The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) recently marked a significant milestone by completing its first global deployment in Mediterranean waters as of 2023. The aircraft carrier, a cornerstone of the US Navy’s new generation of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, demonstrated its operational capabilities by conducting over 8,000 air operations in response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Despite facing various challenges since its inception, the unique capabilities of the USS Gerald R. Ford make it an indispensable asset to the fleet. However, experts have engaged in a debate regarding the high cost of Ford-class ships and their susceptibility to cyberattacks, hypersonic missiles, and other emerging threats, which could raise doubts about the future viability of the “supercarrier” concept.
The Nimitz class, the predecessor of the Ford-class, has historically proven the importance of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in naval power projection. The Ford-class design has been refined to surpass its predecessors with innovations like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMAL) and the Advanced Arrest Gear (AAG) to increase operational efficiency significantly.
The Ford-class aircraft carriers showcase revolutionary technology and strategic design, with systems like the EMAL and AAG enabling more aerial missions and unprecedented electrical capacity. Despite their advanced capabilities, the Ford-class faces challenges from evolving global threats such as unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles and hypersonic missiles, which could compromise their security.
However, the strategic capability offered by aircraft carriers, particularly nuclear-powered ones like the Ford-class, remains a fundamental pillar of American national defense. While other ships can perform similar functions, the effectiveness and sophistication of modern nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are unmatched in US military strategy. The ability of these carriers to project air power from any point in the ocean continues to be essential for national security.