© REUTERS/HENRY NICHOLLS
The new nuclear powered super aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford the US Navy has left its homeport in Virginia and is en route to Europa. After struggling with several technical problems after its delivery 4 years ago, the aircraft carrier has now been sent on its first real mission.
Since entering service in the year 2017 the Ford was subjected to countless tests. Ford already had a first brief operational assignment last year. This deployment in the Atlantic included exercises with European allies and partners. Rather, according to the US Navy, this test was a Stresstest for the ship’s overall capabilities since it had suffered so many setbacks.
Die finale Trainingsmission “Composite Training Unit Exercise” (COMPTUEX) was successfully completed on April 3. The crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford tested all the new technologies and weapon systems to their limits.
Replace Nimitz-class aircraft carrier
The Ford is said to gradually become the aircraft carrier of the Nimitz class substitute. The US Navy installed modern technologies on the Ford that had never been used on an aircraft carrier before. Among other things, it is about aircraft catapultsthe first of electromagnetic devices are operated. So far, catapults have relied on steam-powered systems.
Laut the Navy Times the Ford will initially be used routinely in European waters. However, it is unclear what the deployment in Europe means in concrete terms. “Our presence at sea during the deployment will reassure our allies and partners that sea lanes remain open, and our joint operations will demonstrate our commitment to interoperability and maritime stability,” he said Greg Huffman by the US Navy in a statement.
