Key Points and Summary – The U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are the largest and most technologically advanced warships ever built, designed to replace the Nimitz-class and ensure American naval dominance for decades.
-Powered by two new A1B nuclear reactors that provide three times the electrical power of their predecessors, these supercarriers incorporate revolutionary systems like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).
-With a crew of around 2,600 and the ability to support over 75 aircraft, including the F-35C, the Ford-class is a formidable platform for power projection, equipped with a sophisticated suite of defensive weapons and sensors.
Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Explained
The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers are the largest warships ever built.
Intended to replace the Nimitz-class, the Ford-class incorporates all the latest technologies into one supercarrier. These massive nuclear-powered warships were designed for one purpose: to ensure American naval power for the next several decades.
Able to carry up to 75 aircraft, the mere presence of a Ford-class carrier is deterrence enough. With its sensor suite and weapon systems, the Ford-class is well equipped to carry out both offensive and defensive missions.
Design and Development
The USS Gerald R. Ford was commissioned in 2017, and several more ships in the class are planned or under construction, including the John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), Enterprise (CVN-80), and Doris Miller (CVN-81). These carriers are massive, displacing around 100,000 tons when fully loaded and measuring over 1,100 feet in length making them the largest warships in history.
They are powered by two Bechtel A1B nuclear reactors, which provide significantly more electrical power than their predecessors and allow the ships to operate for 50 years without refueling. With a top speed exceeding 30 knots and a crew complement of approximately 2,600 sailors (plus an additional 2,000 personnel for the air wing), these ships are floating cities designed for sustained combat operations.
One of the most significant technological advancements on the Ford-class is the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), which replaces the traditional steam catapults used on earlier carriers. EMALS uses linear electromagnetic motors to launch aircraft, offering greater control over launch power, which is especially beneficial for lighter aircraft such as UAVs. It also reduces wear and tear on aircraft, lowers maintenance requirements, and improves overall reliability. Complementing EMALS is the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), which replaces older hydraulic systems with a more adaptable and reliable energy-absorbing system. AAG is capable of recovering a wider range of aircraft, including those with lower landing weights.
Why You Shouldn’t Mess with the Ford-Class
In terms of offensive capabilities, the Ford-class is a true force to be reckoned with. Each carrier can support more than 75 aircraft, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, MH-60R/S Seahawks, and potentially unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the future. The ship’s layout and systems are optimized to increase the sortie generation rate by 33% over the Nimitz-class, allowing for more rapid and sustained air operations during combat. This enhanced air wing capability is central to the carrier’s role in power projection, sea control, and deterrence.
While the aircraft are the primary offensive tools of the Ford-class, the ships themselves are equipped with a formidable suite of defensive weapons and electronic warfare systems. These include the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) for medium-range air defense, the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) for short-range threats, and the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), a radar-guided 20mm Gatling gun designed to intercept incoming missiles and aircraft at close range. Additional defenses include Mk 38 25mm machine guns and .50 caliber machine guns for protection against small boat threats.
The Ford-class also features advanced electronic warfare and decoy systems. The AN/SLQ-32(V)6 electronic warfare suite is designed to detect and jam enemy radar and targeting systems, while the AN/SLQ-25C Nixie towed decoy system provides defense against torpedoes. These systems work in concert to create a layered defense network that enhances the survivability of the carrier and its strike group.
The Most Technologically Advanced Carriers to Date
Additionally, the Ford-class is far and away the most advanced carriers in the U.S. Navy. They were originally equipped with the Dual Band Radar (DBR), which combined the AN/SPY-3 X-band multifunction radar and the AN/SPY-4 S-band volume search radar. However, due to cost and performance considerations, later ships in the class are being fitted with the AN/SPY-6 radar system, which offers improved detection capabilities and better integration with other naval platforms. These radar systems provide comprehensive situational awareness and targeting capabilities, enabling the ship to detect and respond to threats at long range.
The Ford-class carriers are also notable for their all-electric ship design. By eliminating steam service lines and using electric power for all systems, the ships reduce maintenance requirements, improve corrosion control, and increase energy efficiency. This is enabled by the A1B nuclear reactor. They provide three times the electrical power of the Nimitz-class A4W reactors, ensuring that the Ford-class can accommodate new technologies as they become available. This future-proofing is a central aspect of the class’s design philosophy, allowing the ships to remain relevant and effective throughout their 50-year service lives.
Automation is another area where the Ford-class excels. Advanced systems and improved ship design have allowed the Navy to reduce the crew size by approximately 700 sailors compared to the Nimitz-class. This not only lowers personnel costs but also improves habitability and reduces the logistical burden of supporting a large crew.
The Ford-class carriers are designed to serve as the centerpiece of carrier strike groups (CSGs), which include guided missile cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and supply ships. These groups are capable of conducting a wide range of missions, from high-intensity combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The carriers provide command and control capabilities for joint operations and serve as a visible symbol of American military power and commitment to allies and partners around the world.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
Hypersonic Weapons In Depth
Russia’s Hypersonic Missiles Summed Up in 4 Words
Pingback: The Navy's Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers Have Us Scratching Our Heads - National Security Journal