can coexist at any given point in time. The mysterious benefactor's identity is one example. SPOILER ALERT: At the beginning of the movie, in 1980, he is an old man but is also, at the same time, aboard the ship as a younger man.

Also there is never any attempt to explain the phenomenon of the bizarre storm that sends them through time in the first place. And why does it conveniently show back up just as the battle is about to begin? And how does it know to deposit them back at the right date in 1980? Again, these are all details it's best not to think about.

The most entertaining aspect of the movie is the juxtaposition of technology and weaponry as it existed in 1980 against WWII era technology and weaponry. Since this film was made with the complete cooperation of the United States Military it includes dozens of actual aircraft. Military geeks can probably name them all. Today they would use CGI to recreate all these airplanes. Personally I prefer the days when they used the real thing. It is the most noteworthy aspect of The Final Countdown as it captured the state of the art of war in 1980.

Photos © Copyright The Bryna Company (1980)

© 2000 - 2017 Three Movie Buffs. All Rights Reserved.

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Film / The Final Countdown

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The Final Countdown is a 1980 Science Fiction film about Time Travel directed by Don Taylor.

Warren Lasky ( Martin Sheen ), a civilian analyst for a major defense contractor tasked with evaluating Navy procedures, is an unwelcome guest on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz , which is departing Pearl Harbor for an otherwise routine cruise. A few days into the cruise, things change when the carrier is suddenly pursued and overtaken by a mysterious electromagnetic storm. Emerging from the storm, the sailors find themselves cut off from modern civilization — their communications don't work, their escorts have vanished, and there are no ships or planes on radar. However, they are able to pick up shortwave radio broadcasts that seem to date from World War II .

Further investigation reveals that it's no hoax; they have somehow been transported back in time — carrier, planes, and all — to December 6, 1941. Captain Matt Yelland ( Kirk Douglas ), not being an idiot, realizes the potential of a modern nuclear carrier to turn the tide of the forthcoming Pearl Harbor battle. Air Wing Commander "CAG" Richard Owens (James Farentino) is not so certain, believing that it's impossible to alter the past and that any attempt would be doomed to failure.

Meanwhile, the ship's aircraft have shot down two Japanese Zero fighters that attacked a yacht (part of the Japanese forces' attempts to ensure that nobody could warn the U.S. of the impending attack), and two survivors have been rescued, one of whom turns out to be U.S. Senator Samuel Chapman ( Charles Durning ). Commander Owens, an amateur World War II historian, recognizes the Senator as having disappeared around the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. More crucially, had he not disappeared, he would likely have been Franklin Delano Roosevelt's running mate in the 1944 election and on his subsequent death, President of the United States.

Now they have a dilemma. Return Senator Chapman to Pearl Harbor, and not only can he alter history by becoming President, but now he's seen Nimitz and thinks that it's part of a secret weapons program intended to trap the Japanese and make FDR a hero. Don't return him, and they've kidnapped or possibly murdered a public official of the United States. Amid the preparations for the upcoming battle, it's decided to compromise: drop the Senator and his beautiful assistant, Laurel Scott ( Katharine Ross ), off on a deserted island where they can ride out the war. Needless to say, Chapman isn't too happy when he finds out. Nor, it seems, is history changed so easily, as the time storm puts in one final appearance...

For the same initial premise with the sides reversed, see Zipang where a modern Japanese Aegis destroyer named the JDS Mirai gets inexplicably teleported back to the Battle of Midway. And for a similar premise with much more wide-reaching effects, see John Birmingham's Axis of Time novels. Author Peter Albano would reverse the premise with the first book of his The Seventh Carrier series, where a Japanese ship attacking Pearl Harbor is trapped in the arctic, but after getting out several decades later still charges ahead to finish its original mission and attack Pearl Harbor all over again.

The Final Countdown provides examples of:

