The United States Navy’s newest jewel, the Ford-class aircraft carrier, has become a focal point of debate regarding its $13 billion unit cost and astronomical $120 billion program expense. Touted as the most advanced and expensive warship ever constructed, the behemoth vessel has garnered both awe and scrutiny.

The Ford-class carrier embodies the peak of naval innovation, equipped with a range of advanced features that include an impressive Sortie Generation Rate (SGR) that is 33% higher than its predecessor, the Nimitz-class.

This means that the Ford-class can launch aircraft more efficiently, marking a significant stride in airpower projection. The vessel’s state-of-the-art Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is a testament to this leap in technology, enabling it to potentially produce 160 sorties per day and up to 270 in wartime conditions.

Despite its prowess, critics question whether the investment is justified when the US already possesses more aircraft carriers than any other nation.

Barry Posen’s strategic analysis in “Restraint” suggests that seven carriers would suffice for the US to maintain its grand strategy and manage two simultaneous conflicts. By this metric, the current fleet exceeds the necessary count by four, leaving room for debate on the necessity of the Ford-class.

The recent deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas provided an opportunity to justify the hefty price tag.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro expressed the nation’s pride in the carrier’s performance, “This carrier strike group also provided the deterrent factor to try to keep the war from escalating as well, too.

So that was their fundamental mission.” Over 8,000 sorties were launched during its mission, showcasing the carrier’s operational capabilities.

Yet, the Ford’s journey has not been without turbulence. Technical delays and cost overruns plagued the vessel’s readiness, and it took six years for the Ford to complete its first full deployment after joining the fleet in 2017.

Former naval officer Bryan Clark of the Hudson Institute remains skeptical of the expense: “No, it doesn’t justify the expense.” He points to the Nimitz-class carriers as a more cost-effective alternative and reflects on the Ford’s price: “Right, so you would have been maybe a little bit more than half the price of a Ford class. So in retrospect, that extra investment was probably not worth it.”

Despite these concerns, the Ford-class boasts several long-term strategic advantages, such as reduced crew requirements due to automation—a significant point given the Navy’s recent shortfall in recruitment targets.

Captain Rick Burgess of the USS Gerald R. Ford attests to the carrier’s performance, “I really grew to love this ship, and I honestly believe that it is everything that the American taxpayers hoped it would be and more.”

The carrier now faces further evaluation to determine if it can fulfill its promise to launch more planes more quickly than its predecessors. The impending tests will prove crucial in assessing whether the Ford-class can transition from its test phase to become a reliable linchpin of American naval might.

In the balance of power projection and budgetary prudence, the Ford-class carriers symbolize a pivotal moment for the US Navy and its fleet modernization efforts. The discourse surrounding these leviathans of the sea is not just about military might but also about the judicious use of resources in an era of strategic competition.

As the Ford-class carves its place in naval history, its legacy will ultimately be determined by its ability to fulfill the ambitious expectations set forth by the American taxpayers and its warfighters.

Relevant articles:
– Is the Navy’s Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Worth Its $120 Billion Price Tag?, The National Interest
– Middle East mission was a chance to justify aircraft carrier’s price tag, NPR