XPost: sci.military.naval, soc.history.war.misc, seattle.politics

from https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/us-navy-aircraft-carrier-drama-3rd-ford-class-carrier-delayed-until-2029-210226

March 25, 2024 Topic: Security Region: Americas Blog Brand: The Buzz
Tags: U.S. NavyNavyMilitaryFord-ClassAircraft CarrierAircraft Carriers
U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Drama: 3rd Ford-Class Carrier Delayed Until 2029
The U.S. Navy faces a significant delay in the delivery of its third
Ford-class supercarrier, the USS Enterprise (CVN-80), now expected in
September 2029, due to supply chain issues and material shortages.

by Stavros Atlamazoglou
Summary: The U.S. Navy faces a significant delay in the delivery of its
third Ford-class supercarrier, the USS Enterprise (CVN-80), now expected
in September 2029, due to supply chain issues and material shortages.
This delay is concerning for U.S. naval operations, particularly given
the strategic importance of aircraft carriers in maintaining American
military superiority, especially in potential conflicts in the
Indo-Pacific region with China. The Ford-class carriers, known for their advanced technologies including the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch
System (EMALS), are pivotal to the U.S. Navy's future capabilities.


The U.S. Navy will not get its third Ford-class supercarrier before
2029, according to defense officials.

As the most important component of the fleet, aircraft carriers are key
to American warfighting capabilities, especially in a potential war with
China in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As such, timely delivery
of the new Ford-class carriers is of high national security importance.

Delays, Delays, Delays for Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier
The USS Enterprise (CVN-80) is under construction at the Huntington
Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding shipyards in Virginia. The
Navy expected to receive the Enterprise in the spring of 2028, but
supply chain issues and shortages in necessary materials have caused an 18-month delay, pushing the delivery date to September 2029.

“Any deviation that lengthens intervals between platforms compared to previously approved shipbuilding plans and forecasts is concerning
because of the potential disruption to our supplier base, which
continues its recovery amid significant levels of demand for its
materials and products,” Todd Corillo, a spokesperson for HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding, said in a statement about the construction delays.

The second carrier of the Ford class, the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79),
and the fourth, the USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), are also under construction.

The Ford-class supercarriers come with a whole new set of capabilities, distinguishing them as the most advanced and capable aircraft carriers
in history.

Specifically, the Ford class introduces 23 new technologies, including
the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System – EMALS will launch aircraft
30% faster than Nimitz-class carriers, which use steam catapults. In
addition, Ford-class carriers have improved elevators that can move
ordnance faster, and better arresting gear for safer landings.

The USS Enterprise will carry almost 100 combat aircraft. These will
include F-35B/C Lightning II stealth jets, F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter
jets, and E/G-18 Growler electronic warfare jets.

Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier

These capabilities do not come cheap. Indeed, the USS Gerald R. Ford,
the first ship of the class, cost an astounding $13 billion. To be sure,
the cost of the first weapons system is always high, and it usually
drops with subsequent purchases. Indeed, the Navy expects costs to drop
for the Ford class, starting with the USS Enterprise and continuing with
the subsequent supercarriers. (The Navy is looking to buy a total of 10 warships in this class.) Still, Ford-class warships are between $6
billion and $10 billion more expensive than any other carrier, including
the Nimitz-class vessels they will replace.

The Ford-class supercarriers have been long in the making, with almost
two decades elapsing between the commencement of the procurement process
and the Gerald R. Ford entering the fleet. A future war with China in
the Indo-Pacific is becoming alarmingly more likely, so a lot will
depend on these aircraft carriers and their capabilities.


About the Author
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense and national security
journalist specializing in special operations. A Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), he holds
a BA from the Johns Hopkins University, an MA from the Johns Hopkins’
School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is pursuing a J.D.
at Boston College Law School. His work has been featured in Business
Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.


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