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USS Gerald R. Ford

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USS Gerald R. Ford
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 9 October 2022 (221009-N-TL968-1248)
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) after departing Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia – May 2, 2023
Career (United States)
Name: Gerald R. Ford
Namesake: Gerald R. Ford
Awarded: 10 September 2008
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding
Cost: $12.8 billion + $4.7 billion R&D (estimated)[1]
Laid down: 13 November 2009[2]
Launched: 11 October 2013[3]
Sponsored by: Susan Ford[4]
Christened: 9 November 2013[5]
Acquired: 31 May 2017[6]
Commissioned: 22 July 2017[7]
Homeport: Norfolk, Virginia
Motto: Integrity at the helm
Status: in active service, as of 2025
Badge: USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) crest
General characteristics
Class & type: Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier
Displacement: About 100,000 long tons (110,000 short tons; 100,000 tonnes) (full load)[8]
Length: 1,106 ft (337 m)[9]
Beam:
  • 134 ft (41 m) (waterline)
  • 256 ft (78 m) (flight deck)
Height: 250 ft (76 m)
Draft: 39 ft (12 m)[10]
Decks: 25
Installed power: Template:Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier power
Propulsion: Four shafts
Speed: In excess of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range: ≈25 years before mid-life refuel[11][12]
Complement: 4539 (including air wing)[13]
Sensors and
processing systems:
Armament:
  • Surface-to-air missiles:
  • 2 × RIM-162 ESSM launchers
  • 2 × RIM-116 RAM
  • Guns:
  • 3 × Phalanx CIWS
  • 4 × Mk 38 25 mm Machine Gun Systems
  • 4 × M2 .50 Cal. (12.7 mm) machine guns
    • Aircraft carried: 75+[14]
    Aviation facilities: 1,092 ft × 256 ft (333 m × 78 m) flight deck

    USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the lead ship of her class. The ship is named after the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford, whose World War II naval service included combat duty aboard the light aircraft carrier Monterey in the Pacific Theater.[15]

    Construction began on 11 August 2005, when Northrop Grumman held a ceremonial steel cut for a 15-ton plate that forms part of a side shell unit of the carrier.[16] The keel of Gerald R. Ford was laid down on 13 November 2009.[2] She was christened on 9 November 2013.[5] Gerald R. Ford entered the fleet replacing the decommissioned USS Enterprise (CVN-65), which ended her 51 years of active service in December 2012.[17][18] Originally scheduled for delivery in 2015,[19] Gerald R. Ford was delivered to the Navy on 31 May 2017[6] and formally commissioned by President Donald Trump on 22 July 2017.[7][20][21] She departed Naval Station Norfolk on her first deployment on 2 May 2023.[22] As of February 2025, she is the world's largest aircraft carrier, and the largest warship ever constructed.[23][24]

    Naming[]

    Ford in uniform, circa 1945.

    Ford in U.S. Navy uniform, circa 1945.

    In 2006, while Gerald Ford was still alive, Senator John Warner of Virginia proposed to amend a 2007 defense-spending bill to declare that CVN-78 "shall be named the USS Gerald Ford."[25] The final version, signed by President George W. Bush on 17 October 2006,[26] declared only that it "is the sense of Congress that ... CVN-78 should be named the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford."[27] Since such "sense of" language is typically non-binding and does not carry the force of law, the Navy was not required to name the ship after Ford.[28]

    On 3 January 2007, former United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced that the aircraft carrier would be named after Ford during a eulogy for President Ford at Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids, Michigan.[29] Rumsfeld indicated that he had personally told Ford of the honor during a visit to his home in Rancho Mirage a few weeks before Ford's death. This makes the aircraft carrier one of the few U.S. ships named after a living person. Later in the day, the Navy confirmed that the aircraft carrier would indeed be named after the former president.[30] On 16 January 2007, Navy Secretary Donald Winter officially named CVN-78 USS Gerald R. Ford. Ford's daughter Susan Ford Bales was named the ship's sponsor. The announcements were made at a Pentagon ceremony attended by Vice President Dick Cheney, Senators Warner (R-VA) and Levin (D-MI), Major General Guy C. Swan III, Bales, Ford's other three children, and others.[31]

    The USS America Carrier Veterans Association (CVA) had pushed to name the ship USS America. The CVA is an association of sailors who served aboard USS America (CV-66). The carrier was decommissioned in 1996 and scuttled in 2005 in the Atlantic, as part of a damage test of large deck aircraft carriers.[32] The name "America" was instead assigned to USS America (LHA-6), an amphibious assault ship commissioned in 2014.[33][34]

    History[]

    Construction[]

    On 10 September 2008, the U.S. Navy signed a $5.1 billion contract with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia, to design and construct the carrier. Northrop had begun advanced construction of the carrier under a $2.7 billion contract in 2005. The carrier was constructed at the Huntington Ingalls (formerly Northrop Grumman) Newport News Shipbuilding facilities in Newport News.[19]

