How the USS Gerald R Ford's new tech is proving the critics wrong
The USS Gerald R Ford anchored in the Solent off Portsmouth on 17 November. (Photo: author)
USS Gerald R Ford is the largest, most expensive and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built and has successfully deployed a raft of new technologies on its first operational deployment.
Despite past criticism from the Pentagon's top weapons tester, the new technologies integrated into the USN's latest aircraft carrier have shown value during its first operational deployment.
USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) integrates 23 new technologies, highlights of which include the ship's Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWEs).
In January, the latest annual report from the DoD's weapons testing authority said the EMALS, arrestor gear, weapons elevators and dual-band radar were not hitting reliability targets.
The Director Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) report highlighted the 'low reliability' of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials]()
US continues to review AUKUS submarine deal as HII ticks off new Virginia-class sea trials
The initial sea trials for Virginia-class SSN 798 conducted by Newport News Shipbuilding division and the US Navy marked an “important step”, but the ongoing AUKUS review casts a shadow over what the progress means for the partner nations.
-
![US Navy seeks AI software suppliers to bolster air and missile defence]()
US Navy seeks AI software suppliers to bolster air and missile defence
The US Navy is conducting market research to find AI software products for the Collaborative Integrated Air and Missile Defence Planning Programme.
-
![Turkey’s Goksur naval missile completes first live-fire intercept]()
Turkey’s Goksur naval missile completes first live-fire intercept
The Goksur will be available in a range of configurations and could be integrated into Turkey’s nascent Steel Dome which is designed to provide multi-layered protection against a range of aerial targets from mortars to aircraft.
-
![US Coast Guard advances plans to acquire small response boats]()
US Coast Guard advances plans to acquire small response boats
The maritime security service is looking to purchase up to four demonstrators as it seeks to ensure the force’s goals are achievable before continuing its acquisition programme.
-
![US Navy confirms Q2 FY2026 contract award for Tomahawk Block V modernisation]()
US Navy confirms Q2 FY2026 contract award for Tomahawk Block V modernisation
The agreement with Raytheon will comprise the acquisition and delivery of maritime seeker suite technologies and processing capabilities for 35 to 96 missiles.
