Summary and Key Points You Need To Know: The Gerald Ford-class aircraft carriers represent the latest in U.S. naval engineering, designed to replace the aging Nimitz-class carriers. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the lead ship of the class, features groundbreaking technology such as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and advanced arresting gear.
Ford-Class. Image Credit: Creative Commons
-With a displacement of 100,000 tons, the Ford-class carriers are the largest warships ever built, capable of carrying over 75 aircraft.
-Despite high costs and debates about their vulnerability, these carriers remain pivotal for U.S. power projection.
-The class will expand with the upcoming USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), USS Enterprise (CVN-80), and USS Doris Miller (CVN-81).
What Makes the Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier So Special
After being sworn in as Vice President of the United States (serving under Richard M. Nixon) in December 1973, Gerald Rudolph “Jerry” Ford Jr. (July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) made arguably the most famous statement of his political career: “I Am a Ford, not a Lincoln. My addresses will never be as eloquent as Mr. Lincoln’s. But I will do my very best to equal his brevity and his plain speaking.” However, though he may not be as revered a historical figure by professional historians, academicians, and the general public alike, Jerry Ford wound up following in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln in at least two significant ways: serving as President of the United States as a member of the Republican Party, and having a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier named in his honor. (As a quick personal sidebar, one of my old buddies from high school served on the USS Abraham Lincoln [CVN-72])
Moreover, unlike “Honest Abe” (who was a militia captain during the Black Hawk War), Gerald Ford (who, by the way, was actually born Leslie Lynch King Jr.), actually served as a U.S. Navy Officer in his own right, and on an aircraft carrier to boot: commissioned as an Ensign in the US Naval Reserve in April 1942; served as a gunnery officer on the carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26); saw combat action in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (AKA “The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”); and honorably discharged as a Lieutenant Commander in January 1946, So then, without further ado, let’s discuss the aircraft carrier class named in his honor.
President Ford’s Naval Namesake: Early History and Specifications
Thus far, the lead ship of the class, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), is the only ship of the class in service thus far.
Laid down on 13 November 2009, launched on 11 October 2013, christened on 9 November 2013, acquired on 31 May 2017, and finally commissioned on 22 July 2017 (got all that?), she is the first new aircraft carrier designed in over 40 years, replacing the venerable USS Enterprise (CVN-65, which began her service in 1961 and served the USN fleet for 51 years), and her class also represents an upgrade over the longstanding Nimitz-class CVNs, which were first commissioned in May 1975.
Specifications of the Ford-class include:
-Displacement of 100,000 tons,
-Hull Length:1,092 feet,
-Beam width: 256 feet
-Max speed: in excess of 30 knots (35 mph)
-Armament: four surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers and three Phalanx CIWS gun system
-Crew Complement: 2,600 commissioned officers and enlisted sailors
-Aircraft Carrying Capacity: 75+
Those numbers make the Ford the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and the largest warship ever constructed.
The Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT) website elaborated on the technological improvements that the Ford brings to the table:
“Although it appears similar to a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, there are many features that make Ford unique. First-in-class technology includes a new nuclear plant, the ability to generate nearly three times the amount of electrical power, innovative advanced arresting gear and the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS)…EMALS replaces the steam catapult system traditionally used to launch aircraft and will expand the aircraft launch envelope, paving the way for innovations in manned/unmanned aircraft as well as providing the opportunity for other technological advancements in the future.”
Recent Operational History
Controversies about the price tag of the Ford class notwithstanding — $37.30 billion USD program cost and a $12.998B per unit cost — not to mention concerns about the survivability of carriers in general due to the ever-increasing capabilities of the hypersonic missiles being produced by Red China and Russia, the aircraft carrier still remains the primary power projection platform for the U.S. Navy, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Accordingly, the USS Gerald R. Ford has been putting the U.S. taxpayers’ dollars to work by making her presence known around the globe.
On 26 June, 2023, the Ford made a scheduled post visit to Split, Croatia and embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, thus showing solidarity with a NATO partner and ally. As Rear Adm. Erik J. Eslich, Commander, CSG-12, said of the port visit:
“U.S. Navy units frequently visit Croatia for maintenance, mutual security training opportunities, and liberty, and the Sailors of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group are excited to continue the tradition. It is a welcome opportunity for our crews to enjoy a beautiful country and experience the Croatian culture, but also for us to engage with a crucial ally and build upon the strong U.S.-Croatia relationship that is founded on our shared values.”
Not quite six months later, Ford and CSG-12 made a scheduled port visit to Souda Bay, Crete. Of this port call, Capt. Rick Burgess, Commanding Officer of USS Gerald R. Ford, said the following:
“The crew has been laser-focused on the mission, and I am really proud of our Sailors’ work and efforts these past couple of months as our nation’s capital ship has remained on scene and prepared to do our duty. The team has earned some time off and looks forward to taking in Greek culture and exploring Souda Bay, Chania, and the surrounding area. Earlier this summer, Gerald R. Ford visited Piraeus and Athens, and the port visit remains one of the highlights of our deployment because of the hospitality of our cherished Ally.”
The Future of the Ford-Class
Next in line is USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) (not to be confused with the non-nuclear USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) of the Kitty Hawk class, which served from September 1968 to August 2007) which was launched on 29 October 2019 and fittingly christened by JFK’s daughter Caroline on Pearl Harbor Day 2019, and is scheduled to enter service in 2025. From there: USS Enterprise (CVN-80) is scheduled to be commissioned sometime in 2028; USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), named for the Pearl Harbor hero and first African-American to be awarded the Navy Cross, is slated for commissioning sometime in 2032.
About the Author: Christian D. Orr
Christian D. Orr is a Senior Defense Editor for National Security Journal. He is a former Air Force Security Forces officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (with assignments worked in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and an M.A. in Intelligence Studies (concentration in Terrorism Studies) from American Military University (AMU). He has also been published in The Daily Torch, The Journal of Intelligence and Cyber Security, and Simple Flying. Last but not least, he is a Companion of the Order of the Naval Order of the United States (NOUS). In his spare time, he enjoys shooting, dining out, cigars, Irish and British pubs, travel, USC Trojans college football, and Washington DC professional sports.