    The keel of the new warship was ceremonially laid on 14 November 2009 in Dry Dock 12 by President Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales. In a speech to the assembled shipworkers and Department of Defense officials, Bales said: "Dad met the staggering challenges of restoring trust in the presidency and healing the nation's wounds after Watergate in the only way he knew how—with complete honesty and integrity. And that is the legacy we remember this morning."[35]

    In August 2011, the carrier was reported to be "structurally halfway complete".[36] In April 2012, construction was said to be 75% complete.[37] On 24 May 2012, the important milestone of completing the vessel up to the waterline was reached when the critical lower bow was lifted into place.[38] This was the 390th of the nearly 500 lifts of the integral modular components from which the vessel is assembled. Huntington Ingalls reported in an 8 November press release that construction had "reached 87% structural completion".[39] By 19 December 2012, construction had reached 90% structural completion. "Of the nearly 500 total structural lifts needed to complete the ship, 446 have been accomplished."[40]

    The island was landed and accompanying ceremony took place on 26 January 2013.[41][42] On 7 May, the last of 162 superlifts was put in place, bringing the ship to structural completion.[43][44] On 11 July, a time capsule was welded into a small room just above the floor, continuing a long Navy tradition. The time capsule holds items chosen by Susan Ford Bales, and includes sandstone from the White House, Navy coins, and aviator wings from the ship's first commanding officer.[45]

    The ship was originally scheduled for launch in July 2013 and delivery in 2015.[36] Production delays meant that the launch was delayed until 11 October 2013 and the naming ceremony until 9 November 2013,[46] with delivery in February 2016.[47]

    On 3 October 2013, Gerald R. Ford had four 30-ton, 21 ft (6.4 m)-diameter bronze propellers installed. The installation of the propellers required more than 10 months of work to install the underwater shafting.[48] On 11 October, the ship's drydock was flooded for the first time to test various seawater-based systems.[49] Her launch date was set to be on the same day as her naming ceremony on 9 November 2013.[50] On 9 November, the ship was christened by Susan Ford Bales, with a bottle of American sparkling wine.[5][51][52] The ship's crest was developed jointly by the ship sponsor and first commanding officer, Captain John F. Meier.[53]

    As of 2013, construction costs were estimated at $12.8 billion, 22% over the 2008 budget, plus $4.7 billion in research and development costs. Because of budget difficulties, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert warned there might be a two-year delay beyond 2016 in completing Gerald R. Ford.[54] The GAO reported that the price cap would be met by the Navy accepting an incomplete ship for that cost.[55]

    On 23 September 2015, the Navy announced that several weeks of testing delays would likely slip the delivery date into April or May 2016. In addition, construction was 93% complete as of September 2015.[56] In July 2016, a memorandum was obtained by CNN from Michael Gilmore, the US Department of Defense's director of Operational Testing and Evaluation indicating that problems with four major flight systems would further delay combat readiness of the ship. She was not expected to be delivered until November 2016, and these issues were suggested to further delay that goal. Construction of the ship was described as 98% complete, with 88% of testing finished.[57] A video documentary of the construction was released by Newport News Shipbuilding in 2017.[58]

    By March 2018, due to issues with the nuclear propulsion system and munitions elevators, construction costs had reached $13.027 billion, making Gerald R. Ford the most expensive warship ever built. Planned delivery to the Navy was delayed again, by three months, to October 2019.[59][60]

    Performance improvements[]

    Gerald R. Ford is intended to be the first of a class of aircraft carriers that offer significant performance improvements over the previous Nimitz class. Gerald R. Ford is equipped with an AN/SPY-3 and AN/SPY-4 active electronically scanned array multi-function, multi-band radar,[61] with the Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Mk2 Baseline 10 of the Mod 6 variant command and control system.[62] Its island, shorter in length and 20 feet (6.1 m) taller than that of the Nimitz class, is set 140 feet (43 m) farther aft and 3 feet (0.91 m) closer to the edge of the ship. Replacing traditional steam catapults, the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) will launch all non-VTOL carrier aircraft. This innovation eliminates the traditional requirement to generate and store steam, freeing up considerable area below-deck. With the EMALS, Gerald R. Ford can accomplish 25% more aircraft launches per day than the Nimitz class and requires 25% fewer crew members. The Navy estimates it will save $4 billion in operating costs over a 50-year lifespan.[63] According to an Associated Press story:

    "She is truly a technological marvel," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert said in a webcast ceremony at the Newport News, Va., shipyard where Gerald R. Ford is being built, "She will carry unmanned aircraft, joint strike fighters, and she will deploy lasers."[64]

    These performance enhancements were problematic in Pentagon tests, and final software fixes for some of the problems were delayed until after the ship's post-shakedown availability in 2019.[65][66][67]

    Operational and major system testing[]

    Gerald R

    Gerald R. Ford undergoing the third and final blast of the shock trials, 8 August 2021

