The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world and the first of its class, ushering in the next generation of naval aviation for the U.S. Navy. Being the first new design in more than 40 years, that is, since the USS Nimitz-class aircraft carrier the Ford class sets the tone for maritime superiority in the 21st century.
For decades, aircraft carriers have delivered unmatched flexibility and adaptability as the cornerstone of naval power. These ships, with their embarked carrier air wings and escort ships, have constituted a force that has been able to execute a myriad of military operations, and major combat operations through humanitarian assistance missions. The Ford-class carriers continue the legacy of the Nimitz class, who for more than four decades have been forward deployed around the globe as first responders in crises and conflicts.
The Gerald R. Ford class comprises a class of its own with the CVN 78 as the lead ship in replacement of the venerable Nimitz-class carriers. Though the core mission remains, the Ford class will feature increased lethality, survivability, and joint interoperability. Incorporating the Navy’s most advanced aircraft, such as the F-35C Lightning II, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and several types of unmanned air vehicles, they also support STOVL aircraft, further increasing their flexibility.
The Ford-class carriers pack 23 new technologies, unique among which is the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. This, combined with the Advanced Arresting Gear and the Advanced Weapons Elevators, can increase aircraft turnover by 30 percent. These are very necessary upgrades for prospective conflicts, as seen in the Indo-Pacific, where aircraft launch timing is paramount.
The USS Gerald R. Ford recently completed its first full-length operational deployment, spending 239 days at sea. Aircraft from the carrier flew more than 10,000 sorties as it sailed nearly 85,000 miles to flex operational capability in areas such as Israel and the Red Sea. “Throughout our time in the Mediterranean, the ship and crew alike have performed remarkably well,” said Capt. Rick Burgess, the commanding officer. The carrier’s performance during this deployment reflects an acknowledgment that it is fit for national security duty.
At $13 billion, the Ford-class features a 20% smaller crew than its predecessors, thus solving a current military recruitment crisis. Reduced manpower coupled with several innovations, such as greater electrical production from its nuclear power plant and the use of fiber-optic networks, drastically reduces operating and maintenance costs.
The Ford-class carriers, for instance, are designed with future improvements taken into consideration. Design margins of the ship allow for the integration of new technologies that could be fitted easily inside a ship without serious alteration, ensuring that it remains a mighty force well into the 21st century.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is the future of naval warfare, answering advanced technology with operational efficiency. “The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more,” said Capt. Burgess. This new class of supercarriers ensures the U.S. Navy remains ready and resilient, capable of maintaining maritime superiority wherever it’s needed.