The Navy’s USS Ford is Deployed, Operational & Ready for War

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.