THE 21ST CENTURY CARRIER
GER ALD R. FORD(CVN 78)
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10,000,000 FEET
of installed electrical cable
4,000,000 FEET
of installed fiber optic cable
162
1,026
superlifts
tons
performed by1,050-tongantry craneover 3.5 years
HEAVIEST LIFT
www.thefordclass.com
Building an aircraft carrier is a giant task, REQUIRING THOUSANDS OF SKILLED SHIPBUILDERS, GENERATIONS OF EXPERIENCE,AND ENOUGH MATERIAL TO BUILD A SMALL CITY. BUILD A SMALL CITY. Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is not just large; she is the most technologically- advanced warship ever built. SHE IS MORE AUTOMATED, IS EASIER TO MAINTAIN, AND IS ABLE TO LAUNCH MISSIONS FASTER THAN ANY PREVIOUS CARRIER.
CVN 78 IS THE FUTURE OF NAVAL AVIATION, AND THAT FUTURE IS HERE.
increase inelectricalcapacity
A new electrical distribution system with a
250%
Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) replaces steam catapults,
enabling a smoother launch for the airwing of the future.
ELECTROMAGNETIC
NEW REACTOR PLANTSincrease electrical power generation.
REDUCED MANNINGDue to reduced maintenance,the ship and its air wing can operatewith fewer positionsand will save the U.S. Navy
MORE THAN$4 billion over the ship’s 50-year life.
CVN 78 is designed to be ready for the future of naval aviationas the Navy develops the next
generation of manned andunmanned
aircraft.
The lightersoftware-controlledadvanced arresting gearsystem increases the ability to recover smaller aircraft with reduced wear.
ELECTRICWater Heatersreplace steam system.
ExtendedINTERVAL:DRYDOCKING
12 YEARSCVN 78 can go
between dry dock maintenance.
CARGO ELEVATORSnew system reduces manpowerneeded to transport cargo.
INCREASED AC:
INCREASING SPACE FOR FLIGHT DECK OPERATIONS and aircraft maintenance.
and farther aft than on Nimitz-class carriers,
MORE FLIGHT DECK: THE ISLAND
IS SMALLER
EXPANDABLECAPACITY
Ready for future warfare systems,such as high-energy laser
The flow of weapons has been
significantly UPGRADEDto support increasedSORTIE RATE.
WEAPONSFL WFL W
REDUCED BY OVER 1/3FEWER COMPONENTS: number of valves
WEAPONS ELEVATORSnew electromagnetic hoist system replaces cable.
Flexible Infrastructure
IS DESIGNEDCVN78
to quickly adapt interior spaces for
new missions.INCREASEDSORTIE RATE
CVN 78 IS ABLE TO GENERATE
per day thanNimitz-Class
carriers.
25%MORE FLIGHT
MISSIONS (SORTIES)