The state of readiness of the world's most expensive warship, the American aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, named after the 38th President of the United States, is 97% as of March, and it should begin testing at sea in July. This was announced by Assistant to the Head of the US Navy Sean Stackley.
“The $12.9 billion aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is expected to join the US Navy in September,” reports CNN, citing Stackley.
Commissioning of the new ship was scheduled for 2016 (according to some sources, in March), but previously a commission of the lower house of Congress stated that, according to their analysis, the aircraft carrier would not be ready for service until 2021.
Construction of the world's most expensive Ford began in 2009. It is carried out at the Newport News Shipbuilding shipyard in Newport News. Gerald R. Ford became the lead ship of the class of the same name.
IN open press It says the next multi-mission nuclear aircraft carriers will follow at intervals of five years, replacing older aircraft carriers approaching their fifty-year service life limit. The tenth aircraft carrier, the last in the series, is expected to be commissioned in 2058.
The next aircraft carrier in the series, John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), should be completed by 2020, according to CNN. As of March, its readiness is 18%. The keel of the third aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80) is scheduled for 2018.
At the same time the publication The Daily Press reports that the Ford is scheduled to go to sea in 2017, and “combat tests” are planned for 2019, followed by commissioning in 2021.
It is worth noting that, according to 2013 data, Ford was supposed to be delivered in 2015, Kennedy was also planned for 2020, and Enterprise was scheduled for 2025.
The program to create the largest warships for the US Navy, according to Sean Stackley, involves spending about $81.3 billion over the next five years to build 38 warships. A corresponding request has been sent to legislators. It is planned to replace the aging Ohio-class strategic submarines, nine Virginia-class attack submarines, ten Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and a small number of other surface ships. By 2021, in this case, the combat strength of the US Navy could reach 308 ships.
Gerald R.Ford class aircraft carriers are designed to gain superiority at sea and in the air in areas where naval forces operate. From them it is planned to launch air strikes on naval, important industrial and military facilities in order to undermine the military-economic potential of the enemy. In addition, the functions include combat support ground forces in continental theaters of military operations, ensuring the landing of large amphibious assaults and other combat missions.
The naval “behemoth,” as the American press dubbed it, accommodates more than 4.5 thousand crew members and has a total displacement of about 100 thousand tons. The maximum attainable speed of an aircraft carrier is more than 30 knots.
Ford-class aircraft carriers received enhanced technical capabilities compared to their predecessors: new system combat control, redesigned superstructure, electromagnetic catapults instead of the traditional steam catapult for launching aircraft. The new aircraft carrier is equipped with an electromagnetic launch system (EMALS), which allows aircraft to be launched every 45 seconds, which is 25% more often than with steam.
According to Stackley, the project had difficulties because construction of the aircraft carrier began before the design was completed. “Then we had to work on installing and testing new technologies, which also did not go without problems. The project was criticized by the famous Congressman John McCain, who heads the Defense Committee,” explained a Navy representative. The aircraft carrier has a new aerofinisher - a device consisting of a special thick steel cable stretched across the landing deck of the aircraft carrier, thanks to which the landing distance can be reduced.
“Ford's main system that the Navy was concerned about, a water-based braking device that uses water-based technology to provide a soft stop, has been tested and manufacturers believe it is.” key milestone“Stackley noted.
“At the direction of the admiral, [it] had to be redesigned, which pushed back the schedule. Even now, despite the fact that the system is installed on the ship, its ground testing continues,” writes The Daily Press analyst Hugh Lessig.
The Fords also have an expanded runway deck, allowing for a 20% increase in sortie intensity in virtually all weather conditions, a new nuclear power plant and an improved electrical power system.
Meanwhile, the Russian Navy has only one aircraft carrier - the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Flota Soviet Union Kuznetsov" from the times of the USSR. The Navy hopes that by 2030 the Russian fleet will acquire a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a “specific power plant.”
Published 02.06.17 13:42The cost of the ship reaches $13 billion, it is considered the most expensive warship in the world.
The US Navy received the newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, the cost of which is estimated at $12.9 billion. This is the most expensive ship in history, Interfax writes.
The aircraft carrier will be ready for operation only by 2020. Meanwhile, it is planned to build at least two more aircraft carriers of this type. It is assumed that warships of this class will replace Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
The US Navy reports that the USS Gerald R. Ford is technologically significantly superior to its predecessors: it can carry more aircraft intkbbee and at the same time it requires fewer military personnel to maintain it. The crew of the aircraft carrier, on which 70 aircraft will be based, will be about 4.5 thousand people.
For the first time since 1975, the US Navy is receiving a new class of aircraft carrier. Construction of the newest ship, which the media dubbed the “aircraft carrier of the future,” began back in 2009. It was planned that Gerald R. Ford would replace the aircraft carrier Enterprise, which has been in service since 1961, RIA Novosti clarifies.
The military assumed that construction of the Gerald R. Ford would be completed in September 2014, but these deadlines were postponed more than once.