• Alien Space Bats : How the time storm comes to exist, how it works, and why it's targeting Nimitz is left completely unexplained. The Martin Caidin novelization implies that it would be explained in a sequel, which never happened.
• But, Mr. Tideman is Commander Owens with 40 years of foreknowledge. He's become extremely wealthy and extremely powerful. He can pull strings in a godlike manner and could have somehow arranged these unlikely events, with the absolute knowledge that they will occur . Though, that doesn't explain why nobody seems terribly bothered by the situation.
• Mostly averted due to Navy backing, but the final scene substituted the USS Kitty Hawk , as at the time the movie was filmed Nimitz was part of the Atlantic fleet, which would've made sailing into Pearl Harbor somewhat difficult.
• When Nimitz goes to General Quarters, there is a dramatic scene of Marines jumping over the ship's anchor chains. The trouble is, this room (the forecastle) is at the very front of the ship where Marines are not quartered, and the men are simply running from port to starboard.
• The yacht, despite supposedly being in the open ocean, is quite clearly tethered at both ends.
• The finale shows the real dock of Nimitz : trouble is, in the final scene the limousine is going to drive off the end of it and into the ocean.
• Audience Surrogate : Lasky is the " The Everyman " stand-in for the audience.
• Bang, Bang, BANG : During the hostage crisis in Nimitz 's sickbay, the people seem more shaken by the bloodshed than by the effects of multiple assault rifles being fired on full auto in a small room.
• In the beginning, a limousine stops near Lasky on the quay. Mr. Tideman, Lasky's employer, is in the limousine, but Lasky cannot meet him directly. In the end, Lasky encounters the same limousine on the same quay, but this time, he is allowed to meet Mr. Tideman, who is actually Commander Owens .
• In the beginning, the USS Nimitz is overtaken by a mysterious electromagnetic storm, while one of its fighters is not on board. After the storm, the fighter appears in the sky and lands on the carrier. In the end, the USS Nimitz is overtaken by the same electromagnetic storm, while all of its fighters are not on board. After the storm, all the fighters appear in the sky and land on the carrier.
• Born in the Wrong Century : Commander Owens.
• Bullet Time : The explosion of one of the Zeroes when hit by a Sidewinder missile from an F-14 is slowed down for several moments.
• Buzz Job : A pair of Tomcats start "playing with" a pair of Zeros, starting with speeding by them so close the Japanese planes are thrown around by their wakes.
• The Coconut Effect : Averted with the dogfight scene. Many people don't seem to know what a minigun really sounds like, and might mistake the realistic sound in the movie, given most other movies greatly slow down the firing of such guns to make them sound more dramatic.
• Coming in Hot : A fighter pilot incapacitated by the time storm makes a crash landing on the carrier.
• Cool Boat : USS Nimitz , first ship of her class, and the largest warship in the world at the time. As can be seen from the poster, the Nimitz and her aircraft are the real stars of the movie.
• Cool Plane : The Grumman F-14 Tomcat, the most advanced fighter in the American arsenal at the time. Showcased on film for the first time, six years before a more popular film made it more famous. Extra points for the "Jolly Rogers" of VF-84 being the F-14 squadron most prominently featured (with their iconic skull & crossbones tail flash). Every aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 8 makes an appearance in the movie, including the RF-8 Crusader.
• Curb-Stomp Battle : Two F-14 Tomcats (Victory note  VF-84's tactical callsign is "Victory," so any VF-84 Tomcat would be identified as "Victory [side number]. Since VF-84 was deactivated in 1995, VFA-103 has inherited the Jolly Rogers' history, colors, and tactical callsign. CVW-8's other F-14 squadron aboard Nimitz , VF-41 "Black Aces", uses the callsign "Fast Eagle" 202 and 203 of VF-84) versus two A6M Zeros. Heavily lampshaded . Nimitz 's air wing would have similarly shredded the Japanese attack force, but never gets a chance.
• Explosive Instrumentation : Control panels can be seen shorting out and throwing showers of sparks during the time travel sequences. Thankfully not many of the crew seem to be injured by these malfunctions.
• Fighter-Launching Sequence : The film is replete with these; the very first shot of the film starts off with an F-14 taking off from (the modern-day) Pearl Harbor airfield. There are also numerous shots of Navy warplanes taking off and landing on Nimitz , including one scene where the strike group sent to attack the Japanese fleet is launched, which takes several minutes to play out.
• Senator Chapman, dumbfounded by the Nimitz , jet fighters and helicopters.
• Commander Owen , who probably used his future knowledge to become head of a Department of Defense supplier.
• Gatling Good : One of the Zeroes is brought down by a burst from a Tomcat's M61 Vulcan; a 6-barreled, 20mm rotary cannon which has been the go-to gun armament for almost every US fighter jet since Vietnam.
• The Gloves Come Off : Yelland is content to let his F-14's harass and distract the two Zeros in order to prevent them from strafing people in the water, but he specifically tells them not to fire on the planes. Until, that is, he's informed that the Zeros are on a intercept course with the Nimitz , whose flight deck is packed with aircraft. He promptly orders his pilots to eliminate the planes.
• Grandfather Paradox : Discussed and a reason not to use Nimitz to win World War II in a matter of weeks. Besides the issue of changing the fates of millions of people and possibly preventing some of the crew's parents from meeting, Nimitz itself is in danger. A swift end to World War II means no Manhattan Project, which in turn means Hyman Rickover never gets the chance to start the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program, which means no nuclear powered USS Nimitz .
• Gratuitous Japanese : Commander Owen does this when revealing his knowledge of the impending Pearl Harbor attack to the Japanese pilot. Owen: Your code is: climb mount Niitaka. Niitaka-yama nobore!
• Guns Akimbo : A Japanese pilot does this during the hostage situation mentioned below; brandishing both an M1911A1 pistol and an M16A1 rifle.
• Hollywood Tactics : At the end, Yelland orders the entire carrier air fleet to intercept the Japanese aircraft, intending to prevent them from ever reaching Pearl Harbor. Impressive and formidable... but also completely unnecessary and even stupid from a tactical perspective. As far as he knows, the Nimitz is trapped in the past. The modern-day carrier is a formidable weapon... only as long as it remains operational. While the nuclear engines can last years, the carrier only has a very limited amount of jet fuel, spare parts, munitions, etc. Once they're consumed, there aren't any replacements. The smart thing for him to do is use the absolute minimum amount of force necessary to get the job done, and make his limited resources last as long as possible. Instead of launching all his aircraft, a couple of A-6 Intruders armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles could have destroyed all the Japanese carriers. He already knows where they are and what their schedule is, and the Intruders could have caught them when they were ready to launch all the aircraft and their flight decks were packed with planes and fuel. Not only would they have not known what hit them, they would never have even known it was there in the first place...
• Yelland plans to use Nimitz to turn the tide of Pearl Harbor because he's a U.S. Navy captain and obligated to defend his country, never mind the paradoxes it would create.
• Inverted when Yelland allows two Japanese Zeros to attack and sink a civilian ship flying a US flag, then strafe the survivors in the water.
• Hostage Situation : Happens when a surviving Japanese pilot overpowers a guard and grabs not one, but two guns.
• Improbable Infant Survival : Played with; the Japanese pilot points one of his commandeered guns at Laurel's dog as it runs out of the sickbay, but the only reason he doesn't shoot it is because he's distracted by Laurel shouting at him not to. The dog also survived the yacht getting blown up, while several other people were killed during the Zero attack.
• Jerkass : Senator Samuel S. Chapman. Being a Strawman Pacifist also doesn't help his case. He does have several Jerkass Has a Point moments though. He isn't wrong to be frustrated about why he's being Locked Out of the Loop by the ship's crew about who they are and what's happening, and does want to warn Pearl Harbor about the impending attack as soon as he hears about it.
