U.S. The Navy’s Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers: The 4 Things Best to Sell

Summary: The Ford-class aircraft carriers feature several standout attributes, making them the most advanced in service today.

Some of the standout features are Advanced Weapon Elevator (AWE) for faster weapon movement, improved A1B nuclear reactors providing more power for future technology, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) for smoother and more versatile launches. Quality of life that reduces crew size and improves living conditions.

U.S. The Navy’s Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers: The Best to Sell

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EMALS

CVN-78 was the world’s first aircraft carrier to be equipped with the Electromagnetically Powered Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Compared to the conventional steam-powered catapults of the Nimitz-class carriers, it has several advantages, including smoother acceleration at both high and low speeds and more precise end-speed control.

In addition, the system has the energy capacity to enable larger launch envelopes and the flexibility to launch carrier air wing systems in the future, ranging from heavy attack fighters to the lightest unmanned aerial vehicles.

Improved Nuclear Reactors

Without two modified A1B reactors on carriers, EMALS is unimaginable. Future ship defenses, including Direct-Energy Weapons (DEWs) and other systems, will be supported by existing systems of multifunction radars and electromagnetic catapults along with enhanced production capabilities.

Each A1B has an estimated thermal power output of around 700 MWth, approximately 25% higher than the A4W of the Nimitz-class supercarriers, although the exact performance is secret.

Advanced Arresting Gear

The Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system allows Ford-class ships to recover both existing and future carrier-based, tailhook-equipped aircraft, while EMALS can help get aircraft airborne faster. As a Nimitz-class system that builds on the Mark-7 system, the AAG can facilitate the recovery of a wide variety of aircraft and, with its increased controllability, reduces the fatigue-impact load on the recovered platform. Additionally, integrated test and diagnostic technologies are part of the AAG architecture.

This can help increase sortie rates, but AAGs also require less labor and maintenance than traditional detention systems. This provides less weight of the ship as well as less energy consumption.

Advanced Weapons Elevators

The Ford-class has upgraded rails built to facilitate the transport of modern weapons. Utilizing several cutting-edge technologies including electromagnetic motors and hydraulic systems,  The Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE)  can safely transport munitions from weapon magazines to the flight deck with unmatched speed and agility while using fewer crews.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Author Peter Suciu lives in Michigan. During his twenty-year journalism career, he has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers and websites, publishing more than 3,200 items. Typical topics of his interest include foreign affairs, cyber security, history of weapons, military equipment and politics. Additionally, Peter writes as a contributing writer for Clearance Jobs and Forbes.

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