Last July, a Pentagon report leaked to the media saying the ship had numerous problems. In particular, difficulties arose when landing and taking off aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier.
The good old arms race forces us to invest incredible amounts of money in the defense industry, all in order not to lose primacy in this competition to another country.
Of the ten most expensive ships in the world, the United States designed 2 aircraft carriers, 1 destroyer, 1 nuclear submarine and 1 helicopter carrier, that is, exactly half
Britain boasts one aircraft carrier and one submarine.
France has one nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
China has one aircraft carrier.
And one Russian development transferred to India.
Top 10:
The most expensive ship in the world is aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. Its value is almost $13 billion.
Total displacement - 98 thousand tons, length - 337 m, aviation group - over 75 helicopters and UAVs.
However, due to its unavailability, commissioning was postponed to 2017.
The second most expensive ship was built in Great Britain. Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elisabeth with a displacement of 65 thousand tons and a length of 280 m, it was launched on July 4, 2014. Since 2007, the total cost of work has doubled - from £3.9 billion ($6.7 billion) to £6.2 billion ($10.6 billion).
HMS Queen Elisabeth has three runways for 40 aircraft. It is expected to be accepted into the Navy in 2020.
In 2013 it was launched US Navy destroyer DDG-1000 Zumwalt worth $7 billion.
Its length is 182.9 m, width - 24.6 m, displacement 13.2 thousand tons. The ship will be commissioned into the fleet on October 15, 2016. Construction of the second and third destroyers of this type is underway. The total cost of the three-ship construction program is estimated at $22.4 billion.
Another American ship joined the US Navy in 2009 - aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) class Nimitz, named after the 41st President of the United States. Its cost was $6.2 billion.
Displacement - 97 thousand tons, length - 333 m, the aircraft carrier can carry up to 98 combat aircraft and helicopters
In December 1999, the French Navy received nuclear weapons. aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, founded in Brest in 1989. It cost $3.2 billion. Standard displacement is 36.6 thousand tons, full displacement is 40.55 thousand tons, length is 238 m.
home power plant consists of two K15 nuclear reactors (total capacity 300 MW) and two steam turbines(76 thousand hp). An air wing can include up to 40 aircraft and helicopters.
On November 19, 2015, he left his home port of Toulon and headed to the shores of Syria to participate in the operation against the Islamic State.
On August 27, 2010, the British nuclear submarine HMS Astute worth £1.6 billion ($2.4 billion).
Displacement - 7.2 thousand tons, length - 97 m, capable of carrying 38 Tomahawk cruise missiles with a flight range of 2 thousand km.
On October 22, 2010, the first of these submarines ran aground off the northwest coast of Scotland. In March 2013, the second submarine of this class, Ambush, was put into service; on July 20, 2016, during an exercise, it collided with a merchant ship off the coast of Gibraltar.
On October 23, 2004, the US Navy adopted the first nuclear submarine Virginia SSN-774. The 125-meter nuclear submarine with missile and torpedo armament (PLAT) is equipped with unmanned vehicles that are used underwater for reconnaissance purposes. Displacement - 7.8 thousand tons. By the end of 2014, the fleet included 11 PLATs. In total, it is planned to build 30 submarines of this type. The cost of a serial submarine is estimated at $2-2.5 billion
October 11, 2014 universal landing ship helicopter carrier USS America (LHA-6) was accepted into the US Navy. The cost of one ship is $2.4 billion.
The LHA-6 aircraft carrier has a displacement of 45 thousand tons and a length of 281 m. Unlike standard landing ships the design of the LHA-6 does not provide for a dock for boats, while the freed-up space is used as hangars for aircraft. It is planned that the new ship will be based on eight helicopters, as well as 12 tiltrotors and ten fighters with short take-off and vertical landing. A total of 11 ships are planned for the LHA-6 project. On June 22, 2014, the laying of the second ship of this type, Tripoli (LHA-7), took place. Launching is expected in 2017
On September 25, 2012, the Chinese Navy adopted the first aircraft carrier Liaoning. In 1998, China purchased the unfinished heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser Varyag from Ukraine for $20 million “for conversion into a tourist attraction.” "Varyag" was ordered for the USSR Navy and laid down in 1988. After the collapse of the USSR, the cruiser, 67% completed, remained at the Nikolaev Shipyard shipyard and went to Ukraine, but was never completed.
The displacement of the 300 m long ship exceeds 65 thousand tons. The cruiser could carry up to 60 aircraft, for which three runways were equipped, and it was also armed with missile systems. Its total cost at that time was about $2.4 billion
On November 16, 2013, Russia transferred the Indian Navy aircraft carrier Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov). Contract for the sale, modernization and supply of heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser"Admiral Gorshkov" was concluded in 2004, its cost was estimated at $974 million. By 2010, the cost of work increased to $2.33 billion. "Admiral Gorshkov", which became part of the USSR Navy in 1987, was put into storage in 1995 in the harbor of the village of Rosta (Murmansk) due to lack of funds for repairs and modernization.