• Although the US aircraft are, indeed, correct (see above, about Pentagon backing and filming aboard the actual USS Nimitz ), the A6Ms were really T-6 "Texan" trainers (to be exact, Navy SNJ models). T-6 "Texans" being rather easier to come by than intact and flyable A6M Zeros. They actually do look just about perfect from the side, but the T-6's distinctive wing profile can be seen when they try to maneuver against the Tomcats.
• While the Tomcat vs. Zero dogfight looks awesome, it was also massively impractical : The T-6 Texans mocked up as Zeroes were flying at full speed, while the Tomcats were nearly stalling. It's worth noting that the Zero's top speed was about 150mph faster than the T-6, not that it would've done them any good against 4th-Generation jet fighters.
• The Last Title : The title.
• Law of Time Travel Coincidences : The nuclear aircraft carrier U.S.S. Nimitz is near Hawaii when it's transported through time by an electromagnetic storm. It ends up a short time before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.
• Let's Get Dangerous! : At first the F-14s just fly circles around the pair of Zeros, until they get the order to "splash the Zeros," and then they stop fooling around, leading to the Curb-Stomp Battle mentioned above.
• Lock-and-Load Montage : Right before the Japanese are about to attack Pearl Harbor, Captain Yelland orders all fighter aircraft armed and fueled. The crew works furiously to get all the planes loaded with missiles and launched into the air.
• The helicopter near the end explodes in a hilariously huge fireball because a flare gun is accidentally discharged near the doors.
• Inverted with the second Zero during the dogfight scene; the real-life A6M Zero was a notorious Fragile Speedster , yet when hit by a burst of 20mm shells from the F-14's cannon note  Which we might add shoots at 6 thousand rounds per minute , it suffers little more than a knocked-out engine and crashes into the ocean largely intact. note  Ironically, in real life, the Sidewinder would've been the one most likely to disable a Zero, while the M61 Cannon would've just shredded one.
• Mass Teleportation : It's a very convenient Mass Teleportation as well, taking Nimitz and her nearby aircraft in each case, but not her escort ships or anybody else.
• Mile-Long Ship : Nimitz is introduced by the camera traversing the length of the ship. While not actually a mile long (just shy of 1,100 feet bow to stern), it’s a real vessel, and all the more impressive for it.
• Just look at the faces of the Japanese pilots when the F-14s scream past them, it's priceless .
• Also the reaction of the surviving Japanese pilot after Commander Owen reveals in explicit detail that they know the Japanese plans for the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Our Time Travel Is Different : The wormhole version.
• Senator Chapman yelling for Harvey, the waiter from the yacht to ditch his life jacket and dive in order to avoid the Japanese strafing run before doing so himself. Unfortunately, Harvey is unable to follow this advice due to not knowing how to swim.
• The second time the Nimitz goes through the time vortex, Lassky can be seen holding his hands over the dog's ears to try to help the dog.
• Pistol Whip : Happens twice; first when the Japanese pilot hits a Marine in the gut with the butt of his own rifle, then later on when Senator Chapman cold-cocks a helicopter crewman with a flare pistol.
• Poor Communication Kills : Had they told the civvies the plan, it might have avoided at least four deaths.
• Reasonable Authority Figure : Captain Yelland is pretty accommodating to Lasky, and doesn't get into heated debates with others as they try to figure out what was going on. He even surprisingly agrees to let the Japanese pilot use their radio to contact his fleet, and later orders a helicopter to take Senator Chapman and Laurel back to Pearl Harbor, even if it was just to get them off his ship and in a relatively safe area on a remote Hawaiian island.
• Red Alert : There are two General Quarters scramble scenes; following the first time storm, and again when arming up the strike group to engage the Japanese fleet. Only the first one includes the blaring klaxon though.
• Semper Fi : US Marines can be seen acting as security personnel onboard Nimitz , as per their traditional role aboard Navy ships.
• Set Right What Once Went Wrong : Does Nimitz cause the Stable Time Loop by rescuing Senator Chapman? Commander Owens certainly thinks so.
• Shown Their Work : Despite being a science fiction/fantasy film, this movie has one of the most accurate portrayals of aircraft carrier flight operations that you are likely to find, complete with correct radio callsigns for the squadrons that appear.
• The Slow Path : Commander Owens, after being stranded on the island, takes the long way back to the present, resulting in The Reveal that he parlayed his knowledge of the future to set up the Stable Time Loop — in part, by getting Lasky aboard for that particular voyage.
• Spy Ship : The USS Nimitz task force is shadowed by a Soviet-flagged "fishing trawler" that isn't doing much fishing.
• Stable Time Loop : Perfectly wrapped up by The Reveal at the end, making this one of the "stabler" time loops in filmmaking.
• Many of the aircraft scenes. Of course, many were actually shot on the real life Nimitz , making this only a partial example. During the second Time Travel sequence, stock footage of the Pearl Harbor attack is shown.
• Some of the scenes glimpsed there are taken from Tora! Tora! Tora! rather than the actual Pearl Harbor attack.
• Supporting Protagonist : Lasky is the primary point of view character, but his role is passive — he is, after all, an "observer". The heroic actions are mainly taken by Yellen and Owens. It turns out that Lasky's purpose is to be the key to the Stable Time Loop .
• Swirly Energy Thingy : The time warp.
• Temporal Sickness : Passage through the time storm is extremely disorienting to everyone on Nimitz , with everyone covering their ears and screaming as if being blasted by a deafening noise. It's also hell on the ship's electronics, but they don't seem too badly damaged afterwards.
• Time Travel
• Time-Travel Tense Trouble : Owens: I'm not half the theorist you are, Mr. Lasky. But I still have a gut instinct that things only happen once. And if they have happened, then there's nothing we can do to change them. Nor should we try. Lasky: Well, how are you going to avoid it? It's already happening, and we're already involved! Thurman: For Christ's sake! What is this, some half-assed Princeton debating society? We are in a war situation! This is a United States warship! Or, at least, it used to be. Or will be. Or what the hell ever! Oh, Goddammit, you can drive yourself crazy just trying to think about this stuff! Jesus, I must be dreaming!
• There Is No Kill Like Overkill : One of the Mitsubishi A6M Zeros is shot down with a short burst of gun fire from a Grumman F-14 Tomcat. The other is blown clear out of the sky by the other F-14 using an AIM -9 Sidewinder missile.
• The Unfought : The Japanese task force (with the exception of the two Zeroes). Even lampshaded by a couple of US pilots. Pilot 1: Mission aborted? But we can see 'em! Pilot 2: Ah they're gonna let the Japs do it again!"
• What Happened to the Mouse? : The pilot who makes the emergency barricade landing on the carrier after the first time storm is never seen or mentioned again, leaving the viewer to wonder what becomes of him.
• You Already Changed the Past : All their worrying about changing the future is for naught because... they're doing exactly what happened in the first place. Nimitz was always there at the time of Pearl Harbor.
• You Can't Fight Fate : The time storm sure is persistent. It's lampshaded by Captain Yelland, who immediately guesses that the storm has reappeared to take them home and recalls the carrier's aircraft so they won't be stranded. Senator Chapman also still dies mysteriously when he fires off the flare gun he stole which causes the helicopter he was on to explode.
• You Wouldn't Believe Me If I Told You : Not the precise words, but occurs twice - once when Commander Owens is trying to avoid explaining their presence in 1941 to Laurel and Sen. Chapman; and again after Nimitz has returned to Pearl, as admirals are storming aboard to demand to know how an entire aircraft carrier got lost in the Pacific Ocean.
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How the Navy Stole the Show In a Movie About the USS Nimitz Going Back in Time to 1941

