By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Contributor
The world of naval aviation is constantly evolving, with the USS Ford at the forefront of this transformation. The USS Ford, officially known as the USS Gerald R. Ford is the lead ship of its class of United States Navy aircraft carriers.
The Ford represents the peak of naval engineering and technological advancement, setting a new standard for what modern carriers can achieve. It highlights a blend of tradition and modernization in naval aviation.
As the lead ship of its class, Ford marks a significant evolution from its predecessors, the Nimitz-class carriers, which ushers in a new era in aviation. As of now, the USS Ford is operating in the Mediterranean Sea.
The USS Ford versus the Nimitz Class
The Ford-class carriers are more automated than their Nimitz prototypes, enabling the Navy to significantly reduce the number of ship’s complement by hundreds. This alone represents a major cost saving.
With a full load displacement of 100,000 tons, the Ford-class carriers match the Nimitz class in size and surpass it in capability and technological sophistication in several key ways:
- Power Generation: The Ford-class carriers have two reactors that generate 600MW of electrical power, three times more than the 200MW generated by the Nimitz class.
- Aircraft Launch and Recovery Systems: One of the most significant advancements about the Ford is its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), which replaces the traditional steam catapults used on Nimitz-class carriers.
EMALS allows for a wider range of aircraft to be launched, including lighter unmanned systems, and promises reduced wear on airframes, thereby extending their service life. They also employ the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system, superior to the Nimitz’s system, providing enhanced capability with reduced maintenance and manpower.
- Radar Systems: The Ford can support more advanced radar systems, defensive weapons, and potentially even future-directed energy weapons like lasers, capable of search, tracking and multiple missile illumination, detecting enemy aircraft and missiles.
- Defensive Systems: The Ford-class carriers have two missile launchers with eight Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) each, and two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers and four Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems as a powerful defense against missiles and enemy aircraft.
Interestingly, operational improvements of the Ford class are not limited to technology alone. The Ford introduced changes designed to enhance the carrier’s operational efficiency and reduce crew requirements.
US Navy Cites Aircraft Carrier Survivability
The USS Ford in Action
The Nimitz-class carriers have been the pillar of the U.S. Navy’s carrier force for over four decades, providing unmatched power projection and sea control capabilities.
However, the introduction of the Ford class represents a shift towards a more technologically advanced and efficient fleet.
Each Ford-class carrier is expected to save nearly $5 billion in total ownership costs over its 50-year service life compared to a Nimitz-class carrier, thanks to these operational efficiencies and reduced crew requirements.
After completing an 8-month deployment, the USS Gerald R. Ford returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk in January 2024. The Ford’s presence in strategic regions underscores the U.S. Navy’s commitment to maintaining maritime security and stability.
In conclusion, the USS Ford represents a new era in naval aviation. With its advanced technology and capabilities, it stands as a testament to the evolution of aircraft carriers and a glimpse into the future of naval power.
OLAWALE ABAIRE is a researcher, writer and analyst who has written over 75 nonfiction books, He has master’s degree in Biochemistry from Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria. He also works as a web content writer with the revered International Lean Six Sigma Institute, UK
