The U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, has transited the Strait of Gibraltar and is heading east after recently operating in the Caribbean, positioning the world’s largest and most advanced warship closer to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
The 100,000-ton nuclear-powered carrier had been conducting operations in the Caribbean in recent weeks before shifting course across the Atlantic. Her passage through Gibraltar signals a clear repositioning toward the Mediterranean and, potentially, the U.S. Central Command theatre.
USS Gerald R. Ford is the lead ship of the Ford-class and represents the most technologically advanced carrier ever built. At 337 metres long with a flight deck spanning more than four acres, she is powered by two A1B nuclear reactors that provide virtually unlimited range and significantly greater electrical output than previous Nimitz-class ships. That additional power supports advanced systems across the ship and future upgrades.
The carrier is designed to embark an air wing of more than 75 aircraft, including F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes and MH-60 helicopters. Her Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System replaces traditional steam catapults, enabling smoother launches and reduced stress on airframes, while Advanced Arresting Gear improves aircraft recovery. Together, these systems are intended to generate higher sortie rates than earlier carriers.
Defensively, the ship is equipped with the AN/SPY-3 radar as part of the Dual Band Radar suite, along with Close-In Weapon Systems and Rolling Airframe Missiles to counter incoming threats. She operates at speeds exceeding 30 knots and sails as the centrepiece of a carrier strike group that typically includes guided missile destroyers and cruisers, along with a fast attack submarine.
The Ford-class was designed to reduce crew size compared with previous carriers, relying on greater automation and redesigned internal systems to lower lifecycle costs. Despite this, the ship still carries a complement of roughly 4,500 sailors and air wing personnel when fully embarked. Her movement eastwards places a significant concentration of U.S. naval air power within reach of the Middle East.
Considering there are probably millions of iranians that want to see the “supreme leaders” head on spike for all their dead friends and relatives, I’d wager they want this carrier to do something spectacular once it reaches the area
Not if it means Trump becomes effective Supreme Court Leader. Frying pan and fire comes to mind.
I wonder if all the glitches such as EMALS reliability and aircraft elevator faults been properly sorted?
Have they tried Tariffs ?
USS Gerald R. Ford definitely brings plenty of options:
Carrier Air Wing 8
▪ The “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
▪ The “Ragin Bulls” of VFA 37 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
▪ The “Golden Warriors” of VFA 87 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
▪ The “Black Lions” of VFA 213 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
▪ The “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
▪ The “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
▪ The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 Det. – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
▪ The “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
▪ The “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
AFAIK the Ford carrier group is 3 to 4 days away from being in position tons strike.
No strikes until after the Olympics closing ceremony.
I would say that it’s arguable as to whether the Ford can be described as the most powerful carrier in the world or indeed in the US fleet presently, as it still cannot fly the F-35 C, the article is incorrect there as it won’t be capable until it receives modification during its first refit. The carrier itself might be the most ‘powerful’ on paper but it’s only as effective as its air wing and the Carl Vinson and three others in reality are more powerful in terms of their air capability currently. One of those is the Abraham Lincoln presently on station in the Arabian Sea and thus will be more effective as things stand than the Ford when it arrives which will however provide the added mass. That’s unless we just write off the F-35 with its unique capabilities as an important factor in which case someone had better tell the RN.
Yup, It’s my Pet Hate !!!
Labels and headlines just don’t seem to be that accurate anymore.