USS Gerald R Ford: World՚s Largest Aircraft Carrier Inducted by US

The United States (US) Navy inducted USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) , the world՚s largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. USS Gerald Ford is first in the series of three of the futuristic ships of the Ford-class carriers ordered by US Navy. Its operational deployment will be in 2021 after undergoing final outfitting and testing.

World՚s Largest Aircraft Carrier Inducted by US

About USS Gerald R Ford

Most advanced aircraft carrier in the world.

  • Named after the 38th President of the US- Gerald Ford
  • Construction started in 2009 and completed by September 2015 at a cost of $ 10.5 billion.
  • Weighs 1 lakh tonnes
  • Is 1,106-feet long equivalent to size of about three football fields.
  • Has two nuclear reactors that can operate for up to 20 years without refueling.
  • Has electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) , replacing the steam system on earlier carriers
  • New electric motor-based Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system for faster and more efficient aircraft take-offs and landings.
  • Outfitted with touchscreen navigation display in place of a traditional throttle.
  • Has capacity for 2,600 sailors-600 less due to its more automated equipment.
  • Features advanced reactor plant, propulsion system, electric plant, machinery control, Dual Band Radar and integrated warfare systems.
  • 20 new or modified systems compared to Nimitz class vessels.

Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers

  • Compared to earlier Nimitz class aircraft carriers, Ford class carries have state-of-the-art technology and can carry more aircraft and weapons.
  • Ford-class carries new advanced US aircraft carrier design developed in 40 years, succeeding earlier Nimitz-class class.
  • The second ship in the series USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is under construction and work on the third carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 80) has begun.
  • Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the first new design for an aircraft carrier since USS Nimitz (CVN 68) . The shipbuilders saved the Navy a projected $ 4 billion in ownership costs over the ship՚s 50-year lifespan

Examrace Team at Aug 20, 2021