    In January 2014, the annual Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) report recorded that critical ship systems in laboratory and test environments (including the EMALS, Advanced Arresting Gear, dual-band radar, and weapons elevators) were not reliable enough and needed more testing and improvements. The Navy implemented a rigorous testing program to ensure performance issues would be resolved before the systems were installed on the aircraft carrier.[citation needed] Major problems with the main turbine generators were found in June 2016.[68] The fix, requiring design changes, was installed and was verified during acceptance trials in May 2017.[69] The Initial Operational Test & Evaluation milestone was achieved in April 2017.[70] On 8 April 2017, Gerald R. Ford got underway under her own power for the first time as she headed to sea for builder's trials.[71] She completed the trials and returned to port at Naval Station Norfolk on 14 April 2017.[72] On 24 May 2017, she departed for acceptance trials and completed them on 26 May 2017.[73][6]

    In 2018, the Navy requested to delay shock trials for at least six years to speed up the ship's deployment, but this request was denied.[74] On 18 June 2021, Gerald R. Ford completed her first full-ship shock trial 87 nautical miles (161 km; 100 mi) off Ponce Inlet, Florida, to ensure that she is able to withstand battle conditions.[75][76] 40,000 pounds (18 t) of TNT was detonated underwater, measured as a 3.9 magnitude earthquake by USGS.[77] Additional tests were conducted in July and August, with the test detonations set off closer to the hull. The ship was determined to have passed the tests and this concluded the trials.[78]

    Delivery[]

    On 31 May 2017, Newport News Shipbuilding delivered Gerald R. Ford to the U.S. Navy and her status was changed to Special, in service.[6][14] Gerald R. Ford was formally commissioned into the United States Navy on 22 July 2017.[7] On 28 July, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) performed the first arrested landing and catapult launch from Gerald R. Ford in an F/A-18F Super Hornet.[67][79][80]

    According to a GAO report in mid-2020 Gerald R. Ford was still reporting significant problems with the operation of her weapons elevators,[81] while a DoD report in early 2021 stated that the ship was still not combat-ready, citing continuing problems with the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Designed to achieve 4,166 aircraft launches between operational mission failures, it instead accomplished only 181.[82][83]

    On 20 March 2021, Gerald R. Ford and the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour conducted Ready for Operations (RFO) by the Italian Navy while transiting the Atlantic Ocean.[84] In September 2022, Rear Adm. James Downey described the ship as "fully delivered" and has "met her initial operating capability".[85]

    Operational service[]

    2022[]

    Gerald R. Ford returning to Naval Station Norfolk after completing her inaugural deployment to the Atlantic Ocean, 26 November 2022.

    Gerald R. Ford returning to Naval Station Norfolk after completing her inaugural deployment to the Atlantic Ocean, 26 November 2022.

    Gerald R. Ford left Naval Station Norfolk for Task Force Exercise (TFEX) on 4 October 2022. The carrier was to conduct operations and training exercises alongside NATO allies and partners throughout the Atlantic Ocean. Gerald R. Ford's Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12) included Carrier Air Wing 8, USS Normandy, Destroyer Squadron 2 with USS Ramage, USS McFaul and USS Thomas Hudner, auxiliaries USNS Joshua Humphreys and USNS Robert E. Peary, and the United States Coast Guard cutter USCGC Hamilton.[86] Among the first NATO ships assigned to CSG 12 was the German frigate Hessen.[87]

    Gerald R. Ford's first port visit outside of her home country was on 28 October 2022, to Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia, home of CFB Halifax, Canada's largest military installation and home port of the Royal Canadian Navy's Atlantic fleet.[88][89][90] On 14 November 2022 the ship arrived in United Kingdom waters, for a four-day visit anchored in Stokes Bay near Gosport.[91] She returned to Norfolk on 26 November 2022.[92]

    2023[]

    On 3 May 2023, Gerald R. Ford departed Naval Station Norfolk on her first full-length deployment and was scheduled to be operating in the 2nd and 6th Fleet's Area of Responsibility.[93] On 24 May the ship arrived just outside Oslo, Norway, for NATO exercises,[94][95] hosting a visit from Norway's Crown Prince Haakon.[96] She was scheduled to head towards the Arctic Ocean later for further drills.[97] On 26 June the ship sailed to the Mediterranean Sea and arrived at Split, Croatia, for crew rest.[98] In early October, Gerald R. Ford conducted naval exercises with the Italian navy in the Ionian Sea.[99]

    On 8 October 2023, the day after the Hamas attack on Israel, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, directed the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean "to bolster regional deterrence efforts." Along with the carrier, the group includes the cruiser Normandy, and the destroyers Ramage, Carney, Roosevelt, and Thomas Hudner.[100] The U.S. later also sent USS Dwight D. Eisenhower-led Carrier Strike Group 2 to the Mediterranean to supplement CSG 12 in the same mission.[101] While the carrier remained in the Mediterranean, several of the escort ships were sent into the Red Sea, where they repeatedly intercepted missiles and drones fired from Yemen.[102]

