USS Gerald R. Ford Completes Combat Evaluation Tests, Ready to Replace Older Carriers
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy’s fleet, has successfully completed combat evaluation tests and is poised to replace older carriers in the near future. This significant milestone was officially announced by the U.S. Department of Defense on August 4th, marking a momentous step in the carrier’s journey toward active service.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, designated CVN-78, belongs to the Ford-class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, representing the latest and most advanced generation of these formidable warships. Delivered on May 31, 2017, and commissioned shortly thereafter, the Ford-class carriers bring numerous enhancements over their Nimitz-class predecessors. Notably, they can accommodate over 25% more aircraft while requiring almost 25% fewer crew members, resulting in significantly reduced operating costs projected to be around $4 billion less over their 50-year service life.
In terms of sheer dimensions, the USS Gerald R. Ford is a colossal vessel, measuring 333 meters in length, 77 meters in width, and boasting a displacement of 100,000 tons. Its towering superstructure reaches an impressive 76 meters in height. Powered by two A1B nuclear reactors, this warship can achieve an average speed of 56 km/h, possesses an unlimited operational range, and provides accommodations for a crew of 4,600 personnel.
The carrier’s impressive capabilities extend to its air wing, which can consist of up to 90 military aircraft of various types. Additionally, it is equipped with formidable armament, including 2 RIM-162 surface-to-air missile launchers, 2 RIM-116 close-in weapon system launchers, 3 Phalanx CIWS automatic cannons, and 4 M2 12.7mm machine guns. Its electronic warfare capabilities are equally impressive, featuring two cutting-edge active electronically scanned array radars: AN/SPY-3 and AN/SPY-4.
Having successfully completed the Combat System Operational Readiness Evaluation (CSORE), with a particular focus on its machine guns and missile systems, the USS Gerald R. Ford is now set to test its Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) in the coming days. This marks a crucial step as it prepares to integrate the Navy’s most advanced fighter jets, including the F-35C Lightning II and F/A-18E Super Hornet, for regular duty on the carrier.
Despite numerous delays and a substantial production cost of up to $13 billion, coupled with $4.7 billion in research expenses, the USS Gerald R. Ford is finally ready to be deployed by the end of the year. This accomplishment is seen as a testament to its long and challenging development journey.
In the words of Rear Admiral James Downey, the program executive officer for aircraft carriers in the Navy, “USS Gerald R. Ford is a masterpiece of the defense industry in an increasingly complex security landscape.” With its arrival on the scene, the U.S. Navy is well-positioned to maintain its influence on the international stage with a fleet of eleven aircraft carriers, each representing a symbol of American military power and capability.
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