{
  "id": "ford-class",
  "name": "Gerald R. Ford class (CVN 78)",
  "aliases": [
    "CVN 78"
  ],
  "domain": "naval",
  "country": "USA",
  "category": "Nuclear aircraft carrier",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 2017,
  "operators": [
    "USA"
  ],
  "summary": "Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier class succeeding the Nimitz class; CVN 78 in service, CVN 79–81 under construction.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "displacement_t",
      "v": 100000,
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "unit": "LT",
      "note": "Approximate, full load"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 332.8,
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "1,092 ft"
    },
    {
      "k": "beam_m",
      "v": 40.8,
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "134 ft; flight deck 256 ft"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_kt",
      "v": 30,
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "30+ knots"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4539,
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "Ship, air wing and staff"
    },
    {
      "k": "aircraft_count",
      "v": 75,
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "note": "75+"
    },
    {
      "k": "propulsion",
      "v": "Two nuclear reactors, four shafts",
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high"
    },
    {
      "k": "armament",
      "v": "ESSM, Rolling Airframe Missile, CIWS",
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high"
    }
  ],
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-03",
      "change": "Initial draft entry from cited open sources"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-03",
      "change": "Added payload options and capabilities"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Added photo (Public domain)"
    }
  ],
  "art": "carrier",
  "image": {
    "file": "ford-class.jpg",
    "thumb": "ford-class-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "U.S. Navy CVN78 by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tajh Payne",
    "license": "Public domain",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gerald_R_Ford_Carrier_Strike_Group_Operations_(9405687).jpg",
    "title": "File:Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group Operations (9405687).jpg"
  },
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Carrier air wing",
      "role": "Strike, air defense, ISR",
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "qty": "75+ aircraft",
      "caps": {}
    },
    {
      "name": "ESSM",
      "role": "Ship self-defense",
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn",
        "navy-essm"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "caps": {
        "Warhead": "90-lb annular blast fragmentation"
      },
      "note": "Range classified"
    },
    {
      "name": "Rolling Airframe Missile",
      "role": "Point defense",
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "caps": {}
    },
    {
      "name": "CIWS",
      "role": "Close-in weapon system",
      "src": [
        "navy-cvn"
      ],
      "conf": "high",
      "caps": {}
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/ford-class.html",
  "sources": {
    "navy-cvn": {
      "title": "Aircraft Carriers (CVN)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Navy Fact Files",
      "url": "https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169795/aircraft-carriers-cvn/",
      "published": "2021-11-12",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-03"
    },
    "navy-essm": {
      "title": "Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 1 (RIM-162D)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Navy Fact Files",
      "url": "https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2168978/evolved-seasparrow-missile-block-1-essm-rim-162d/",
      "published": "2022-10-21",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-03"
    }
  }
}