Biggest U.S Aircraft Carrier

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is the biggest U.S. aircraft carrier and the largest in the world. It is the lead ship of the Gerald R. Ford class and the most technologically advanced ship of the U.S. Navy.

It was named after the 38th President of the U.S, Gerald Ford, who fought in WWII onboard the light aircraft carrier Monterey in the Pacific Theatre.

Important Facts About The Biggest U.S Aircraft Carrier

Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding (Huntington Ingalls Industries)
Commissioned: 22 July 2017
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Displacement: ~100,000 long tons (full load)
Length: 337 m
Beam: 41 m at the waterline; flight deck width 78 m
Height: 76 m
Draft: 12 m
Decks: 25
Propulsion: Two Bechtel A1B nuclear reactors, four shafts
Speed: 30+ knots (56+ km/h)
Endurance: 50 years (nuclear-powered, with mid-life refuelling)
Crew: ~2,600 ship crew, ~4,539 total with air wing and staff
Aircraft Carried: 75+ (up to 90 including future unmanned systems)
Motto: “Integrity at the helm”.
Construction Cost: ~$12.8 billion (plus $4.7 billion R&D)

Onboard Systems of Biggest U.S Aircraft Carrier

Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS)

It replaced traditional steam catapults, allowing smoother and more reliable launches with less wear on airframes.
Increases sortie generation rate by 25–33% over Nimitz-class carriers

Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG)

This system is to recover aircraft and is capable of handling an array of aircraft types, including unmanned vehicles.

Dual Band Radar (DBR)

Combines AN/SPY-3 and AN/SPY-4 radars for advanced tracking and targeting.
Offers enhanced situational awareness and self-defence

All-Electric Systems

Does away with steam service lines, decreasing maintenance and improving corrosion control.

Automation and Crew

23 new or upgraded systems compared to the Nimitz-class.
Designed to operate with 500–900 fewer crew members, reducing costs and increasing efficiency

Armament

Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)
Close-In Weapon System for last-ditch missile defence
Extensive electronic warfare and countermeasures suites

Air Wing

The carrier supports a diverse and modern air wing, including:

F-35C Lightning II (stealth fighter)
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (multirole fighter)
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (airborne early warning)
EA-18G Growler (electronic warfare)
MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVS) in the future

Operations

Designed for 160 sorties per day, with surge capacity up to 220 sorties in high-intensity operations.
Greater ability to launch and recover aircraft, support joint operations, and adapt to future weapon systems.
Nuclear propulsion allows for unlimited range and sustained operations worldwide.

Gerald R. Ford’s first deployment was in October 2022, including operations in the Mediterranean, showing its capabilities and strength. It will replace the USS Enterprise and will lead the next-generation U.S. Carrier Strike Groups.

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Biggest U.S Aircraft Carrier

Important Facts About The Biggest U.S Aircraft Carrier

Onboard Systems of Biggest U.S Aircraft Carrier