Ford-class Archives

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Oct. 25, 2019) USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) gets underway for the first time since beginning its post-shakedown availability July 2018. Ford is currently conducting sea trials, a comprehensive test of the ship's systems and technologies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Connor Loessin)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy’s New Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Looks Powerful – But It Has Major Problems

Summary and Key Points: Harrison Kass, a national security analyst and former US Air Force pilot selectee, evaluates the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)...

Harrison KassFebruary 27, 2026

Iowa-Class Battleship USS New Jersey. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

14 Months At War: Iowa-Class Battleship USS New Jersey Deployed Far Longer Than USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier

Summary and Key Points: This analysis by Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, a former U.S. Army Infantry officer, contrasts the current deployment of the USS...

Brent M. EastwoodFebruary 26, 2026

USS Gerald R. Ford on Combat Drills U.S. Navy

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Psychology Suggests Aircraft Carrier Crew of USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier Might Suffer Mental Health Issues from Record Deployment

The USS Gerald R. Ford has been at sea for 230+ days. Now, it's heading straight from Venezuela to the Middle East to face...

Kris OsbornFebruary 25, 2026

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 29, 2019) USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) conducts high-speed turns in the Atlantic Ocean. Ford is at sea conducting sea trials following the in port portion of its 15 month post-shakedown availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Connor Loessin)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The Crew Must Be Drained: Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Is Being Asked to Fight Iran and Their Own Mental Exhaustion

The USS Gerald R. Ford’s Biggest Problem Near Iran Isn’t Airpower – It Might Be A Crew That Is Working At Its Limits Synopsis...

Isaac SeitzFebruary 23, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Running on Empty: The U.S. Navy’s Largest Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Ever Is Being Asked to Do What Looks Like Mission Impossible

Summary and Key Points: The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is currently navigating a record-breaking, multi-theater deployment that underscores both its unmatched power and...

Brandon WeichertFebruary 21, 2026

A U.S. Sailor moves behind a flight deck foul line before the launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached Strike Fighter Squadron 31, from the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Feb. 5, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Supercarrier Surprises: Multiple Nuclear U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Will Soon Be in Iran’s Backyard

Synopsis: The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is deploying to the Arabian Sea to join the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), marking a significant escalation...

Kris OsbornFebruary 18, 2026

A view of the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) from aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as Normandy participates in a Tactical Force Exercise as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, Oct. 13, 2022. Ford is on its inaugural deployment conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Supercarrier Surge: The U.S. Navy Will Soon Double Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Total

Summary and Key Points: The Ford-class is moving from concept to reality, and USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is the proof point. -After completing...

Kris OsbornFebruary 18, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy’s Biggest Aircraft Carrier Ever Is Now Surging Towards Iran’s Backyard

Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Heads To The Middle East: Trump’s “Big Stick” Message To Iran Summary and Key Points: The Trump...

Brent M. EastwoodFebruary 14, 2026

(Jan. 31, 2019) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) transits the Atlantic Ocean. Eisenhower is conducting operations in the Atlantic Ocean as part of Carrier Strike Group 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kody A. Phillips/Released)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy Seems Ready To Leave the Supercarrier Era

Supercarrier Era Over for the U.S. Navy? Summary and Key Points -Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle unveiled his “U.S. Navy Fighting Instructions”...

Steve BalestrieriFebruary 12, 2026

U.S. Navy Carrier Air Wing 8 aircraft fly in formation over the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), during Carrier Air Wing 8’s aerial change of command ceremony while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Jan. 19, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The Navy’s $13 Billion “Failure”? Why the Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Is Too Big to Fail

Summary and Key Points: The $13 billion Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier represents the ultimate high-stakes gamble for U.S. naval dominance. -Despite soaring costs...

Harrison KassFebruary 10, 2026

19FortyFive

All posts tagged "Ford-class"

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy’s New Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Looks Powerful – But It Has Major Problems

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

14 Months At War: Iowa-Class Battleship USS New Jersey Deployed Far Longer Than USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Psychology Suggests Aircraft Carrier Crew of USS Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier Might Suffer Mental Health Issues from Record Deployment

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The Crew Must Be Drained: Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Is Being Asked to Fight Iran and Their Own Mental Exhaustion

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Running on Empty: The U.S. Navy’s Largest Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Ever Is Being Asked to Do What Looks Like Mission Impossible

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Supercarrier Surprises: Multiple Nuclear U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Will Soon Be in Iran’s Backyard

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Supercarrier Surge: The U.S. Navy Will Soon Double Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Total

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy’s Biggest Aircraft Carrier Ever Is Now Surging Towards Iran’s Backyard

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The U.S. Navy Seems Ready To Leave the Supercarrier Era

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The Navy’s $13 Billion “Failure”? Why the Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Is Too Big to Fail

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