Gerald R. Ford Class Aircraft Carriers: General Characteristics

Gerald R. Ford Class Aircraft Carrier is the next generation of carrier. The lead ship hull number will be CVN 78 and began construction in 2007 with a delivery date slated for 2015 to replace USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The second, CVN 79, is programmed to begin construction in 2012 and to be placed in commission in 2018.

While the Ford Class uses the basic hull design of the preceding Nimitz-class, it will incorporate many new design features including a new nuclear reactor design (the A1B reactor), stealthier features reducing its radar profile, electromagnetic catapults, advanced arresting gear and a reduced crewing requirement. The primary recognition feature compared to earlier supercarriers will be the more aft location of its navigation "island".

Ford Class Aircraft Carrier Layout

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia are the lead constructors and the only shipyard in the United States capable of building nuclear powered aircraft carriers. The estimated to cost for each carrier is at least $8 billion excluding the $5 billion spent on R&D and does not represent of the cost of future members of the class. A total of three Ford Class aircraft carriers have been authorized for construction thusfar, but the last Nimitz Class aircraft carrier is not scheduled to be decommissioned until 2058.