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rom steel plates to marine behemoths: What are the amazing stories behind the construction of the USS Gerald R. Ford
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), as the leader of the U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers, is undoubtedly a technological miracle in the ocean. The construction process of this aircraft carrier was full of challenges, innovations and significance. It bore the name of a US president and became the largest warship in history. This article will give you an in-depth look at the amazing stories of the construction of this giant aircraft carrier.
Origin of naming
The naming process of USS Gerald R. Ford is also a unique story. In 2006, then-Virginia Senator John Warner proposed in Congress that the new aircraft carrier be named USS Gerald Ford, and the proposal was confirmed in a bill signed by President George W. Bush, although This is not legally binding.
In a meeting with the Ford family, then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told Ford that he would be honored with this honor.
The arduous journey of construction
On August 11, 2005, construction work officially started. The U.S. Navy signed a $5.1 billion contract with Northrop Grumman to design and build an aircraft carrier. There were numerous delays during construction due to budgetary and other challenges.
When the construction progress reached 90% at the end of 2012, it triggered discussions about the shipbuilding budget and technical issues, and the "ultra-large lift" required for construction still required extensive testing.
Technological innovation
USS Gerald R. Ford is the first aircraft carrier to introduce the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and the Advanced Garage (AAG), which significantly improve combat efficiency and ammunition handling capabilities. These innovations not only improve the combat performance of the aircraft carrier, but also reduce the need for ship operators by 25%.
The top commander of the U.S. Navy said: "She is truly a technological marvel."
Testing and service
On May 31, 2017, the Geral Ford was officially delivered to the U.S. Navy and began a series of tests at sea shortly thereafter. With the further improvement of various systems, the aircraft carrier was officially commissioned on July 22, 2017. Despite this, it still faced operational issues with its weapons elevators and electromagnetic take-off system, which were still mentioned in subsequent internal reports in 2020.
First deployment and tasks
In October 2022, the USS Gerald R. Ford bumped out from the naval base, launched its first deployment, and performed missions in the Atlantic Ocean. The deployment not only included joint exercises with NATO allies, but also traveled to ports in Canada and the United Kingdom.
New challenges faced
As an orderly force in the U.S. Navy, Gerald R. Ford will once again perform missions in the Mediterranean in 2023, demonstrating its global power projection capabilities. It is not only a symbol of strength, but also the crystallization of true naval warfare technology. However, as external threats change, the ship faces many new challenges.
During naval exercises with the Italian Navy, the aircraft carrier demonstrated its attractiveness and capabilities.
After a long period of construction and testing, the USS Gerald R. Ford finally returned to the Norfolk base in 2024. The results of its service are worth looking forward to. In the past 84,576 nautical miles of sailing record, we can't help but think: What impact will this giant aircraft carrier have in the future, and what changes will it make to the resource allocation of global sea power?
