USS Gerald R. Ford
The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has an extremely difficult fate. From the moment of its laying in 2009 until its final commissioning at the end of last year, the most expensive warship in history was plagued by setbacks.
Initially, it was planned to integrate a number of new systems into it — in particular, a new radar, an electromagnetic launch catapult, improved lifts for delivering ammunition to the deck, and much more. However, in 2018, during sea trials, the ship revealed serious problems with the power plant, then the lifts and catapults failed. The aircraft carrier has turned into a useless and extremely expensive pile of iron. It took huge additional expenses to fix the found malfunctions.
USS Gerald R. Ford
According to the US Congressional Research Service, the newest nuclear aircraft carrier cost American taxpayers more than $ 13 billion. And this is without taking into account carrier—based aircraft and escorts - escort ships and nuclear submarines. It seems that the bad luck streak for the ill—fated aircraft carrier is over - without fanfare and fanfare in December 2021, he finally went on combat duty. Moreover, the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard has laid down the next Ford—Enterprise class aircraft carrier, which will be accepted into the US Navy in 5-6 years.