    2024[]

    The U.S. 6th Fleet announced on 1 January 2024, that the Gerald R. Ford CSG 12 would return to Norfolk after being relieved by an Amphibious Ready Group consisting of USS Bataan, USS Mesa Verde, and USS Carter Hall.[102][101] On 17 January, Gerald R. Ford returned to Norfolk after an eight-month deployment. The carrier spent a total of 239 days away from Norfolk, conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 10,396 sorties, and sailed more than 83,476 nmi (154,598 km; 96,062 mi).[103]

    2025[]

    On 12 September 2025, Gerald R. Ford arrived in Oslo, Norway, for a scheduled port visit.[104] Prior to arrival, the carrier and its strike group conducted operations in the North and Norwegian Seas, including joint exercises in the Arctic Circle with the Royal Norwegian Navy’s HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl and HNoMS Maud, Germany’s FGS Hamburg, and France’s FS Aquitaine and FS Somme.[105] While in port, the crew participated in city tours and local events, including a veteran’s run, and engaged in public outreach in Oslo.[106]

    Awards[]

    Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

    See also[]

    References[]

    1. ↑ O'Rourke, Ronald (22 October 2013). "Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress". Congressional Research Service. p. 4. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/weapons/RS20643.pdf.  FY14 cost of CVN-79 (procured in FY13) in then-year dollars; the same budget puts the cost of CVN-78 (procured in FY08) at $12,829.3 million but that includes ~$3.3bn of development costs. CVN-80 is estimated at $13,874.2m, making the total cost of the first three Fords $38,041.9m, or $12.68bn each.
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ford Keel Laid for Future Carrier, Class". 16 November 2009. http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=49657. 
    3. ↑ "Newport News Shipbuilding to Flood Dry Dock and Float Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)". Huntingdon Ingalls Industries. 9 October 2013. http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/newport-news-shipbuilding-to-flood-dry-dock-and-float-gerald-r-ford-cvn-78. 
    4. ↑ Murray, Dave (13 November 2009). "Gerald R. Ford ship ceremony brings Susan Ford Bales, Family to Newport News, Virginia". The Grand Rapids Press. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/11/gerald_r_ford_ship_ceremony_br.html. 
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Christening Ceremony". Navy Live. 8 November 2013. http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/11/08/pcu-gerald-r-ford-cvn-78-christening-ceremony/. 
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Huntington Ingalls Industries Delivers Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) To U.S. Navy". Huntingdon Ingalls Industries. 1 June 2017. http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/aircraft-carrier-gerald-r-ford-cvn78-delivered. 
    7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "President Trump Commissions USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)". United States Navy. 22 July 2017. NNS170722-01. http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=101579. 
    8. ↑ "Aircraft Carriers - CVN". Fact File. United States Navy. 12 January 2016. http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=200&ct=4. Retrieved 25 January 2016. 
    9. ↑ "Command History & Facts". US Navy. https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/Organization/Aircraft-Carriers/USS-Gerald-R-Ford-CVN-78/Command-History/. 
    10. ↑ "USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)". U.S. Carriers. http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn78.htm. 
    11. ↑ "Engineering Destruction: The Terrifying and Awesome Power of The USS Gerald R. Ford". 7 August 2017. https://www.engineering.com/story/engineering-destruction-the-terrifying-and-awesome-power-of-the-uss-gerald-r-ford. 
    12. ↑ "Video: Nuclear Vs Diesel Aircraft Carriers – How do they Compare?". 8 June 2021. https://themaritimepost.com/2021/06/video-nuclear-versus-diesel-aircraft-carriers-how-do-they-compare/. 
    13. ↑ "Gerald R. Ford Class Aircraft Carrier" (in en). https://www.military.com/equipment/gerald-r-ford-class-aircraft-carrier. 
    14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Aircraft Carriers – CVN". http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_print.asp?cid=4200&tid=200&ct=4&page=2. 
    15. ↑ "Navy Names New Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford". Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs). 16 January 2007. http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=10399. 
    16. ↑ "USS Gerald R. Ford CVN 78". U.S. Carriers. 8 March 2015. http://www.uscarriers.net/cvn78history.htm. 
    17. ↑ O'Rourke, Ronald (25 May 2005). "Navy CVN-21 Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress". Department of the Navy. http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/navycvn21.htm. 
    18. ↑ "USS Enterprise: Past Present And Future". The Official US Navy Blog. US Navy. http://navylive.dodlive.mil/?p=14424. 
