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Naval ForcesUnited States

Gerald R. Ford class (CVN 78)

Nuclear aircraft carrierIn serviceFielded 2017Pending verification

Also known as: CVN 78

Naval ForcesUSA
Gerald R. Ford class (CVN 78)
Photo: U.S. Navy CVN78 by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tajh Payne · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeNuclear aircraft carrier
Alternative designationsCVN 78
Date of introduction2017
ProliferationOrigin country only
Crew4,539Ship, air wing and staffHigh[1]
Dimensions and weight
Displacement100,000 long tonsApproximate, full loadHigh[1]
Length332.8 m1,092 ft1,092 ftHigh[1]
Beam40.8 m134 ft134 ft; flight deck 256 ftHigh[1]
Propulsion and performance
Speed30 kt56 km/h30+ knotsHigh[1]
PropulsionTwo nuclear reactors, four shaftsHigh[1]
Armament
Embarked aircraft7575+High[1]
ArmamentESSM, Rolling Airframe Missile, CIWSHigh[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
Carrier air wingStrike, air defense, ISR
High[1]
Quantity
75+ aircraft
ESSMShip self-defense
High[1][2]
Warhead
90-lb annular blast fragmentation

Range classified

Rolling Airframe MissilePoint defense
High[1]
CIWSClose-in weapon system
High[1]
Summary

Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier class succeeding the Nimitz class; CVN 78 in service, CVN 79–81 under construction.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
United States
Sources
  1. Aircraft Carriers (CVN), U.S. Navy Fact Files
    Published/updated 2021-11-12 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-03
  2. Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 1 (RIM-162D), U.S. Navy Fact Files
    Published/updated 2022-10-21 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-03
Change log
  • 2026-10-03 Initial draft entry from cited open sources
  • 2026-10-03 Added payload options and capabilities
  • 2026-10-04 Added photo (Public domain)