The U.S. Navy’s new $13 billion aircraft carrier will dominate the seas

A $13 billion U.S. aircraft carrier is about to hit the open seas.

It’s the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the most expensive and most advanced warship ever built. The ship was christened in November 2013 and is scheduled to be commissioned this month.

The Naval behemoth can house more than 4,500 people and weighs 90,000 tons. The CVN-78 is the lead ship in the Ford class of aircraft carriers, replacing some of the U.S. Navy’s existing Nimitz-class carriers. At first glance, both classes have a similar-looking hull, but the Ford class introduces a series of technical innovations designed to improve carrier’s operating efficiency, and reduce operating costs and crew requirements.

Under the hood

Testing the electromagnetic catapult for jet fighters.

As you can see, the USS Gerald R. Ford packs a serious punch — it’s a massive investment in strategic dominance and innovation that, in spite of rising concerns, should provide the U.S. with the upper hand in 21st-century naval warfare.

What do you think about the CVN-78 — its costs, capabilities? Please let me know in the comment section below.