CVN78

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is the lead aircraft carrier of the United States Navy’s Ford-class, designed to replace ships of the Nimitz class. Named for the 38th president, Gerald R. Ford, the vessel was built by Huntington Ingalls Industries at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Keel laid in 2009, it was launched in 2013 and commissioned on July 22, 2017.

Ford-class ships introduce notable advancements, including the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), which are intended to improve launch and recovery efficiency. The class also features increased electrical generation, a redesigned and more compact island, and improved damage control and survivability measures. The Gerald R. Ford is powered by two A1B nuclear reactors, enabling high endurance and sustained operations. It carries a carrier air wing of about 75 aircraft and hosts a ship’s company around 4,600 personnel.

In terms of characteristics, the ship displaces roughly 100,000 long tons, measures about 1,100 feet in length, and can reach speeds exceeding 30 knots. Its aviation facilities include a redesigned flight deck and aircraft handling systems intended to enhance sortie generation and flight operations. The Gerald R. Ford represents a modernization effort aimed at extending carrier capability and reducing lifecycle costs, with follow-on Ford-class ships planned to incorporate ongoing refinements and lessons learned from CVN-78’s development and early service.