The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers represent a significant leap forward for the U.S. Navy, combining innovative technology and decades of naval know-how. At the forefront is the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), a vessel that pairs the latest systems with deep tradition, reflecting on the Navy’s attempts to preserve its sea power from being eroded in an ever-more-sophisticated and competitive maritime environment.
Named for President Gerald R. Ford, the ship represents more than a name; it is a legacy of leadership, integrity, and determination, and it represents the Navy’s commitment to resilience and operational excellence on the world’s oceans.
At the heart of the ship is a leading-edge nuclear power plant designed to provide an unprecedented capability. With four shafts and two reactors, USS Gerald R. Ford generates 150% more electrical power than the earlier Nimitz-class carriers, which allows it to drive a suite of sophisticated sensors, weapons, and future enhancements for decades without extensive rework.
This enhanced power capacity allows a wide range of advanced systems, from radar arrays to aircraft launch and recovery systems, to keep the ship current in naval combat technology. The carrier boasts 23 new or upgraded systems over previous carriers, including a smaller island structure placed further aft, topped by a composite mast housing planar array radars.
Among them is the dual-band radar system, which combines X-band and S-band phased arrays to provide improved situational awareness, facilitate coordination with coalition forces, and provide commanders with unimpeded views of the operating area. These systems operate in conjunction to allow the Ford-class to detect, track, and engage threats at unbelievable rates and with incredible precision. One of the largest innovations is in the shape of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, which replaces the antiquated steam catapults with an electromagnetic rail.
It allows for airplanes to launch more smoothly and precisely, and reduces wear and tear on the frames. On the recovery side, the Advanced Arresting Gear uses the same electromagnetic technology to bring in incoming aircraft to a safe and efficient stop, with less stress on the planes or the carrier’s system. These technologies result in faster, safer, and more responsive flight operations. Further efficiency comes from a new-generation liquid oxygen plant capable of producing LOX for aviation and medicinal use separately and within minutes.
State-of-the-art cryogenic technology propels this system to reduce crew workload, minimize downtime, and facilitate continual operations. On the flight deck, the Ford-class supports up to 90 aircraft in its inventory, ranging from F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to helicopters and future unmanned vehicles.
The redesigned deck configuration, more efficient elevator location, and weapons handling enable sorties of up to 160 flights per day for normal conditions, and up to 220 in high-intensity operations. Larger than its predecessors, the USS Gerald R. Ford has between 500 to 900 fewer sailors than an equivalent-sized Nimitz-class carrier.
Automation, sophisticated living accommodations, noise reduction, and better recreational spaces improve life at sea for the sailors, while energy-saving equipment and predictive maintenance reduce operating costs and environmental impact.
Since commissioning in 2017, the carrier has put its mettle to the test in demanding trials and operational deployments, such as an eight-month deployment to the Mediterranean where it operated with NATO allies and underpinned U.S. strategic interests. Apart from its operational success, the Ford-class program has fueled the U.S. shipbuilding industry.
Investment in domestic shipyards, training of labor, and research on new technologies has improved the nation’s industrial foundation and guaranteed the Navy’s ability to maintain its maritime supremacy. With additional carriers like the USS John F. Kennedy, USS Enterprise, and USS Doris Miller in production, the Ford-class is going to be the backbone of American carrier air strike groups for centuries to come. These ships are so much more than flying carriers: they are enduring icons of ingenuity, flexibility, and the continued utility of naval power in a world of constant change.