Warships of the US Navy: aircraft carriers: Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) steams the Atlantic Ocean during a simulated straits transit with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) in the Atlantic Ocean, 9 October 2022. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO allies and partners since 5 October 2022. On deck are aircraft of Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8).

The Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are currently being constructed for the United States Navy, which intends to eventually acquire ten of these ships in order to replace current carriers on a one-for-one basis, starting with the lead ship of her class, Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), replacing Enterprise (CVN-65), and later the Nimitz-class carriers. The new vessels have a hull similar to the Nimitz class, but they carry technologies since developed with the CVN(X)/CVN-21 program, such as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), as well as other design features intended to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs, including sailing with smaller crews. This class of aircraft carriers is named after former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. CVN-78 was procured in 2008 and commissioned into service in July 2017. The second ship of the class, John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), initially scheduled to enter service in 2025, is now expected to be commissioned in 2027. (Wikipedia)

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Riley McDowell)

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 4 June 2020, marking the first time a Gerald R. Ford–class and a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier operated together underway. Gerald R. Ford is underway conducting integrated air wing operations, and the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group remained at sea in the Atlantic as a certified carrier strike group force ready for tasking in order to protect the crew from the risks posed by COVID-19, following their successful deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

(U.S. Navy photo by Erik Hildebrandt)

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 approaches the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The aircraft carrier is underway conducting test and evaluation operations.

(U.S. Navy photo by Erik Hildebrandt)

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 approaches the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) for an arrested landing. The aircraft carrier is underway conducting test and evaluation operations.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni)

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) underway under her own power for the first time while leaving Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia (USA), on 8 April 2017. The first-of-class ship – the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years – spent several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies.

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(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni)

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, after returning from Builder's Sea Trials and seven days underway.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean, 19 March 2023.

There are expected to be ten ships of this class. To date, six have been announced:

USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), launched on 29 October 2019, and christened on 7 December 2019.

USS Enterprise (CVN-80). She will be the ninth United States naval vessel and third aircraft carrier to bear the name, and is scheduled to be in operation by 2029. Her construction began in August 2017 with a steel-cutting ceremony.

USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), scheduled to be laid down January 2026, launched October 2029 and commissioned in 2032. She will be built at Newport News, Virginia.

USS William J. Clinton (CVN-82), scheduled to be laid down in 2027, launched in 2032 and commissioned by 2036. She will be built at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia.

USS George W. Bush (CVN-83), scheduled to be laid down after 2027. She will be built at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia.

CVN-84.

CVN-85.

CVN-86.

CVN-87.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins)

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) steams in the Mediterranean Sea, 11 Aug 2023.