With a Capacity for 75 Aircraft, the $33 Trillion Gerald R. Ford Becomes the World’s Largest Aircraft Carrier
The USS Gerald R. Ford: The World’s Largest Aircraft Carrier
The USS Gerald R. Ford, a colossal aircraft carrier with the capacity to carry more than 75 aircraft, proudly holds the title of the largest aircraft carrier globally. With a staggering price tag of $13 billion and a length of 337 meters, this flagship of the United States Navy became operational in 2017.
Aircraft carriers are truly remarkable warships, serving as seagoing airbases and representing not only military prowess but also a symbol of prestige and power for the navies worldwide. These behemoths of the sea are equipped with a full-length flight deck that can handle the launching, arming, deployment, and recovery of various types of aircraft.
As the capital ship of a naval fleet, supercarriers like the USS Gerald R. Ford have the capacity to carry numerous aircraft, including fighter jets, strike aircraft, helicopters, and other aircraft types. In 2021, there were approximately 46 aircraft and helicopter carriers in service, operated by thirteen different navies across the globe, and the USS Gerald R. Ford Class battleships stand out as the largest among them.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the first of its class, was named in honor of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford. It was commissioned by President Donald Trump on July 22, 2017. This incredible carrier, with its $13 billion price tag and 337-meter length, can carry over 75 aircraft and house a crew of 4,539 personnel.
Notably, the USS Gerald R. Ford was intended to replace the USS Enterprise (CVN 65), which entered service in 1961 and was decommissioned in 2017. In terms of weaponry, the USS Gerald R. Ford is armed with surface-to-air missiles, including 2 × RIM-162 ESSM launchers and 2 × RIM-116 RAM launchers. It also boasts formidable gun systems, such as 3 × Phalanx CIWS and 4 × M2 .50 Cal. (12.7 mm) machine guns.
The USS Gerald R. Ford and its fellow Ford-class carriers, like the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), are expected to save more than $4 billion in total ownership costs during their 50-year service life. These carriers not only signify the immense technological achievements of naval engineering but also underscore the vital role they play in securing the seas and projecting power on a global scale.
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