USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. It is the first of the Ford-class of aircraft carriers, and was commissioned in 2017.
The Ford-class is designed to be a replacement for the Navy's aging Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, and features a number of new technologies and capabilities. One of the most notable features is the use of an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), which replaces the traditional steam-powered launch system used on previous carrier classes. This allows for a greater launch rate of aircraft and improved energy efficiency.
The USS Gerald R. Ford also has a larger flight deck than previous aircraft carriers, which allows for more aircraft to operate simultaneously. Additionally, it is equipped with a new advanced arresting gear system that allows for aircraft to land at higher speeds and with greater precision.
The ship is also nuclear-powered, which means it doesn't require refueling and has unlimited range, this make it capable of remaining at sea for extended periods of time without needing to refuel.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is also equipped with advanced defensive systems, including the Aegis Combat System and the Navy's newest air-defense radar, the AN/SPY-3.
The cost of the USS Gerald R. Ford was over $13 billion, making it one of the most expensive warships ever built