CVN 78 USS Gerald R. Ford

• First-in-Class Carrier: USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the lead ship of the Ford-class aircraft carriers, the newest and most advanced class in the U.S. Navy, designed to replace the Nimitz-class carriers. • Named After a President: The carrier is named in honor of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. • Commissioning Date: USS Gerald R. Ford was commissioned on July 22, 2017, at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. • EMALS Launch System: The ship features the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), replacing traditional steam catapults, allowing faster and more reliable aircraft launches. • Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG): Ford-class carriers incorporate the new AAG system for safer and more efficient aircraft recoveries on the flight deck. • Increased Sortie Rate: The design improvements allow USS Gerald R. Ford to launch up to 33% more sorties (aircraft missions) per day compared to previous carriers. • Reduced Crew Size: Technological advancements have enabled a reduction in crew size by about 600 sailors compared to Nimitz-class carriers, improving cost efficiency. • First Carrier with All-Electric Utilities: Most of the ship's utilities, such as water and air systems, are powered electrically rather than by steam, reflecting Ford's innovative engineering. • Largest Warship Ever Built: At over 1,092 feet long and displacing approximately 100,000 tons, USS Gerald R. Ford is the largest warship in the world. • First Combat Deployment: In 2022, the USS Gerald R. Ford undertook its first operational deployment, participating in exercises with allied navies and demonstrating its capabilities across the Atlantic.