The most expensive and most advanced warship ever built will hit the seas in June. With a price tag of $13 billion, the USS Gerald R. Ford can house more than 4500 sailors and weighs 90,000 tons.
In addition to its generous size, the new aircraft carrier introduces several technical innovations that improve operating efficiency and reduce operating costs and crew requirements.
The new launch system replaces the conventional steam catapult and can launch a jet every 45 seconds, 25% faster than the old technology. The new system can also launch drones and other electric vehicles.
AESA, a new search and tracking radar system enables the ship to transmit powerful signals and yet remain stealthy.
Defensively it packs a powerful punch. The Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) counters high-speed, highly maneuverable anti-ship missiles, and the weapon system is the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM). In addition there are Gatling and heavy machine gun mounts as well as 75-plus aircraft, ready to be launched at any given time.