Ever wonder how history might have been different if the U.S. Navy had a modern supercarrier when the Japanese were attacking Pearl Harbor? You (apparently) aren’t alone. The 1980 film “The Final Countdown” (almost) shows us how it might have gone down.

Today, the USS Nimitz is the oldest-serving aircraft carrier in the world, first being launched in 1972. Even today, it is one of the largest warships afloat. In 1979, when “The Final Countdown” was filmed, it was something the Navy was excited to show off, so it agreed to fully support the movie.

The plot of “The Final Countdown” is pretty simple, especially for a movie about time travel. While on a routine cruise, the carrier and its F-14 Tomcats experience an electrical storm and somehow find themselves transported back to Dec. 6, 1941, but aren’t immediately aware of that fact.

The ship loses radio contact with its command at Pearl Harbor, and Capt. Matthew Yelland (Kirk Douglas) is led to believe that the installation was destroyed by a nuclear first strike from the Soviet Union -- because whose first thought would be that they accidentally went back in time?

Yelland starts to suspect when aerial reconnaissance images come back showing the U.S. Navy’s Battleship Row at Pearl Harbor. The suspicion intensifies when two F-14 Tomcats are dispatched to intercept a surface contact and instead watch a civilian yacht get strafed by Japanese Zeros.

The Zeros make their way toward the Nimitz, and we finally get to see the anachronistic Hollywood portrayal of F-14s taking down 1940s-era Japanese fighter aircraft. Sadly, this is as close as we get to watching the Nimitz litter the ocean floor with the Japanese fleet. Spoiler alert: Yelland decides to attack, but the time-travel storm returns and sends the ship back to 1980.

Not only is there a lot of sexy shots of the Nimitz in this movie, but other Navy aircraft, especially the F-14 Tomcat, get shown off as well. Admittedly, the F-14 sequences are more inspirational than anything you’ll see in “Top Gun” (fight me). It was practically the Navy’s movie, highlighting everything that is Forged by the Sea.

Sailors from the carrier (some sporting totally legal 1979-era beards) were used as extras and received acting credits. Apart from the F-14, nine other aircraft were used or featured in the film in some way.

But the filming wasn’t completely free from incidents. At least one film crew was tossed down the Nimitz runway by the sheer power of being too close to a Tomcat takeoff. The Zeros used in the film were replicas whose lives were nearly cut short when the propeller planes got caught in the wake of an F-14’s jet wash.

The movie didn’t get great reviews, but the Navy sure did. Even famed film critic Roger Ebert noticed that “the biggest element of interest is the aircraft carrier itself” and liked the depiction of Navy life aboard the Nimitz more than the story itself.

After the reel-life production of “The Final Countdown,” the USS Nimitz had to get back to real life, cruising to the Persian Gulf. Its next assignment was an attempt to rescue the staff of the U.S. embassy in Tehran during the Iran Hostage Crisis.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at [email protected] . He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook .

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The Final Countdown

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Product Description

English Summary: The Final Countdown is a 1980 alternate history science fiction film about a modern aircraft carrier that travels through time to the day before the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Produced by Peter Vincent Douglas and directed by Don Taylor, the film stars Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, James Farentino, Katharine Ross and Charles Durning. This was Taylor's final film. Produced with the full cooperation of the United States Navy, set and filmed on board the actual USS Nimitz supercarrier, The Final Countdown was a moderate success at the box office. Hungarian Summary: A Nimitz atommeghajtású anyahajó váratlanul irdatlan erejű elektromos ciklonba keveredik. Amikor kijutnak a viharból, lassacskán rá kell döbbenniük, hogy csaknem fél évszázadot utaztak vissza az időben, s belecsöppentek a második világháborúba, Pearl Harbor lebombázásának előestéjén. Képes-e a legkorszerűbb fegyverekkel felszerelt "úszó erőd" megakadályozni a támadást, és döntő fordulatot adni az eseményeknek?

