USS Gerald R. Ford: The Navy’s Most Powerful Aircraft Carrier Is Nearly Ready For War

[PeteS in CA]

USS Gerald R. Ford: The Navy’s Most Powerful Aircraft Carrier Is Nearly Ready For War

https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/04/uss-gerald-r-ford-the-navys-most-powerful-aircraft-carrier-is-nearly-ready-for-war/

Getting a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ready for her maiden deployment is no small task. The good news is that this month the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) successfully conducted the Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT), which is a Naval Sea Systems Command requirement that is meant to verify that the ship personnel can operate and maintain their combat systems in a safe and effective manner.

During the recent CSSQT, the crew of the United States Navy’s newest nuclear-powered aircraft and the lead ship of her class used all the onboard weapons systems of the ship during a live firing of the Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapons System), RIM-162 ESSM launchers, rolling airframe missile (RAM) launcher and an evolved sea sparrow missile (ESSM) Navy Recognition reported.

Since being formally commissioned by then-President Donald J. Trump on July 22, 2017, USS Gerald R. Ford has conducted an ongoing series of trials – all of which are required before the warship can begin its first deployment.

The aircraft carrier is scheduled for full-ship shock trials by early summer this year, which will be followed by a maintenance period to address any issues that have been discovered.