With a manufacturing cost of up to 14 billion USD, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is considered the most expensive military weapon in the world. The ship has a tonnage of 112,000 tons, is as high as a 25-story building, 1,106 m long and 76 m wide. The scale of the ship and the operational structure of this “giant metal beast” are truly very complex. Let’s explore the power of the most expensive aircraft carrier in the world.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is 333 meters long, 77 meters high, the flight deck is 78 meters wide, and has a displacement of over 110,000 tons.
This aircraft carrier can accommodate nearly 4,500 sailors, compared to the 5,500 people assigned to operate Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, and 90 aircraft and many drones.
USS Gerald R. Ford can carry over 90 aircraft of all types, including fighter aircraft, early warning helicopters, anti-submarine helicopters, drones… including stealth super planes. fifth generation F-35 and “killer” X-47B.
This new aircraft carrier is 330m long, has a new nuclear power plant, and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system.
It can accommodate more warplanes than other types of aircraft carriers and can fly 25% more missions, launching aircraft faster than conventional carriers.
Ford-class aircraft carriers represent new aircraft carriers with a design period of over 40 years.
This is the most technologically advanced aircraft carrier ever built, and will join the fleet in 2016.
The new ship was named after President Gerald Ford.
The US plans to build 10 USS Gerald R.Ford before 2058, replacing the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier currently in service.
USS Gerald R.Ford will be equipped with modern technology and weapons such as: an advanced “aircraft capture” system to support fighters when landing on the ship, and enhanced automatic systems to help reduce aircraft costs. hundred personnel in the crew compared to Nimitz-class ships, upgraded RIM-162 Sea Sparrow missile system.
Construction of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) began in November 2009 and until today it began to take shape.
Compared to the Nimitz class of aircraft carriers, the Gerald R.Ford is equipped with many new and superior technologies, increasing automation.
The ship will be equipped with 2 nuclear reactors allowing for unlimited operating range, requiring fuel replacement after 20-25 years of operation.
The ship is capable of carrying up to 90 aircraft of all types including: F-35C, F/A-18E/F fighters, E-2D early warning aircraft, EA-18G electronic attack aircraft, MH helicopters. -60R/S and possibly reconnaissance/combat drones.
The aircraft launch system will use a traditional hydraulic launcher combined with the new EMALS electromagnetic launcher.
The number of sorties that the ship responded to in a day increased to 160 times (compared to 140 times of the Nimitz).
Regarding defensive weapon firepower, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) will be equipped with RIM-116 air defense missiles and Phalanx 20mm high-speed anti-aircraft artillery complexes.
The ship will be operated by a crew and crew of 4,660 (less than the Nimitz class). USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and its sister ships will later continue to help America maintain superiority in the seas.
The parameters of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) are truly impressive, with a full load displacement of over 100,000 tons, a height equivalent to a 20-story building, 337m long, 78m wide.
