Ford-Class, Explained: Following years of delays, cost overruns, and Congressional criticisms, some might be inclined the question the wisdom of the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class carriers, despite the known reality that the new platforms have ushered in a new era in maritime power projection.
Meet the Ford-Class
The Ford-class is operational after no small amount of challenge. However, upon evaluation, one needs to consider the scope and depth of its accomplishments. Clearly, its developmental shortcomings, failings, and greatest benefits all pertain to the ambitious and ultimately successful effort to introduce many new unprecedented technologies into a platform at the same time.
The project was ambitious. Years later after much duress, the ship is operational with electromagnetic propulsion, breakthrough computer automation, electric weapons elevators, unprecedented on-board electrical power, and of course a much larger deck space to support a higher sortie rate.
If one is to analyze the host of complexities and challenges associated with the ship, one might look at the sheer ambition of the project. Yet somewhat paradoxically, the ambition and innovation fundamental to the project is precisely it is both successful and paradigm-changing now as an operational platform.
What might have seemed catastrophic at the time, may upon subsequent reflection and consideration of the full context, may make much more sense in retrospect years afterward.
While primarily blasted for cost, few of the ship’s critics seemed to listen much to what many Navy leaders were saying at the time.
The Ford costs included “non-recurring” engineering and developmental costs which will benefit the class and save money for decades throughout the life of the Ford-class. The concept was to invest a bit more up front to diffuse costs over the long term, yet usher in paradigm-changing new technologies. More precisely, the Navy and Huntington Ingals Industries have collaborated extensively to leverage lessons learned from the USS Ford to expedite, streamline and improve manufacturing of the USS Kennedy, USS Enterprise and follow on Ford-class boats.
Costs Were a Factor for Navy
Also, contrary to general perceptions to an extent, the Navy did build the USS Ford with costs in mind, because the increased computer automation lowers the crew by as many as 900 sailors and saves as much as $ 4 billion in costs over the service life of each ship.
There is also the long-term maintenance and sustainment savings associated with the EMALs, or ElectroMagnetic Aircraft Launch System, as it generates much less stress or wear and tear on the airframes than previous technologies. An ability to operate with a higher sortie rate not only better concentrates the lethality and execution of any air attack campaign but also means potential savings as a single ship can perform a larger number of missions.
Electric elevators also greatly improve the sortie rate and reduce costs by virtue of ensuring a smaller number of planes can achieve a given mission by refueling, rearming, and relaunching quickly.
A Powerhouse
With a new class of onboard generators, the Ford-class will operate with three times the electrical power built into existing carriers and a 33 percent higher sortie rate. The most significant element of the Ford’s development, however, can arguably be seen in its “shock trials” performance.
After being subject to many different bombs in many different shapes in 2022, the USS Ford proved itself survivable despite all the ambitious new technologies. The shock trials were quite successful, according to industry and Navy participants.
All this being said, the financial pains and stresses associated with the Ford development might lead one to easily overlook the magnitude of the accomplishment.
Integrating this many new technologies into a single, massive platform is no small achievement, but rather a defining shift in maritime warfare modernization sufficient to inspire historians years from now.
Ford Class to Next Century? 2110?
While the essential structure and framework of the Ford class will remain consistent as successive ships emerge, the carriers are built with the technical infrastructure to accommodate ongoing upgrades. For example, the USS Kennedy will be built to operate the first of its kind Navy F-35C 5th-generation stealth fighter. Deploying the F-35C will mark the first time a stealth aircraft will deploy on an aircraft carrier.
The ship’s will also receive upgraded radar systems tailored to address the threat envelope specific to aircraft carriers. The Kennedy, for instance, will receive the Enterprise Air and Surveillance Radar (EASR) system which introduces a new level of detection sensitivity and layered defenses for the carriers. The Ford’s massive increase in on-board electrical power will not only sustain electrical systems such as computing, command and control and sensors but also lay the technological foundation for the integration of new generations of advanced weapons systems such as lasers and EW applications.
The shipbuilding process itself has continuously been revamped and upgraded by the Navy and its HII shipbuilding partner in Newport News, Virginia. In order to increase efficiency and eliminate some of the hurdles, roadblocks and challenges associated with the construction of the USS Ford, HII and Navy shifted ship-building methods to a modular approach wherein larger portions of the ship were built on deck, prior to being integrated into the hull or larger structure. This saves time, increases efficiency and expedites the integration of functional components. The rationale for HII was to build upon the lessons learned from the USS Ford and build the Kennedy in a more cost-efficient and effective way.
The Enterprise is now being approached the same way as the Kennedy is, although there are likely continued modifications as builders and engineers learn new lessons and continue to modify their techniques.
All of these shipbuilding enhancements have been immeasurably enhanced through the adoption of an Integrated Digital Shipbuilding method to computerize key elements of the ship building process.
Navy Weapons developers sought increased flight safety and efficiency advantages generated by the Ford-class weapons elevators and Electro-Magnetic Launch System (EMALS). Using electro-magnetic and not steam or hydraulic propulsion technology, the EMALS enables a smoother, tailorable take-off which creates much less wear and tear on deck-launched fighter jets. The use of electrical systems replaces some of the manpower-intensive steam and hydraulic systems, Navy developers explained.
Shock Trials
Perhaps of equal or even greater significance, recent shock testing revealed that the USS Ford can operate as a “survivable” ship despite all of the advances in technology b
uilt into the platform. Many bombs of different shapes and sizes were exploded near the Ford during “Shock Trials” to assess the platform’s ability to sustain operational functionality while under attack. The performance of the USS Ford was exemplary, according to Navy leaders and industry participants, who found great confidence and relief in the new carrier’s ability to operate at war.
Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University