Product details

• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ Unrated (Not Rated)
• Director ‏ : ‎ Don Taylor
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ PAL
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 98 minutes
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katharine Ross, James Farentino, Ron O'Neal
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ Hungarian
• Producers ‏ : ‎ Peter Vincent Douglas
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Optical House Inc.
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07R6XSM71

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Eisenhower carrier strike group deployment extended

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike group that for months has launched crucial strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen to protect military and commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden will remain in the region for at least another month, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the order last week to extend the four ships’ deployment for a second time, rather than bring the carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower , and its three warships home. The other ships in the strike group are the USS Philippine Sea, a cruiser, and two destroyers, the USS Gravely and the USS Mason. All together they include about 6,000 sailors.

All the Houthi-US Navy incidents in the Middle East (that we know of)

A non-exhaustive, running list of houthi attacks in the middle east and the u.s. strikes back at them..

The decision means the sailors and the carrier’s air wing won’t be home until the middle of the summer, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a decision not made public. The officials declined to provide exact dates.

A normal ship deployment lasts for about seven months, and the ships left their homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, in October. Austin approved the first order to extend their deployment about four weeks ago.

Austin had weighed the decision for a further extension for some time. Navy leaders routinely press to bring ships home in order to maintain a repair schedule and give sailors a needed break. But U.S. Central Command leaders have long argued that having a carrier in the region is critical for international security, including as a deterrent to Iran.

In recent months, the ships have played a critical role in protecting commercial and military vessels from a dramatic surge in attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. And officials say that a significant U.S. naval commitment to the region sends a strong signal to the commercial shipping industry that vessels can get protection as they travel the crucial transit route through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

About 12% of the world’s trade typically passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics.

The Houthis have attacked ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas . But the ships targeted by the Houthis have largely had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. The rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted.

The Eisenhower and its strike group have been involved in routine operations against the Houthis all year. They also have participated in five major joint missions with British forces to target dozens of the militant group’s drones, missile launchers and other facilities and targets.

U.S. forces recently engaged two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles fired in the direction of USS Gravely, CENTCOM said in a statement Saturday.

The missiles “were destroyed in self-defense, with no damage or injuries reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships,” CENTCOM said.

The ships are also spearheading Operation Prosperity Guardian, which was announced by Austin in December as a multinational mission to ensure security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

On Thursday, for example, F/A-18 fighter jets off the Eisenhower struck an array of targets in Yemen, in response to a recent increase in attacks by the group. And other ships in the strike group also launched missiles as part of the operation.

Any decision to bring the carrier home would leave the region without the ship-based fighter jets, and commanders would have to rely more heavily on land-based aircraft or other warships, which don’t have fighter jets, to take out Houthi drones or other munitions that are preparing to launch.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Lauren Chatmas, the strike group’s aircraft have flown more than 12,100 sorties, totaling over 27,200 flight hours, and they’ve launched more than 350 air-to-surface weapons and more than 50 air-to-air missiles. The warships have each traveled more than 55,000 miles, and they’ve launched more than 100 Standard and Tomahawk missiles. In all, the strike group has gone after about 430 either pre-planned or dynamic targets in its mission to defend U.S., coalition and merchant ships.

Military Times Night and Weekend Editor Beth Sullivan contributed to this story.

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The US Navy carrier strike group fighting off Houthi missiles is staying in the Red Sea for now

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has spent months defending ships from Houthi attacks.

The strike group's deployment has just been extended, keeping the warships in the Middle East.

It comes as the Red Sea conflict shows no signs of slowing down.

The US Navy carrier strike group that has spent months fighting the Houthis from the Red Sea will be staying in the region for a little while longer, as the Iran-backed rebels continue attacking shipping lanes.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group — which consists of the aircraft carrier Ike, the cruiser USS Philippine Sea, and the two destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason — recently had its restless deployment extended, a US defense official told Business Insider on Tuesday.

It is the latest signal from the Pentagon that a US naval presence is still very much needed in the region to counter the Houthis. American forces are routinely tasked with intercepting missiles and drones launched by the rebels, who have relentlessly targeted ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin first directed the strike group to the Middle East in late October, shortly after the warships left their homeport in Virginia. The move followed an outburst of violence across the region that was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel and the latter's subsequent retaliatory assault in Gaza.

Austin extended the strike group's deployment a few weeks ago. He then extended it again in May, according to the Associated Press, which first reported on the development last week. The Ike will now remain in the region for at least another month, and it's unclear when, exactly, the strike group will ultimately return home.

The deployment extension comes as the conflict shows no signs of slowing down.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers in May that the Houthis will likely remain active for "some time" and that Iran — the group's main backer — is unlikely to stop providing support. She also said US and coalition airstrikes targeting the militants in Yemen have been insufficient at eliminating the threat.

American and British forces have conducted several rounds of joint strikes targeting the Houthis since January. Just last week, for instance, the two militaries hit more than a dozen targets in Yemen. More frequently, though, US forces have unilaterally carried out preemptive strikes targeting Houthi missiles and drones as they are being prepared for launch against nearby ships.

The Eisenhower strike group has already expended more than 500 munitions during its deployment, striking the Houthis in Yemen and engaging their threats, according to Navy officials. This figure includes a collection of air-to-surface, air-to-air, surface-to-air, and land-attack munitions.

After months in this high-tempo combat environment, the Ike and Gravely made a brief port visit earlier in the spring at US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece, where they were resupplied and rearmed , before returning to the Middle East to continue their maritime security mission.

