Future of Ford-Class Aircraft Carriers Under Scrutiny as Navy Reassesses Costs and Design
The U.S. Navy is reevaluating one of its most advanced and costly projects, the Ford-class aircraft carrier, casting uncertainty over its future. This move comes amid ongoing debates about the carrier’s technology and financial viability.
The review, as stated by Navy Secretary John Phelan, is a strategic approach to scrutinize the expenses and design features of the Ford-class carriers. Phelan emphasized the importance of ensuring these carriers meet the necessary standards and requirements. The outcome of this evaluation is anticipated next month.
President Donald Trump has previously voiced criticism regarding certain technologies on these carriers, notably the magnetic catapults, which he claimed were ineffective during his remarks last year in the Oval Office.
When queried about the possibility of halting future production of the Ford-class carriers, Phelan remarked, “it’s too early to say, but we will have carriers.” The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has been on an unprecedented deployment exceeding 300 days since June 2025, participating in significant military operations such as the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and the conflict with Iran.
Despite the Ford-class carriers not being explicitly mentioned in recent Navy budget documents, a Navy statement commended the class as a “battle-proven design,” highlighting its enhanced aircraft launch rate and global strike capabilities compared to the older Nimitz-class carriers. Phelan, however, intends to further examine this data, citing the need for a detailed review of the carrier’s aircraft launch and retrieval systems.
The magnetic catapults are integral to the Ford’s superiority over the Nimitz-class, reducing stress on aircraft, lowering maintenance demands, and minimizing fresh water usage. Currently, three additional Ford-class carriers are under construction: the USS John F. Kennedy, the USS Enterprise, and the USS Dorie Millier. The review will also consider the next two planned carriers, the USS William Jefferson Clinton and USS George W. Bush, which have yet to be contracted.
In contrast, the Trump administration has introduced a new warship design known as the Trump-class battleship, projected to exceed the Ford-class carriers by $4 billion, with an estimated cost of over $17 billion. The construction of the first ship, the USS Defiant, is scheduled for the 2028 budget year.
Phelan pointed out that the current cost estimate for the Trump-class ship is preliminary and could decrease as the design evolves. He also noted the potential for these ships to be nuclear-powered, which would considerably increase their expenses.
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