Key Points and Summary – At $13.3B, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is the Navy’s largest, most advanced carrier, fielding EMALS, Advanced Arresting Gear, redesigned weapons elevators, and a leaner crew.
-After commissioning in 2017 and years of trials, Ford is now certified combat-ready, with three major deployments.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN) 78 and the USNS Laramie (T-AO-203) conduct a refueling-at-sea in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 11, 2023. USS Gerald R. Ford is the Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, representing a generational leap in the U.S. Navy’s capacity to project power on a global scale. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, at direction of the Secretary of Defense. The U.S. maintains forward deployed ready and postured forces to deter aggression and support security and stability around the world.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)
-The ship exercised interoperability across NATO, surged to the Med during Israel-Hamas tensions, and returned to Europe for Arctic/North Atlantic ops, including a 2025 Oslo port call.
-With Super Hornets and F-35Cs, a more powerful reactor, and lower life-cycle maintenance, Ford has moved beyond teething problems—demonstrating global reach, allied integration, and credible deterrence from the Med to the High North.
Meet USS Gerald R. Ford: A Really Big and Pricey Aircraft Carrier
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is one expensive ship. The super carrier rang in at $13.3 billion, but it aims to save more than $5 billion in maintenance costs and endure 30 percent fewer repairs than its predecessors over its lifetime – it will likely be sailing into the 2040s.
The Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy’s largest, newest, and most modern carrier. The Navy’s latest floating air base includes technological innovations such as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).
She also has a more powerful nuclear reactor and a flight deck with a fresh design. Her weapons elevators are more advanced and efficient, and the carrier needs fewer sailors onboard to carry out operations.
Construction of the Gerald R. Ford Begins
In 2008, Northrop Grumman was awarded a $5.1 billion, seven-year contract to build the carrier. In 2009, the keel was laid at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (now HII) in Newport News, Virginia.
The Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) transit the Atlantic Ocean March 20, 2021, marking the first time a Ford-class and Italian carrier have operated together underway. As part of the Italian Navy’s Ready for Operations (RFO) campaign for its flagship, Cavour is conducting sea trials in coordination with the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office’s Patuxent River Integrated Test Force to obtain official certification to safely operate the F-35B. Gerald R. Ford is conducting integrated carrier strike group operations during independent steaming event 17 as part of her post-delivery test and trials phase of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Riley McDowell)
By 2012, the final keel section, a 680-metric-ton lower bow, was lowered. Workers accomplished 390 total structural lifts. In 2013, the installation of the 555-metric-ton island was completed. The ship was christened in November that year.
Testing the New Aircraft Launch System
In 2015, the vessel conducted testing of the EMALS with a dead load, and in 2016, the Ford managed a turn ship evolution. Sea trials began in 2017: Huntington Ingalls Industries delivered the Gerald R. Ford to the Navy in May, and in July of that year, the Ford was commissioned. Later that month, an F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet executed the first launch and landing from the ship. Steaming exercises commenced after that feat. In December 2017, the Ford executed its first underway replenishment. It took until 2023, but the Ford was finally awarded its certification as a combat-deployable U.S. warship.
The First Deployment Was Successful
The Gerald R. Ford has conducted three major deployments, the first of which came in 2022 – a mission to visit the North Atlantic. Sailors tested all systems and carrier flight deck operations with the EMALS and AAG as the Ford rehearsed for a future global deployment. Another test was to gauge whether the Ford was interoperable with NATO allies, so she made port calls in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
The First Global Deployment Emphasized Interoperability With Allies
The Gerald R’ Ford’s full global deployment took place from May 3, 2023, to Jan. 17, 2024. The vessel steamed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Arctic Circle. While in the Mediterranean, her mission was to participate in multinational exercises. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Türkiye.
“I am incredibly proud of every member of the strike group, especially the triads who led their teams of exceptionally talented sailors with professionalism and perseverance,” said Rear Adm. Erik Eslich, commander of the Ford carrier strike group. “Due to our collective efforts, we excelled during a very challenging deployment, demonstrating the capabilities of a U.S. Navy carrier strike group, assuring our partners and allies, and deterring our adversaries with our operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations.”
Ready In Case Israel Needed Naval Assistance
The Ford’s deployment was extended due to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Its main effort was to support Israel and deter Hamas allies such as Iran and the Houthis.
“In total, the [Gerald R. Ford] worked with 17 nations throughout its deployment during exercises Baltic Operations, Air Defender, Bomber Task Force Viking Trident, Neptune Strike, and Sage Wolverine. The strike group operated with Standing NATO Maritime Groups 1 and 2, conducted dual-carrier operations with USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and exercised with navies from France, Greece, Norway, Türkiye and the United Kingdom,” according to a U.S Navy news release.
The supercarrier’s second full combat deployment focused again on the North Atlantic, where she served with U.S. European Command. The Ford arrived in Oslo, Norway for a port call on Sept. 12 this year.
The Ford also conducted combined operations in the Arctic Circle with the Royal Norwegian Navy, the German Navy, and the French Navy, interacting with several allied warships.
“This ship, the largest of its kind on Earth, navigated thousands of miles, including narrow straits and challenging seas, to be here today as a statement of America’s commitment to our Allies,” said Capt. Dave Skarosi, commanding officer of the Gerald R. Ford. “Our ship visited Oslo during its maiden deployment in 2023, and we are privileged to return. The city of Oslo holds a special place in Gerald R. Ford’s history and future.”
CVN-78 is now combat-ready; she has shown through her three main deployments that she can operate with allies and deter enemies around the globe. The Ford was difficult to manufacture, and its new technology experienced the usual growing pains, but all systems are a go now. The Ford can now deploy anywhere, from the Arctic to the Mediterranean.
The Gerald R. Ford might be the most powerful ship in the world. She is ready and able to carry the flag into battle if Russian airplanes keep making incursions into allied airspace. The Ford’s Super Hornets and F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters can launch quickly – to police the air in Europe and deter Russia, or to the Middle East in support of Israel. These combat deployments have been successful. They prove the Ford is ready to face down adversaries and bring military power to different regions.
About the Author: Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for US Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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