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, meanwhile, disclosed in April that the Navy had fired nearly $1 billion worth of munitions battling the Houthis over the previous six months. The figure has only gone up in the weeks since, with attacks and interceptions continuing on a routine basis, underscoring the growing financial cost of the American naval presence in this ongoing conflict.

In the past week alone, the Houthis have launched dozens of drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles at targets in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Some of the threats were shot down by US forces, while others landed in the water, but at least one commercial ship was struck by missiles.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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FEANIX ‘Remote Carrier’ Aims To Be The Ultra-Adaptable Missile Of The Future

German contractor Diehl Defense has unveiled a new ‘remote carrier’ — a missile-like store that can be launched from aircraft, as well as from land and sea platforms. The long-range system, known as FEANIX, which stands for Future Effector — Adaptable, Networked, Intelligent, eXpendable, is being pitched as an adjunct to the pan-European Future Combat Air System ( FCAS ) next-generation air combat program, as well as for the in-service Eurofighter Typhoon .

Diehl revealed FEANIX for the first time in model form at the ILA Berlin aerospace show that’s taking place this week in the German capital, which TWZ attended.

The company classes FEANIX as a Light Remote Carrier, referencing the series of connected platforms that are envisaged as part of FCAS and which will work alongside crewed New Generation Fighters (NGF). The plan is for remote carriers of different sizes and capabilities to act as complementary sensors, effectors, and decision-making nodes.

In a press release, Diehl states that FEANIX will be less than 13 feet long, although a placard displayed alongside a full-scale mockup said it would be less than 11.5 feet long. Either way, it’s intended to weigh less than 660 pounds.

Looking much like a standoff missile, the design of FEANIX stresses low observability, featuring a prominent chine-line that wraps around the edge of the weapon. The faceted nose has three windows for infrared and/or electro-optical sensors, while a pair of pop-out wings are fitted below the body. The tail surfaces comprise a single ventral fin and a pair of horizontal stabilizers.

The modular nature of FEANIX means that it will be able to carry a range of different payloads, including a warhead when it’s being used in a cruise-missile-type role. There is no suggestion, at this stage, that it will accommodate smaller munitions or even other drones . While that could be a possibility at some point, the FEANIX is currently envisaged to be a disposal store. However, it will also be able to accommodate non-kinetic payloads, including sensors for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and targeting, and electronic warfare systems .

Whatever the mission, however, FEANIX is planned to be expendable, and employed in large numbers, boosting ‘combat mass ,’ something that will require it to be affordable. Using this concept, the “risk to crews in their expensive platforms is significantly reduced,” Diehl claims.

In terms of performance, Diehl’s Alexander Brugger told TWZ that the turbojet-powered FEANIX will fly at subsonic speeds and will be able to achieve a maximum range in the region of 300 miles, putting it in the same category as the German-Swedish Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile, for example. However, the range of FEANIX will depend heavily on the flight profile and launch parameters, too.

Diehl talks about FEANIX employing “networking and swarming ” capabilities and that it plans for its Light Remote Carrier to “operate highly automated and independent of the carrier system.” The company doesn’t provide details of how it will achieve these levels of autonomy.

The company has said that it aims for FEANIX to become operational ‘well before the FCAS realization period of 2040+,’ while another Diehl official told TWZ that the remote carrier could be in service in the 2030s.

This would tie in with models of the Typhoon displayed at ILA with examples of FEANIX carried under its wings, two per pylon.

Airbus, too, has intimated it wants to incorporate “first-generation” remote carriers with the Typhoon as part of the manned-unmanned teaming component of the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) effort. LTE also encompasses improved cockpit and connectivity, new sensors, and new weapons.

The remote carrier is also intended to fit within the internal weapons bays of forthcoming NGF crewed fighters. Another model at ILA showed this aircraft armed with a pair of FEANIX, as well as two of Diehl’s Future Combat Air-to-Air Missile ( FCAAM ), a radical, stealthy development of the IRIS-T missile.

https://www.twitter.com/GarethJennings3/status/1798028483526049946

For some time now, remote carriers have been talked about as a key facet within the pan-European FCAS program.

In the Airbus vision of FCAS, remote carriers will operate in close cooperation with crewed aircraft, with larger transport aircraft serving as ‘motherships,’ bringing up to 50 small or as many as 12 heavy remote carriers “as close as possible to their areas of operation before releasing.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBK7jIecj-I

It’s worth noting that Airbus has even more ambitious plans for airborne adjuncts beyond the remote carriers, chiefly the Wingman program, which looks to bring a higher-performance, stealth-fighter-like drone capability into the broader FCAS ecosystem. A concept model for Wingman also debuted at ILA this week.

Diehl confirmed to TWZ that air-launch options for FEANIX will also include the potential to deliver it from the rear ramp of transport aircraft, likely to include the Airbus A400M, a concept that has been tested in the past and which has some parallels with the U.S. Air Force’s Rapid Dragon program.

Furthermore, however, FEANIX is intended to be launched from land and sea platforms, via a standard vertical launch system. This would require an additional booster to launch the remote carrier before the turbojet can take over, although the company didn’t provide any more details of the launch system.

As it stands, Diehl has ambitious plans for FEANIX and for remote carriers in general, describing these as “the missiles of the future in operational, overall joint forces operations.” As well as delivering effects — whether lethal or non-lethal — at long distances, remote carriers are also seen as vital means of ‘outsourcing’ functions and capabilities that would be simply too much for a human pilot to handle in highly complex future warfare scenarios.

Overall, FEANIX is indicative of the growing interest in attritable or at least lower-cost air systems that are increasingly bridging the gap between air-launched munitions and drones, some of which are intended to leverage artificial intelligence to enable them to work alongside crewed fighters . In the United States, meanwhile, we recently reported on plans to test ‘cheap’ long-range cruise missile designs that would be used by the Air Force, especially in a future conflict with China in the Pacific. While the nomenclature is different, FEANIX would appear to fit into a similar category.