    19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Adams, Kathy (11 September 2008). "Newport News shipyard gets $5.1B contract for carrier Ford". http://pilotonline.com/business/newport-news-shipyard-gets-b-contract-for-carrier-ford/article_e6896f50-7dfa-5daa-a4c8-563a2e5b1d6e.html. 
    20. ↑ Jenkins, Aric (22 July 2017). "The USS Gerald Ford Is the Most Advanced Aircraft Carrier in the World". Fortune. http://fortune.com/2017/07/22/uss-gerald-ford-commissioning/. 
    21. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (18 January 2017). "Delay in Aircraft Carrier Ford Testing Could Compress Workups for First Deployment". https://news.usni.org/2017/01/18/delay-in-aircraft-carrier-ford-testing-could-compress-workups-for-first-deployment. 
    22. ↑ Laroisa, Aaron-Matthew (2023-05-02). "Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Departs Norfolk for Worldwide Deployment". https://news.usni.org/2023/05/02/aircraft-carrier-uss-gerald-r-ford-departs-norfolk-for-worldwide-deployment. 
    23. ↑ Szondy, David (22 July 2017). "World's largest supercarrier USS Gerald R Ford commissioned". New Atlas. https://newatlas.com/uss-gerald-ford-commissioning/50577/. 
    24. ↑ "Up close with the world's largest warship". 19 November 2022. https://www.navylookout.com/up-close-with-the-worlds-largest-warship/. 
    25. ↑ United States Library of Congress. "Congressional Record, S5815". http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2006_record&page=S5815&position=all. , Senate Amendment 4211. Retrieved 5 December 2006.
    26. ↑ Garamone, Jim (17 October 2006). "President Signs 2007 Defense Authorization Act". U.S. Department of Defense. http://www.defenselink.mil/News/NewsArticle.aspx?id=1650. 
    27. ↑ "House Resolution 5122, Section 1012". United States Library of Congress. 2 January 2007. p. 292. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_bills&docid=f:h5122enr.txt.pdf. 
    28. ↑ "C-SPAN's Capitol Questions: Sense of Congress". C-SPAN. 28 March 2001. http://www.c-span.org/questions/week140.asp. 
    29. ↑ "Donald Rumsfeld's Eulogy for President Ford". Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. 3 January 2007. http://www.ford.utexas.edu/grf/Funeral/rumsfeld.asp. 
    30. ↑ "Next Navy aircraft carrier to be named for late President Gerald Ford, buried Wednesday". 3 January 2007. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/03/america/NA_GEN_US_Gerald_Ford_Carrier.php. 
    31. ↑ "Remarks by Susan Ford Bales at the Naming Ceremony for the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)". Gerald R. Ford Foundation. 16 January 2007. http://www.gvsu.edu/ford/index.cfm?id=64CE86AD-B639-5F3E-1D2A21C288593229. 
    32. ↑ "Name CVN78 USS America: A new flagship for America!". USS America Carrier Veterans Association. 21 January 2007. http://www.cvn78.com/index.htm. 
    33. ↑ "Navy Names New Amphibious Assault Ship". United States Navy. 30 June 2008. http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=38154. 
    34. ↑ Scorza, John (12 October 2014). "Navy USS America Joins the Fleet". United States Navy. https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lha6/Pages/USSAmericaJoinstheFleet.aspx. 
    35. ↑ Frost, Peter (15 November 2009). "Shipyard Lays Keel of Carrier in Solemn Tribute To Gerald R. Ford". 
    36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Steele, Jeanette (18 August 2011). "Navy's next aircraft carrier halfway complete". https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/military/sdut-navys-next-aircraft-carrier-halfway-complete-2011aug18-story.html. 
    37. ↑ Lessig, Hugh. "Gerald Ford carrier construction reaches milestone". HR Military. http://www.dailypress.com/news/military/dp-nws-carrier-ford-75percent-20120416,0,6450194.story. 
    38. ↑ Gooding, Mike. "Bow piece for USS Gerald R. Ford lifted into place". WVEC Television. http://www.wvec.com/news/local/Bow-piece-for-USS-Gerald-R-Ford-lifted-into-place-153636285.html. 
    39. ↑ "Huntington Ingalls Industries Reports Third Quarter Results; Reaches Significant Milestones on Path to 2015 Financial Targets". Huntington Ingalls Industries. 11 August 2012. http://www.4-traders.com/HUNTINGTON-INGALLS-INDUST-7642101/news/Huntington-Ingalls-Industries-Inc--Huntington-Ingalls-Industries-Reports-Third-Quarter-Results-Rea-15480567/. 
    40. ↑ "Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) Hits the 90 Percent Mark for Structural Completion". Huntington Ingalls. 19 December 2012. http://ir.huntingtoningalls.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=243052&p=irol-newsArticle&id=1768655. 
    41. ↑ "Gerald R Ford CVN 78". Newport News Shipbuilding. http://nns.huntingtoningalls.com/products/carriers/ford/cvn78. 
    42. ↑ "Newport News Shipbuilding Completes Flight Deck on Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford". 16 April 2013. http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1000. 
    43. ↑ "Next milestone today for carrier USS Gerald R. Ford". 7 May 2013. http://www.wvec.com/my-city/nnews/Another-milestone-today-for-carrier-USS-Gerald-R-Ford-206389781.html. 
