Ford-Class Archives

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully completes the third and final scheduled explosive event of Full Ship Shock Trials while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 8, 2021. The U.S. Navy conducts shock trials of new ship designs using live explosives to confirm that our warships can continue to meet demanding mission requirements under harsh conditions they might encounter in battle. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Novalee Manzella)

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The U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Nightmares are Just Beginning

Key Points and Summary – Aircraft carriers face real peril from anti-ship ballistic missiles, hypersonics, quiet submarines, and massed drones—threats that could sideline traditional,...

Jack BuckbyOctober 7, 2025

(April 8, 2017) The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) underway on its own power for the first time. The first-of-class ship -- the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years -- will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/Released)

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The Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier: The U.S. Navy’s Problem Child

Key Points and Summary – The Ford-class aimed to transform carrier aviation with EMALS, AAG, automated elevators, and a powerful electrical architecture to boost...

Jack BuckbyOctober 6, 2025

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China Might Be Building the Biggest Aircraft Carrier Ever

Key Points and Summary – China has started building the nuclear-powered Type 004 supercarrier, with satellite imagery from Dalian indicating keel work underway. -Projected...

Reuben JohnsonOctober 6, 2025

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 29, 2019) USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) conducts high-speed turns in the Atlantic Ocean. Ford is at sea conducting sea trials following the in port portion of its 15 month post-shakedown availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Connor Loessin).

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The U.S. Navy’s Big Aircraft Carrier Mistake Still Stings

Key Points and Summary – The Ford-class aircraft carrier delivered real deck-cycle and electrical gains—but at the worst possible strategic moment. -As China and...

Harry KazianisOctober 6, 2025

The world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams in the Adriatic Sea, June 23, 2023. Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, representing a generational leap in the U.S. Navy's capacity to project power on a global scale. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)

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The 5 Greatest U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Of All Time

Key Points and Summary – This piece argues that five U.S. Navy aircraft carrier classes are one evolving idea. -Essex delivered mass, repairability, and...

Harry KazianisOctober 5, 2025

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the "Blacklions" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 and a F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the "Golden Warriors" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 fly over the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72), April 11, 2025. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Atlantic Ocean completing integrated naval warfighting training. Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) is the Joint Force’s most complex integrated training event and prepares naval task forces for sustained high-end Joint and combined combat. Integrated naval training provides America’s civilian leaders and commanders highly-capable forces that deter adversaries, underpin American security and economic prosperity, and reassure Allies and partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maxwell Orlosky

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The Navy’s New Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers Can’t Hide All The Problems Anymore

Key Points and Summary – USS Enterprise (CVN-80), the third Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, has slipped to a 2030 delivery after successive delays. -Causes...

Caleb LarsonOctober 5, 2025

key allies and partners, while enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Crowley)

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Ford-Class vs. Nimitz-Class: What Makes These Supercarriers So Different?

Key Points and Summary – Ford-class carriers replace Nimitz-class with major upgrades: twin A1B reactors delivering triple the electrical power; EMALS catapults and Advanced...

Steve BalestrieriOctober 5, 2025

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The U.S. Navy’s Great Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Reboot Has Arrived

Key Points and Summary – America’s Ford-class supercarriers trade higher upfront costs for lasting combat value. -USS Gerald R. Ford debuts EMALS catapults and...

Brent M. EastwoodOctober 3, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

U.S. Navy Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier: 5 Biggest Complaints

Key Points and Summary – The Nimitz-class has carried U.S. airpower for decades—but time leaves fingerprints. -Aging hulls mean longer, pricier overhauls. George Washington’s...

Brent M. EastwoodOctober 1, 2025

National Security Journal

All posts tagged "Ford-Class"

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Nightmares are Just Beginning

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier: The U.S. Navy’s Problem Child

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

China Might Be Building the Biggest Aircraft Carrier Ever

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s Big Aircraft Carrier Mistake Still Stings

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The 5 Greatest U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Of All Time

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The Navy’s New Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers Can’t Hide All The Problems Anymore

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Ford-Class vs. Nimitz-Class: What Makes These Supercarriers So Different?

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s Great Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Reboot Has Arrived

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

U.S. Navy Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier: 5 Biggest Complaints

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