Key Points and Summary: The U.S. Navy’s Ford-class aircraft carriers are redefining naval aviation with an unmatched air wing.
-Armed with F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, stealthy F-35Cs, EA-18G Growlers for electronic warfare, and E-2D Hawkeyes for command and control, these carriers are built for dominance.
-Anti-submarine helicopters like the SH-60 and MH-60 add versatility, while the MQ-25 Stingray drone extends fighter range with aerial refueling.
-With up to 90 aircraft onboard, the Ford-class ensures rapid power projection and combat superiority.
-As threats evolve, this next-generation carrier remains the centerpiece of U.S. naval strategy, ready to meet any challenge across the globe.
Those 4 Words: An Unmatched Air Wing
US Navy Ford-class Carrier Has an Air Wing That Is Second to None
Aircraft carriers are called floating air bases for a reason. They have a wide range of aircraft, including fighter jets, recon birds, electronic warfare airplanes, command and control craft, and anti-submarine helicopters.
The new Ford-class supercarriers will have those aircraft types and more to overawe the enemy and serve as a symbol of national might and prestige. The Ford-class vessels will become a fixture of naval combat for the next several decades. Let’s take a look at the various aircraft that are deployed on the Ford-class vessels.
Modern Fighters Bring the Noise
A Ford-class carrier can deploy up to 90 aircraft, usually carrying at least 75. This includes the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and F-35C Lightning II naval version fighter planes. These are the main maritime attack and ground strike aircraft on the vessel and the critical fighters used to dominate the enemy.
This is a formidable mix of conventional fighters and stealthy jets.
On Day One of any combat operation, should it enter into a shooting conflict, the stealth F-35Cs can forge ahead to clear out enemy air defenses while working with electronic warfare aircraft and command and control planes. Then, the Super Hornets can fly ground strike and anti-ship operations if needed.
Multiple sorties can ensue day or night and in different weather conditions.
Growler Is a Modern Electronic Warfare Beast
The EA/18G Growler is an interesting airplane that is indispensable in warfare. This is a variant of the Super Hornet. When it comes to jamming and spoofing enemy radar and communications systems, this is the airplane the Navy depends on.
It would have an essential role during any action against the Chinese or Russians, as it would have the ability to blind their radar and jam their comms.
Nothing Happens Without the E-2 Hawkeye
The E-2D Hawkeye is an airborne command and control aircraft. This is the flying air traffic control airplane that must fly ahead of the carrier and make sure the sorties from other craft are successful. The E-2D Hawkeye has two turboprop engines with five crew members to manage the aerial battle space. The Navy describes other operations it can undertake.
“Additional missions include surface surveillance coordination, air interdiction, offensive and defensive counter air control, close air support coordination, time critical strike coordination, search and rescue airborne coordination and communications relay, according to Navy.mil.
Anti-submarine and Anti-surface Helicopters Can Punish the Enemy
The SH-60 Seahawk is a versatile helicopter and a workhorse of the carrier aviation group. This helicopter is for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. These have ultra-modern sensors that can sniff out enemy ships and submarines.
The seahawks carry towed Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD), air-launched sonobuoys, and a forward-looking infrared turret. The other great thing about the Seahawk is the armaments it carries.
It can launch Mk 46, Mk 50, or Mk 54 torpedoes, Hellfire missiles, and Penguin anti-ship missiles. The SH-60 is an indispensable helicopter, creating many advantages and options for Ford-class commanders.
Gerald R. Ford-class. Image: Creative Commons.
The MH-60R/S helicopter is another airborne anti-surface and anti-submarine platform that is one tough and versatile customer. According to Lockheed Martin, “the MH-60R Advanced digital sensors include the multi-mode radar, electronic support measures system, electro-optical/infrared camera, datalinks, aircraft survivability systems, dipping sonar and sonobuoys.”
The MH-60 also has torpedoes, missiles and rockets, plus crew-served guns. The MH-60 is a highly-advanced aircraft that gives commanders the confidence that it can conduct anti-submarine duties of discovery and elimination. The defense contractor claims it enjoys “95 percent flight readiness and availability.”
For drones the Ford-class has an Unmanned Air Warfare Center to operate the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial system. This is an aerial refueling drone that can extend the range of the carrier’s aircraft.
The MQ-25 can also conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, making it one of the most versatile drones in the fleet. This drone is relatively new, having made its first flight in 2019. The aerial refueling piece is important in any conflict with China because carriers may need to remain out of range of enemy anti-ship missiles, and since the Stingray can refuel Super Hornets and F-35Cs, the fighters can take longer flights.
Gerald R. Ford-class. Image: Creative Commons.
With these kinds of modern aircraft, the Ford-class is a worthy asset. When all of these aircraft are in the air, it is a mobile constellation of firepower, anti-submarine, recon, electronic warfare, and command and control excellence.
The Navy must be proud of the Ford-class for an aviation wing that is highly capable and robust.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for US Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former US Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
