Q: What are the new capabilities of this new FORD carrier class and what the new FORD class will bring to US naval aviation power?

Capt Rick BURGESS :  As the Navy’s next generation aircraft carrier, Gerald R. Ford is defining the future of naval aviation during the present era of strategic competition where we can no longer assume that geography provides the protection and stand-off range it once did.  Ford-class aircraft carriers upgrade Nimitz-class legacy systems to take advantage of automation and improvements to system design to reduce maintenance and improve warfighting effectiveness. Because of the technologies on Gerald R. Ford, the crew can load and launch aircraft faster than ever before. With its electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and advanced arresting gear (AAG), Gerald R. Ford is designed to offer an increased sortie generation rate over the Nimitz-class. Gerald R. Ford’s in-deck refueling and island placement also opens up more “real estate” on the flight deck to move, stage and refuel aircraft. These technologies foster the interoperability and high-end skill sets required by today’s strategic realities.