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US Navy Continues Funding in 2025 for Three Gerald R. Ford-Class Carriers to Counter China’s Naval Growth.
The U.S. Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request outlines continued funding for the construction and outfitting of the next-generation Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear aircraft carriers. This class represents a significant leap in terms of technology, capabilities, and operational efficiency when compared to the previous Nimitz-class carriers, which have been in service for over four decades. The budget allocates funds for three ships from this class: USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), USS Enterprise (CVN 80), and USS Doris Miller (CVN 81).
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The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), flagship of the Ford Carrier Strike Group, represents a major leap in the U.S. Navy's global power projection capabilities. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The CVN 80 (USS Enterprise) and CVN 81 (USS Doris Miller) are part of a dual-carrier procurement contract awarded in FY 2019, expected to yield about $4.0 billion in savings. This financial efficiency results from the economies of scale achieved by constructing both ships under a single contract. The FY 2025 budget also includes additional funding for outfitting, training equipment, and continued development of ship systems, ensuring these vessels will meet their full operational potential as they enter service.
The Gerald R. Ford-class carriers are poised to replace the aging Nimitz-class vessels, which have been in service for more than 40 years. These new ships bring cutting-edge technology and capabilities that are vital to maintaining the U.S. Navy’s supremacy in power projection, deterrence, and maritime security. One of the most significant upgrades is the all-electric power system that powers the Ford-class carriers. Unlike the previous Nimitz-class carriers, which used steam-based systems, the Ford-class relies on electric systems, eliminating steam service lines. This design not only improves efficiency but also reduces maintenance needs and enhances corrosion control, ultimately leading to reduced downtime and increased operational availability.
The A1B reactor, a newly designed nuclear propulsion system, provides more power and greater efficiency than earlier reactor designs. This allows the Ford-class carriers to generate enough energy to operate advanced systems and support the needs of the crew, while also increasing the ship’s overall sustainability and longevity. The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) replaces the traditional steam catapults, offering smoother and more reliable aircraft launches. This system is crucial in supporting a higher rate of aircraft launches while reducing wear and tear on both the aircraft and the ship's systems. Alongside EMALS, the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) replaces older mechanical arresting systems, offering enhanced reliability and efficiency in recovering aircraft. Both systems significantly improve the sortie generation rate (SGR), meaning that more aircraft can be launched and recovered in less time—critical for ensuring the ship’s ability to project power rapidly in combat scenarios.
Additionally, the Dual Band Radar (DBR) system provides comprehensive detection and tracking capabilities, significantly improving the carrier's radar performance and making it more effective in hostile and contested environments. The combined use of these advanced systems positions the Ford-class as the most capable and flexible aircraft carrier class in the U.S. Navy. Another notable feature of the Ford-class carriers is their reduced crew size. Automation and advanced technology allow for a significantly smaller crew compared to the Nimitz-class, reducing operational costs and easing the logistical burden on the Navy. Furthermore, these ships are designed to operate more efficiently, minimizing the total ownership cost and reducing maintenance frequency and scope.
The Ford-class carriers are equipped to provide a range of mission capabilities that are essential for maintaining forward presence, sea control, power projection, and deterrence. These ships will be at the forefront of U.S. naval strategy, providing a rapid response in times of crisis, as well as playing a key role in early decisive strikes during major combat operations. Their versatility makes them crucial in a range of missions, including humanitarian assistance and maritime security operations. Thanks to their advanced launch and recovery systems, the Ford-class carriers are optimized for rapid aircraft deployment. This capability is essential for sustaining continuous combat operations and ensuring that the U.S. Navy can project power quickly when needed. The ship’s focus on efficiency and reliability further enhances its effectiveness in high-intensity conflict, particularly in regions where the U.S. military must respond with speed and force.
Regarding the aviation assets that the Gerald R. Ford-class carriers can embark, they are designed to carry a wide range of aircraft to support diverse missions. The primary aircraft embarked on these carriers are F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters, with a typical complement of 44 of these multirole fighters, providing the Navy with robust air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. These fighters, along with the EA-18G Growler, an electronic warfare variant of the Super Hornet, enable the carrier to carry out a variety of combat operations, including suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and close air support. The F-35C Lightning II, the Navy’s variant of the fifth-generation stealth fighter, will also operate from these carriers, offering advanced capabilities in terms of stealth, precision strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), with typically 20-24 aircraft being carried.
Additionally, E-2D Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft will provide crucial surveillance and command-and-control functions, allowing the carrier to manage the battlespace effectively, with 4-6 Hawkeyes typically deployed. Finally, MH-60R Seahawk and MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters will provide anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue, and logistics support, with a typical complement of 6-8 helicopters. Overall, the Ford-class carriers can embark a total of 75-90 aircraft, depending on the mission requirements. The ship's design allows it to operate a highly versatile air wing capable of addressing a wide range of operational needs, from power projection to humanitarian aid. The Ford-class carriers' ability to carry these cutting-edge aircraft enhances their overall combat power, allowing the Navy to project force across the globe effectively and rapidly.
The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers represent the future of U.S. naval aviation, with plans for ten ships in total. As of now, six of these ships have been announced, and each plays an essential role in modernizing the U.S. Navy’s fleet. The first ship of the class, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), was commissioned in July 2017 and replaced the aging USS Enterprise (CVN-65). It is now an active part of the fleet, offering the Navy enhanced power projection capabilities. The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is currently scheduled for commissioning in 2025, replacing the USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The USS Enterprise (CVN-80) is under construction, with a scheduled launch in 2025 and commissioning in 2029, set to replace the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Similarly, the USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) is slated for construction in 2026, with a projected delivery in 2032, replacing the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).
Beyond these, additional ships are already planned. USS William J. Clinton (CVN-82) is scheduled for construction in 2027 and commissioning by 2036, replacing the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The USS George W. Bush (CVN-83) is also in the planning stages, though its specific timeline remains to be determined. Together, these ten Gerald R. Ford-class ships will provide the U.S. Navy with unmatched flexibility and capability for decades to come, maintaining American dominance over the world's oceans. As the Navy continues its modernization efforts, the investments in these carriers ensure that the U.S. military will remain prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
In the context of rising geopolitical tensions, particularly with China’s accelerating aircraft carrier development, the U.S. Navy’s emphasis on the Gerald R. Ford-class is of critical importance. China has been rapidly expanding and modernizing its naval capabilities, focusing heavily on its own aircraft carrier program. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) now operates the Liaoning and Shandong carriers, and a third, Fujian, has recently been launched. This growing fleet of Chinese carriers is a direct challenge to U.S. naval supremacy, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. response is the continued investment in advanced carriers like the Gerald R. Ford-class, which offers superior operational capabilities. With technologies like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), these ships provide enhanced operational flexibility, improved sortie generation rates, and increased power projection, allowing the U.S. to maintain its technological edge in the region. The Gerald R. Ford-class will play a key role in ensuring that the U.S. Navy can swiftly respond to any challenge posed by the PLAN, maintaining the balance of power in the Pacific and beyond.
In summary, the Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear aircraft carriers are a cornerstone of the U.S. Navy's future, offering superior technological capabilities, reduced operational costs, and increased combat readiness. With continued funding and development, these ships will solidify the Navy's role as a global force for deterrence, crisis response, and power projection.