    44. ↑ "Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Aircraft Carrier's Primary Hull Structure Reaches 100 Percent Completion". Huntington Ingalls. 8 May 2013. http://www.globenewswire.com/newsarchive/hii/pages/news_releases.html?d=10031990. 
    45. ↑ Vergakis, Brock (11 July 2013). "Time capsule welded into future USS Gerald R. Ford". Associated Press. http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130711/NEWS04/307110022/Time-capsule-welded-into-future-USS-Gerald-R-Ford. 
    46. ↑ Cavas, Christopher (3 October 2013). "New Ship News – Sub launched, Carrier prepped, LCS delivered". http://intercepts.defensenews.com/2013/10/8761/. 
    47. ↑ "3rd elevator installed on USS Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipyard". 16 August 2013. http://legacy.13newsnow.com/story/news/local/mycity/newport-news/2014/09/10/14825130/. 
    48. ↑ "Newport News Shipbuilding Installs 30-Ton Propellers on Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford". 3 October 2013. https://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20131003-909281.html. 
    49. ↑ Lessig, Hugh (11 October 2013). "Floating the Ford: New carrier meets the water". http://www.dailypress.com/news/military/dp-nws-ford-drydock-flooded-20131011,0,7552846.story. 
    50. ↑ Ellison, Garret (13 October 2013). "Navy floods dry dock around USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier ahead of 9 Nov. christening". Michigan Live. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/10/navys_newest_aircraft_carrier.html. 
    51. ↑ Huntington Ingalls Industries (12 November 2013). "Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Christened at Newport News Shipbuilding". http://www.defencetalk.com/aircraft-carrier-gerald-r-ford-cvn-78-christened-at-newport-news-shipbuilding-49604/. 
    52. ↑ "Time Lapse: Keel Laying to Christening of America's Next Carrier". Huntington Ingalls Industries. 2013-11-09. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ozS36fM1EU&t=45s. 
    53. ↑ "Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Newsletter / Special Commissioning Edition". Gerald R. Ford Foundation. 2017. https://geraldrfordfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/RFS-Final-Commissioning-Special-Edition.pdf. 
    54. ↑ "Statement of Admiral Jonathan Greenert, CNO". U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. 7 November 2013. https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Greenert_11-07-131.pdf. 
    55. ↑ Slavin, Erik (21 November 2014). "GAO: Navy carrier will be incomplete, cost more at delivery". http://www.stripes.com/gao-navy-carrier-will-be-incomplete-cost-more-at-delivery-1.315358. 
    56. ↑ "Delivery of US Navy's USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier further delayed". Kable. 23 September 2015. http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsdelivery-of-us-navys-uss-gerald-r-ford-aircraft-carrier-further-delayed-4677028. 
    57. ↑ Cohen, Zachary (25 July 2016). "U.S. Navy's new $13B aircraft carrier can't fight". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/25/politics/uss-gerald-r-ford-aircraft-carrier-delay/index.html. 
    58. ↑ "Building Integrity, Building Ford: A Documentary". Huntington Ingalls Industries. 2017-12-18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHn1G9HLR2A. 
    59. ↑ Mizokami, Kyle (2019-03-28). "The Navy's Newest Aircraft Carrier Is Delayed, Yet Again" (in en-US). Popular Mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a26975852/the-navys-newest-aircraft-carrier-is-delayed-yet-again/. 
    60. ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan. "US Navy's $13 Billion Supercarrier Just Got Even More Expensive" (in en-US). https://thediplomat.com/2018/05/us-navys-13-billion-supercarrier-just-got-even-more-expensive/. 
    61. ↑ Cavas, Christopher P. (8 August 2017). "Dual Band Radar Swapped Out in New Carriers". https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2015/03/17/dual-band-radar-swapped-out-in-new-carriers/. 
    62. ↑ "Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Mk 2 Integrated Combat Systems". Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation. 2022. https://www.dote.osd.mil/Portals/97/pub/reports/FY2022/navy/2022ssds.pdf. 
    63. ↑ "New Ford-class aircraft carrier: 25 percent more flights per day". The Christian Science Monitor. 9 November 2013. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/1109/USS-Gerald-R.-Ford-New-aircraft-carrier-with-25-percent-more-flights-per-day. 
    64. ↑ Vergakis, Brock (9 October 2013). "Navy christens next generation of aircraft carrier". Yahoo! News. https://news.yahoo.com/navy-christens-next-generation-aircraft-carrier-173824577.html. 
    65. ↑ "In testing phase, new carrier plagued by problems". 10 January 2014. http://www.stripes.com/news/in-testing-phase-new-carrier-plagued-by-problems-1.261377. 
    66. ↑ "EMALS/ AAG: Electro-Magnetic Launch & Recovery for Carriers". 28 July 2017. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/emals-electro-magnetic-launch-for-carriers-05220/. 