Of course, there will be plenty more twists and turns in the FCAS program before any kind of hardware starts to be deployed. Visions may change and priorities altered to meet new and emerging threats. At the same time, while remote carriers are seen as being a central aspect of the FCAS systems of systems, FEANIX is just one of several prospective designs emerging to meet that requirement.

In the case of Diehl, the German company is banking on the potential offered by a smaller and less exquisite Light Remote Carrier, which could prove to be a compelling addition to current combat aircraft, as well as the next-generation platforms due to enter service in the 2030s and 2040s, and which could potentially attract interest from a range of customers around the world.

Contact the author: [email protected]

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Houthis claim to have launched missile attack on US aircraft carrier in wake of US-UK strikes on Yemen

The houthis said the alleged attack was in response to british and american strikes on its bases in yemen on thursday, article bookmarked.

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Yemen’s Houthis claim to have launched an attack on a US air carrier in response to earlier British and American strikes on its military bases.

The militant group say it has attacked the USS Dwight D Eisenhower ship in the Red Sea following strikes by London and Washington on targets in Yemen.

A US defence official told Reuters they were not aware of any attack on the Eisenhower.

In a televised address Yahya Saree, the Houthis military spokesman, also claimed that six US and British strikes have killed 16 people and wounded 41, including civilians.

On Thursday, British and American forces struck Houthi targets in Yemen as part of an ongoing operation against the group’s targeting of commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said intelligence confirmed two locations near Hudaydah were involved in the anti-shipping attacks, with buildings identified as housing drone ground control facilities and storage for long range drones.

A set of Houthi facilities at Ghulayfiqah, further south on the Yemeni coast, were also identified as being involved in the command and control of the group’s anti-shipping campaign.

American and British fighter jets and US ships hit a wide range of targets, according to the MoD. RAF Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on the target buildings at the three locations, using Paveway IV guided bombs.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak said the UK “will not hesitate” to protect British interests. He said last night’s strikes were conducted “to further degrade the military capabilities of the Houthis and to prevent further attacks on international shipping”.

“The strikes were taken in self-defence in the face of an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose,” Mr Sunak added.

The UK and US strikes came after images published on Wednesday purported to show another US MQ-9 Reaper drone downed in Yemen.

The Houthis released footage they said showed the aircraft being targeted with a surface-to-air missile in a desert region of Yemen’s central Marib province. It marked the third such downing this month alone.

Images analysed by the Associated Press showed the MQ-9 on its belly in the barren desert, its tail assembly disconnected from their rest of its body.

At least one hatch on the drone appeared to have been opened after it landed there, though the drone remained broadly intact without any clear blast damage. One image included Wednesday’s date.

The drone did not appear to carry any markings on it.

Authorities in Marib, which remains held by allies of Yemen’s exiled government, did not acknowledge the drone.

A US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, told the Associated Press that “the US Air Force has not lost any aircraft operating within US Central Command’s area of responsibility.”

The official declined to elaborate.

The CIA also is believed to have flown Reaper drones over Yemen, both to monitor the war and in its campaign against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen’s local affiliate of the militant group. The CIA declined to comment when reached by the AP.

According to the US Maritime Administration, the Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping since November, after tensions in the region flared amid Israel’s war with Hamas.

Additional reporting by agencies

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Pentagon chief extends deployment of aircraft carrier, ships in the Red Sea as Houthi attacks go on

U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, arrives for opening ceremony for the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore Friday, May 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike group that for months has launched crucial strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen to protect military and commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden will remain in the region for at least another month, according to U.S. officials.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the order last week to extend the four ships’ deployment for a second time, rather than bring the carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhowe r, and its three warships home. The other ships in the strike group are the USS Philippine Sea, a cruiser, and two destroyers, the USS Gravely and the USS Mason. All together they include about 6,000 sailors.

The decision means the sailors and the carrier’s Air Wing won’t be home until the middle of the summer, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a decision not made public. The officials declined to provide exact dates.

A normal ship deployment lasts for about seven months, and the ships left their homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, in October. Austin approved the first order to extend their deployment about four weeks ago.

Austin had weighed the decision for a further extension for some time. Navy leaders routinely press to bring ships home in order to maintain a repair schedule and give sailors a needed break. But U.S. Central Command leaders have long argued that having a carrier in the region is critical for international security, including as a deterrent to Iran.

In recent months, the ships have played a critical role in protecting commercial and military vessels from a dramatic surge in attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. And officials say that a significant U.S. naval commitment to the region sends a strong signal to the commercial shipping industry that vessels can get protection as they travel the crucial transit route through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

About 12% of the world’s trade typically passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics.

The Houthis have attacked ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to end its offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas . But the ships targeted by the Houthis have largely had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. The rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted.

The Eisenhower and its strike group have been involved in routine operations against the Houthis all year. They also have participated in five major joint missions with British forces to target dozens of the militant group’s drones, missile launchers and other facilities and targets.

The ships are also spearheading Operation Prosperity Guardian, which was announced by Austin in December as a multinational mission to ensure security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

On Thursday, for example, F/A-18 fighter jets off the Eisenhower struck an array of targets in Yemen, in response to a recent increase in attacks by the group. And other ships in the strike group also launched missiles as part of the operation.

Any decision to bring the carrier home would leave the region without the ship-based fighter jets, and commanders would have to rely more heavily on land-based aircraft or other warships, which don’t have fighter jets, to take out Houthi drones or other munitions that are preparing to launch.

