| Ford Class | |
 Ford Class | |
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | Union of Everett |
| Operated by: | Union of Everett Navy |
| Builder: | Newport News Shipbuilding Avaris Shipbuilding |
| Ordered: | 5 (planned) |
| Laid down: | 2 |
| Commissioned: | 3 |
| Registry: | CVF |
| Status: | In Service |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | ~102,000 tons |
| Length: | 1,092 ft |
| Beam: | 252 ft |
| Draft: | 41 ft |
| Power: | Naval Mk3 Fusion Generator Engine |
| Propulsion: | x4 Water Jet boosters x4 Generator Propellers |
| Speed: | 47.7 knots (55 mph) |
| Maximum speed: | 59 knots (68 mph) |
| Range: | Unlimited |
| Crew: | 4,660 |
| Armament: | x4 Pods RIM-162 ESSM x5 Phalanx CIWS x2 RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile x2 Mobile SDI x1 Fixed SDI Station |
| Electronic Warfare & Decoys: | AN/SPY-3 AN/SPS-48 AN/SPN-46 radar SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo AN/SPN-41 landing aid radars AN/SPQ-9B target acquisition radar |
| Aircraft carried: | 75-90 Fixed Wing Aircraft/Helicopters |
| Armor: | 4 in. Kevlar over vital spaces |
| Cost: | $9 billion (2012) |
The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers (or Ford-class) are a class of supercarrier for the Union of Everett Navy, intended to eventually replace the current Nimitz-class carriers. The new vessels will use a hull design very similar to the Nimitz carriers in appearance, but many aspects of the design will be very different, implementing new technologies developed since the initial design of the previous class (such as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System), as well as other design features intended to improve efficiency and running costs, including a reduced crew requirement. The first hull of the line was named Independence and its designation, CVF-78. Three of the class have been completed since the class commenced construction processes, CVF-78 (Independence), CVF-79 (Vigilance) and CVF-80 (Integrity). Two additional Ford class carriers have been laid down and are being constructed, due for completion and launching by 2014 and 2016 respectively, designated and named CVF-81 Fidelity and CVF-82 Valor. Five other vessels of the class are listed as planned for future order and construction, two of which having been given names, CVF-83 Intrepid (taking the name of the current decommissioned New York City aircraft carrier museum ship and CVF-84 Enterprise, which will take the name of the Enterprise-class carrier which is slated for retirement in the United States Navy. Three other planned vessels are designated CVF-85, CVF-86 and CVF-87.
Features[]
The Ford-class features multiple new updates in technology and strength compared to the preceeding Nimitz-class. While Nimitz-class carriers were updated with Mk 1 Fusion Generator turbine engines to replace the aging nuclear AW4 nuclear reactor turbine engines, the Ford-class has been built with Mk.3 Fusion turbines which provide a maximum propulsion speed of 68 miles per hour or 59 knots. Special versions of the Ford-class, such as the EVS Vigilance are designed for humanitarian aid missions with the capability of providing enough electricity power to provide power sources in disaster areas up to 300MW and can produce 110,000 gallons of fresh water per day. The aircraft launching systems aboard the Ford-class utilizes electro-magnetic launchers based on rail-gun technology. This enhances the boost and speed for aircraft to take off and advanced arresting gear to bring landing aircraft to a halt more effectively. The class uses new and advanced radar and sonar systems capable of stronger power and enhanced ability to detect some types of stealth aircraft. The overall shape of the new carrier's hull design allows a stealthier method of transiting water for less radar visibility. The ability of the vessels to use more computer automation allows for a smaller total operating crew.
Aircraft[]
- F-35C Lightning II
- SF-35C Lightning III
- F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
- SF-22C Raptor II
- E2D Advanced Hawkeye
- C-2A Greyhound
- MH-60R/S Seahawk
- CH-53K Super Stallion
- RQ-47B Mothman
Ships[]
- CVF-78 EVS Independence
- CVF-79 EVS Vigilance
- CVF-80 EVS Integrity
- CVF-81 EVS Fidelity (Under construction)(2014)
- CVF-82 EVS Valor (Under construction)(2016)
- CVF-83 EVS Intrepid(Planned)(2017?)
- CVF-84 EVS Enterprise (Planned)(2019?)
- CVF-85 (Planned)(2019?)
- CVF-86 (Planned)(2020?)
- CVF-87 (Planned)(2022?)