    67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 Woody, Christopher (31 July 2017). "Watch the Navy's newest, most sophisticated aircraft carrier land and launch her first aircraft" (Military and Defense). Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/navys-gerald-r-ford-aircraft-carrier-land-launch-its-first-aircraft-2017-7. 
    68. ↑ Cavas, Christopher (18 September 2016). "Carrier Ford Has Serious Power Problem". http://www.defensenews.com/articles/carrier-ford-has-serious-power-problem. 
    69. ↑ Fabey, Michael (27 June 2017). "The US Navy's most expensive ship ever built still has a tough path to getting deployment-ready". Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/the-tough-road-towards-deployment-for-navys-most-expensive-ship-2017-6. 
    70. ↑ "Navy Alerted to Ford-class Carrier Reliability Issues". 31 January 2014. http://www.dodbuzz.com/2014/01/31/navy-alerted-to-ford-class-carrier-reliability-issues/. .
    71. ↑ "Future USS Gerald R. Ford Underway on Sea Trials". Huntington Ingalls Industries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91zJbI53Xss. 
    72. ↑ Vergakis, Brock (14 April 2017). "Aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford completes builder's sea trials". The Virginian-Pilot. http://pilotonline.com/news/military/local/aircraft-carrier-gerald-r-ford-completes-builder-s-sea-trials/article_b131c127-7da8-5a55-b3df-c4f87aee45a8.html. 
    73. ↑ Lessig, Hugh. "Aircraft Carrier Ford Heads Out for Sea Trials". http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/05/25/aircraft-carrier-ford-heads-sea-trials.html. 
    74. ↑ Gady, Franz=Stefan (9 February 2018). "US Navy Wants to Delay Shock Trials of $13 Billion Supercarrier". The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2018/02/us-navy-wants-to-delay-shock-trials-of-13-billion-supercarrier. 
    75. ↑ "USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Completes First Full Ship Shock Trial Event" (in en-US). United States Navy. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2663444/uss-gerald-r-ford-cvn-78-completes-first-full-ship-shock-trial-event/. 
    76. ↑ Marr, Madeleine. "Boom! What was that giant explosion off the Florida coast? Here's what we know". https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article252257483.html. 
    77. ↑ "US Navy tests warship's metal with megablast" (in en). 2021-06-21. https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/06/21/21/us-navy-tests-warships-metal-with-megablast. 
    78. ↑ Malewar, Amit (12 August 2021). "US Navy's new Gerald R. Ford successfully completed Full Ship Shock Trials". https://www.inceptivemind.com/us-navy-uss-gerald-r-ford-completed-full-ship-shock-trials/20537/. 
    79. ↑ Domeck, Ann (29 July 2017). "Local man pilots first plane to land on U.S.S. Gerald Ford". Fox 8 Cleveland. http://fox8.com/2017/07/29/local-man-pilots-first-plane-to-land-on-u-s-s-gerald-ford/. 
    80. ↑ LaGrone, Sam (28 July 2017). "VIDEO: USS Gerald R. Ford Conducts First Arrested Landing, Catapult Launch". U.S. Naval Institute. https://news.usni.org/2017/07/28/video-uss-gerald-r-ford-conducts-first-arrested-landing-catapult-launch. 
    81. ↑ McCurdy, Christen (4 June 2020). "USS Ford still has major technical problems, says GAO report". United Press International. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/06/04/USS-Ford-still-has-major-technical-problems-says-GAO-report/5201591306147/. 
    82. ↑ Keller, Jared (11 January 2021). "The Navy's $13 billion supercarrier still can't do the one thing it's absolutely required to do". https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/navy-gerald-r-ford-aircraft-carrier-emals-problems/. 
    83. ↑ Gallindoss, Alan (10 January 2021). "U.S. Navy Most Expensive Aircraft Carrier Ever USS Gerald R. Ford Still Having Problems". https://jewishbusinessnews.com/2021/01/10/u-s-navy-most-expensive-aircraft-carrier-ever-uss-gerald-r-ford-still-having-problems/. 
    84. ↑ "USS Gerald R. Ford Completes another Independent Steaming Event - Shock Trials are Next" (in en-US). 2021-03-22. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/03/uss-gerald-r-ford-completes-another-independent-steaming-event-shock-trials-are-next/. 
    85. ↑ "PEO Carriers: USS Gerald R. Ford 'Fully Delivered' Ready to Deploy". 26 September 2022. https://news.usni.org/2022/09/26/peo-carriers-uss-gerald-r-ford-fully-delivered-ready-to-deploy. 
    86. ↑ "Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Departs for First Deployment". United States Navy. 5 October 2022. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3179931/gerald-r-ford-carrier-strike-group-departs-for-first-deployment/. 
    87. ↑ "Photo Gallery". United States Navy. 5 October 2022. https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Photo-Gallery/igphoto/2003092456/. 
    88. ↑ "USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Halifax for First International Port Visit". United States Navy. 28 October 2022. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3203028/uss-gerald-r-ford-arrives-in-halifax-for-first-international-port-visit/. 
