# Modernization of a New Carrier {USS Gerald Ford}

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modernization-of-a-new-carrier-uss-gerald-ford/972761>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 5, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modernization-of-a-new-carrier-uss-gerald-ford/972761 "2022-10-05T13:45:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modernization-of-a-new-carrier-uss-gerald-ford/972761/7 "2022-10-05T14:26:25Z")

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The Ford had more new systems introduced into a Carrier design than any carrier since the first (The USS Langley) (Maybe more). It is not a normal launch.

They’ve had plenty of problems with some of the new systems. Here are some of them.

- An Electromagnetic Launching System (EMALS) have replaced the Steam Catapults. (Faster and take up less space)
- Advanced Arresting Gear
- 11 Advanced Weapons Elevators (a major issue sadly but now resolved)
- The Radar systems, [AN/SPY-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/SPY-3) and [AN/SPY-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AN/SPY-4&action=edit&redlink=1) [active electronically scanned array](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_electronically_scanned_array) multi-function, multi-band radar
- a taller island set 140’ back.
- Lots of automation to reduce crew size. From up to 6000 down to 4500.
- I believe the Nuclear power plants and definitely the electrical generation systems are more robust.
- State of the art computer systems

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