Summary and Key Points: The U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, crucial for global naval dominance, are facing severe delivery delays, now pushed to 2029.
-Issues include supply chain disruptions, elevator malfunctions, and technical setbacks affecting carriers like the USS John F. Kennedy and USS Enterprise.
-The COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, and a fragile American shipbuilding sector exacerbate delays.
-With geopolitical tensions rising—especially with China’s expanding naval capabilities—these delays undermine America’s strategic posture, potentially emboldening adversaries and concerning allies.
-Revitalizing domestic shipbuilding is now a top priority, underscoring the urgency of resolving these problems swiftly to maintain U.S. maritime supremacy.
More Problems for Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers
On Tuesday, April 8th, two officials from the United States Navy testified before Congress and reported that the Navy’s second and third Ford-class aircraft carriers (The USS John F. Kennedy and the USS Enterprise), will not be delivered until 2029.
The problem is reportedly due to supply chain issues, as well as “critical challenges” with elevators used to move munitions from below deck and aircraft launch and recovery systems. “We are taking action right now to accelerate and recover as much schedule as we possibly can,” Rear Adm. Todd Weeks said. The delay of the John F. Kennedy speaks to a larger issue that is impacting the entire Navy.
Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier: The Constant Problems?
The Gerald R. Ford-class is one of the largest and most technologically advanced carriers in the world.
They are expected to incorporate a wide range of advanced technologies like the new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). This system is designed to launch aircraft 30% quicker than previous systems. Additionally, the Ford-class is designed to carry around 100 aircraft, including F-35B/Cs, F/A-18 Super Hornets, and E/A-18 Growler electronic warfare jets.
All of these systems come at a very high cost. The first carrier of the class, the USS Gerald R. Ford, cost a whopping $13 billion. While the Navy is expecting the price to decrease with subsequent carriers, it is highly likely that costs could start ballooning again on the other carriers.
Still, Ford-class warships are estimated to cost between $6 billion and $10 billion more than any other carrier, including the Nimitz-class vessels they will replace. This is further exacerbated by the fact that the Navy intends to buy a total of 10 Ford-class warships.
No Stranger to Delays
This is not the first problem that the Ford-class carriers have caused for the Navy. The USS Enterprise has faced multiple delays already. Originally planned to be delivered in 2028, the carrier was delayed until 2029. The second carrier of the Ford class, the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is now facing delays as well. The fourth, the USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), are also currently under construction and could also face delays if supply issues are not addressed.
The Dire State of U.S. Shipbuilding
The delay of the USS Kennedy speaks to a much larger issue that has been plaguing the Navy, that being supply chain issues which are impacting the U.S.’ shipbuilding capabilities. Hon. Nick Guertin, the Navy’s acquisition executive, blamed the delays on “common issues from lingering COVID impacts across the national workforce and supply chain landscape with industry reticent to invest.” Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the international supply chain has been struggling to get back on its feet. These issues have delayed the delivery of necessary components for the USS Eisenhower, thus stalling its completion.
The Kennedy and the Enterprise is not the only ships facing delays. The lead ship in the Columbia class of nuclear submarines, the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), is also facing delivery delays of up to 18 months. In addition to supply chain issues, American shipbuilders are having labor shortages. Keeping skilled workers with competitive pay, good benefits, and a high quality of life is critical, industry has noted. The shipbuilding industry is having trouble retaining workers for long periods of time, and hiring and training new employees takes time and resources.
The Trump administration has stated that revitalizing the American shipbuilding industry is one of its top priorities. Trump has also said that he plans to appoint an office in the White House dedicated to the issue. Although there are no details on how the administration intends to revitalize the industry, the acknowledgment of the issue in the first place is a nice first step.
America Needs its Ford-Class Carriers Now
The delay in the USS John F. Kennedy has geopolitical ramifications. Adversaries may perceive the delay as a reduction in U.S. naval capability, potentially emboldening them to take aggressive actions.
Allies might also be concerned about the U.S. Navy’s ability to fulfill its commitments, leading to shifts in regional security dynamics. This delay comes at an especially bad time, as China has been rapidly improving its shipbuilding industry and growing its navy further.
Aircraft carriers are central to the Navy’s ability to respond to crises and conflicts. With the retirement of many of its older carriers, the Navy is losing carriers faster than it can put them into service. The delay could reduce the Navy’s tactical flexibility, as it will have fewer carriers available to rotate through deployments. This could strain the existing fleet, leading to longer deployments for other carriers and potentially impacting crew morale and readiness.
The delay of the USS John F. Kennedy is more significant than many realize and has far-reaching implications across the board. On a smaller scale, the delay is just one more issue that has been plaguing the Ford-class carriers, along with cost issues.
Economically, the delay speaks to the low state that American shipbuilding has reached due to the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, and supply chain issues. Strategically, the Navy needs all the carriers it can get. With trouble in the Middle East and China becoming bolder, America cannot afford more delays.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