    89. ↑ "First deployment for American aircraft carrier includes visit to Halifax this weekend". 26 October 2022. https://globalnews.ca/news/9228061/american-aircraft-carrier-halifax-port/. 
    90. ↑ "Massive American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Halifax harbour". 2022-10-28. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2022/10/28/massive-american-aircraft-carrier-uss-gerald-r-ford-arrives-in-halifax-harbour.html. 
    91. ↑ Toogood, Darren (12 November 2022). "Nuclear warship USS Gerald R Ford will visit the Solent next week". Island Echo. https://www.islandecho.co.uk/nuclear-warship-uss-gerald-r-ford-will-visit-the-solent-next-week/. 
    92. ↑ Munoz, Adonica (26 November 2022). "Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group returns to homeport concluding inaugural deployment". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/433992/gerald-r-ford-carrier-strike-group-returns-homeport-concluding-inaugural-deployment. 
    93. ↑ Stancy, Diana (2 May 2023). "USS Gerald R Ford leaves Norfolk for first full-length deployment". Navy Times. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2023/05/02/uss-gerald-r-ford-leaves-norfolk-for-first-full-length-deployment/. 
    94. ↑ Fouche, Gwladys; Klesty, Victoria (24 May 2023). "Massive US aircraft carrier sails into Oslo for NATO exercises". Yahoo! News. https://ca.news.yahoo.com/worlds-biggest-aircraft-carrier-sails-085106954.html. 
    95. ↑ Iversen, Nicklas (2023-05-25). "World's Biggest Aircraft Carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford" Docks In Oslo, Norway" (in en-US). https://thenorwayguide.com/worlds-biggest-aircraft-carrier-uss-gerald-r-ford-docks-in-oslo-norway/. 
    96. ↑ "Crown Prince on board the USS Gerald R. Ford". The Royal House of Norway. https://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=219293&sek=27262. 
    97. ↑ "World's biggest warship visits Oslo, angering Russia". France24. 24 May 2023. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230524-world-s-biggest-warship-visits-oslo-angering-russia. 
    98. ↑ "Najveći ratni brod usidrio se pred Splitom, pogledajte kako izgleda američka grdosija" (in serbian). Slobodna Dalmacija. 26 June 2023. https://slobodnadalmacija.hr/split/najveci-ratni-brod-usidrio-se-pred-splitom-pogledajte-kako-izgleda-americka-grdosija-1301330. 
    99. ↑ Glunt, Brian T. (5 October 2023). "GRFCSG Strengthens Interoperability with Italy" (in en-US). United States Navy. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3549717/grfcsg-strengthens-interoperability-with-italy/. 
    100. ↑ "Statement From Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on U.S. Force Posture Changes in the Middle East" (in en-US). U.S. Department of Defense. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3551716/statement-from-secretary-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-us-force-posture-changes-in-the/. 
    101. ↑ 101.0 101.1 Pandy, Jordan (2024-01-01). "US Navy says the Ford carrier strike group is finally heading home after its first full deployment was upended by war". Business Insider. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/us-navy-says-the-ford-carrier-strike-group-is-finally-heading-home-after-its-first-full-deployment-was-upended-by-war/ar-AA1mkep5. "The sudden outbreak of violence in the Middle East, [...] led to repeated extensions of the Ford CSG's deployment. The strike group has been at sea for over 240 days, per USNI News. [...] will return to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia." 
    102. ↑ 102.0 102.1 Copp, Tara (2024-01-01). "The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is returning home after extended deployment defending Israel". AP News. https://apnews.com/article/uss-gerald-r-ford-aircraft-carrier-israel-20fb033f78bfd37fb4b0cf1df468a731. "The Ford and its accompanying warships will be replaced by the amphibious assault ship the USS Bataan and its accompanying warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall." 
    103. ↑ Sicard, Sarah (19 January 2024). "Aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford returns home after 8-month deployment". Navy Times. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2024/01/18/aircraft-carrier-gerald-r-ford-returns-home-after-8-month-deployment/. 
    104. ↑ "USS Gerald R. Ford Arrives in Oslo, Norway". United States Navy. 12 September 2025. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4305116/uss-gerald-r-ford-arrives-in-oslo-norway/. 
    105. ↑ "USS Gerald R. Ford Arrives in Oslo, Norway". United States Navy. 12 September 2025. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4305116/uss-gerald-r-ford-arrives-in-oslo-norway/. 
    106. ↑ "USS Gerald R. Ford Arrives in Oslo, Norway". United States Navy. 12 September 2025. https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4305116/uss-gerald-r-ford-arrives-in-oslo-norway/. 
    • This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.

    External links[]

    OSD Operational Testing and Evaluation Annual Reports re: CVN78

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