AL Politicians Weigh-In on the USS Gerald R. Ford

Several Alabama politicians took to Twitter over the weekend to congratulate the U.S. Navy on the commissioning of its latest state-of-the-art aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford. Representative Bradley Byrne and Senator Luther Strange sent their congratulations over social media, calling it a “first in class” aircraft carrier.

In his address at the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, President Trump called the carrier a “100,000 ton message to the world.” He also praised the continued work of the U.S. Military by saying, “everyone will know that America is coming and America is coming strong.”

The USS Ford is the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world and boasts a hefty price tag of $13 billion. The 1,100 feet long, nuclear capable carrier incorporates the most advanced technology found in the U.S. Naval Fleet. A touchscreen navigation system has replaced the traditional throttle system, and will allow for the ship to nearly sail itself. The extended landing platform includes an electromagnetic launch system that will allow the Ford to launch 33% more aircraft than the current Nimitz-class carriers. Two new reactors will power all of this state-of-the-art technology, giving the Ford 250% more electrical capacity than its current counterparts.

In addition to the technological advances found on the ship, the Ford also aims to improve the quality of life for its sailors. The carrier operates with a crew of just 2,600 sailors, which is 600 less than the Nimitz-class carriers.

With threats to national security from enemies such as North Korea and terrorist groups growing each day, ships such as the USS Ford will play a driving force in keeping American citizens safe. In fact, the mere presence of these gargantuan American carriers has been known to keep enemies at bay.

The U.S. Navy has ordered three of these Ford-class carriers to be added to the fleet. The U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford will officially be deployed in 2020.