According to Lt. Cmdr. Lauren Chatmas, the strike group’s aircraft have flown more than 12,100 sorties, totaling over 27,200 flight hours, and they’ve launched more than 350 air-to-surface weapons and more than 50 air-to-air missiles. The warships have each traveled more than 55,000 miles, and they’ve launched more than 100 Standard and Tomahawk missiles. In all, the strike group has gone after about 430 either pre-planned or dynamic targets in its mission to defend U.S., coalition and merchant ships.

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California City Leaders End Cloud-Brightening Test, Overruling Staff

The City Council in Alameda, Calif., voted to stop tests of a device that could one day cool the Earth. Scientists and city staff had previously concluded the tests posed no risk.

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By Soumya Karlamangla and Christopher Flavelle

Soumya Karlamangla reported from the council meeting in Alameda, Calif. Christopher Flavelle covered the start of the cloud brightening experiment in April.

Elected leaders in Alameda, Calif., voted early on Wednesday to stop scientists from testing a device that might one day be used to artificially cool the planet, overruling city staff members who had found the experiment posed no danger.

Despite assurances from experts that the experiment was safe for humans and the environment, residents in the small city of 76,000 voiced the kinds of fears that swirl around the idea of intervening with natural systems to temporarily ease global warming.

The test involved spraying tiny sea-salt particles across the flight deck of a decommissioned aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Hornet, docked in Alameda in San Francisco Bay. Versions of that device could eventually be used to spray the material skyward, making clouds brighter so that they reflect more sunlight away from Earth. Scientists say that could help to cool the planet and to fight the effects of global warming.

As humans continue to burn fossil fuels and pump increasing amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the goal of holding global warming to a relatively safe level, 1.5 degrees Celsius compared with preindustrial times, is slipping away. That has pushed the idea of deliberately intervening in climate systems closer to reality.

Universities, foundations, private investors and the federal government have started to fund a variety of efforts, from sucking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere to adding iron to the ocean in an effort to store carbon dioxide on the sea floor.

The experiment in Alameda did not involve brightening clouds; it was only testing the way sea-salt particles emitted through a spraying device behave under different atmospheric conditions. It took researchers years to design and build the spraying device and the experiment was expected to last for months or even years at a cost of about $1 million a year.

But during a council meeting Tuesday that stretched past midnight, Alameda’s five elected councilors, none of whom are scientists, said they still weren’t sure the experiment off the deck of the U.S.S. Hornet was harmless.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for our community to be asked to bear that risk,” councilor Trish Herrera Spencer said. “I don’t think this is the right place.”

Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft echoed those thoughts. “I don’t have a huge desire to be on the cutting edge,” she said. “I just feel like this is not the right time.”

Testing, conducted by researchers from the University of Washington, began on April 2. It was temporarily halted by the city , after officials said they needed more time to assess its possible affect on human health or the environment. Two weeks ago, Alameda released a report from its city manager, which found no such risk .

“The chemical components of the saltwater solution (which is similar to seawater) being sprayed are naturally occurring in the environment,” the report said. Staff recommended that the City Council allow the experiment to continue, potentially with additional safeguards such as monitors to measure air quality at the test site.

Sarah J. Doherty, director of the Marine Cloud Brightening Program at the University of Washington, which is running the experiment, said in a statement that she and her team “are disappointed by the decision from the City of Alameda.”

Dr. Doherty said her team was “exploring alternate sites” for the research. But she noted that the city’s own findings showed no risk from the experiment, and urged the city to reconsider its decision.

The question of whether to allow the experiment to continue stretched beyond the local impact of the salt particles and got into whether climate interventions like cloud brightening should be attempted at all.

Some environmentalists oppose research aimed at so-called climate intervention, also known as solar geoengineering. They argue that such technology carries the risk of unintended consequences, and also takes money and attention away from efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels, the burning of which is the underlying cause of climate change.

Opponents indicated concern that the testing in Alameda could move society closer to deploying such technology on a wide scale.

“While this is a local decision, it has far-reaching consequences,” Gary Hughes of the environmental group Hands Off Mother Earth Alliance said at the meeting. “There are global climate justice dynamics at stake.”

In a statement after the vote, Mary Church, geoengineering campaign manager for the Center for International Environmental Law, an advocacy group based in Washington D.C., supported the city’s decision.

“The rejection rightfully reflects the gravity of what’s at stake for both local and global communities,” said Ms. Church, whose organization wants nations to pledge not to use climate interventions.

Not everyone who spoke at the meeting, which involved comments in person and online, opposed the research.

A youth climate leader in Honduras urged the council to approve the project, saying that the University of Washington had expertise that could help his country and others that are most affected by climate change.

Soumya Karlamangla reports on California news and culture and is based in San Francisco. She writes the California Today newsletter. More about Soumya Karlamangla

Christopher Flavelle is a Times reporter who writes about how the United States is trying to adapt to the effects of climate change. More about Christopher Flavelle

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Human-caused warming has doubled the chances that southern Brazil will experience extreme, multiday downpours  like the ones that recently caused disastrous flooding there, a team of scientists said.

Over the past year of record-shattering warmth, the average person on Earth experienced 26 more days of abnormally high temperatures  than they otherwise would have, were it not for human-induced climate change, scientists said.

The Biden administration laid out for the first time a set of broad government guidelines around the use of carbon offsets  in an attempt to shore up confidence in a method for tackling global warming that has faced growing criticism.

Adopting Orphaned Oil Wells:  Students, nonprofit groups and others are fund-raising to cap highly polluting oil and gas wells  abandoned by industry.

Struggling N.Y.C. Neighborhoods:  New data projects are linking social issues with global warming. Here’s what that means for five communities in New York .

Biden Environmental Rules:  The Biden administration has rushed to finalize 10 major environmental regulations  to meet its self-imposed spring deadline.

F.A.Q.:  Have questions about climate change? We’ve got answers .