Standard displacement is 38 thousand tons, total displacement is 45.5 thousand tons, length is 274 m, it can carry 24 carrier-based fighters and six helicopters
“What you paid for is what you got” - this is what most often happens when purchasing most goods, but this phrase best and most accurately applies to cases when we're talking about about arms costs. As a rule, an army with better funding is almost guaranteed to defeat an enemy that is much less well funded. But the strength of the army depends not only on monetary investments. In addition, one of the main factors is a strong economy, which allows weapons to be improved and made even more deadly. The most expensive military vehicles on the planet are closely related to the technological development of weapons systems and are capable of wreaking havoc and destruction in almost any corner globe. Most of them are warships such as destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers, armed with advanced missiles and equipped with nuclear reactors and powerful engines. And if you look at the expenditures of the countries of the world on weapons, then it is not surprising that most of the modern military equipment belongs to the USA.
10. Vikramaditya – $2.35 billion
Vikramaditya is a modified aircraft carrier acquired by the Indian military from the Russian military-industrial complex. The aircraft carrier was purchased at an inflated price, which made it clear how serious India is about ensuring its own security. The ship weighs 44,500 tons, is 274 meters long and 53 meters wide. Vikramaditya can swim up to 7,000 nautical miles, and its driving force is eight diesel boilers with six turbogenerators and six diesel generators. On board Vikramaditya there can be from 1,600 to 2,000 crew members, as well as up to thirty aircraft, helicopters and other aircraft.
9. B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber – $2.4 billion
The B-2 Spirit is an American strategic bomber capable of carrying out complex and dangerous missions. Its surface was designed in such a way that it was able to absorb radar signals and protect against radiation in the event nuclear explosion. The special aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft make it possible to shield the jets of the engines, the maximum thrust of which is 4 × 7700 kgf. The B-2 is capable of carrying up to 27,000 kilograms of military weapons, of which 16 nuclear missiles are on board. Fully fueled, it can travel a distance of 6,000 nautical miles. In general, it was created according to the “flying wing” aerodynamic design, which is why it received such an exotic appearance.
8. Aircraft carrier "Varyag" - $2.4 billion
When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the rights to the aircraft carrier Varyag, which at that time was only 70% completed, passed to Ukraine. It was then sold to a Chinese travel agency for just $20 million (even though the ship itself was missing its engine and rudder). After the Chinese plans to turn her into a floating luxury hotel fell through, the Varyag was transported to dry dock and placed at the disposal of the Chinese government. Since then, he has been under close surveillance by the US government. And although on this moment While no one knows anything about the Chinese plans for the Varyag, defense experts speculate that it could serve as an excellent training platform or ultimately become another Chinese aircraft carrier.
7. Virginia-class submarine - $2.5 billion
This new class attack submarines was designed specifically for numerous missions conducted in both shallow and deep waters. Submarines of this type are equipped with a nuclear reactor, four torpedo tubes and twelve vertical launchers capable of firing up to 16 cruise missiles at a time. The low visibility of this vessel allows it to transport special forces of the Navy for reconnaissance and combat operations. The nuclear reactor is paired with two gas turbine engines and a jet pump, producing more than 29 megawatts of energy.
6. USS America – $3.4 billion
USS America is an LHA 6 aircraft carrier, an amphibious assault ship and one of the newest ships of the US Navy. Powered by steam turbine engines, it is capable of traveling up to 11,000 nautical miles at a speed of 16 knots, or up to 22,000 nautical miles at a speed of up to 12.5 knots. This aircraft carrier can carry up to 34 aircraft, which are located on a take-off deck with an area of 8,000 square meters. Approximately 1,700 square meters of its deck are dedicated to landing vehicles. There is a separate deck with an area of 11,000 square meters for storing ammunition. Six weapon and cargo lifts allow quick movement between decks.
5. Aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle – 4 billion
This is a rather controversial project, the construction of which lasted decades and cost enormous amounts of money. The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle was originally commissioned in 1986 and was only recently tested after a number of problems that had arisen throughout its operation were resolved. This is the first French aircraft carrier to be equipped with a nuclear engine. The aircraft carrier is powered by two nuclear reactors capable of generating a total of up to 117,000 kilowatts of power, as well as four diesel generators, four gas turbine generators and four turbo generators. It is capable of transporting up to 40 aircraft and 1,900 crew members. Charles de Gaulle reaches 261 meters in length and 64 meters in width. At the beginning of January 2015, it became known that France was going to send this aircraft carrier to Persian Gulf during the military campaign against the ISIS group.
4. HMS Astute – $5.5 billion
HMS Astute is a British Nimitz-class submarine that was recently stranded off the coast of Scotland after running aground while moving troops to the coast. Unfortunately, despite the super-powerful nuclear engine capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 knots, the submarine was unable to get out of this difficult situation on its own, and the military had to resort to the help of tugboats. HMS Astute is equipped with modern bow torpedoes capable of sinking ships up to 30 miles away, as well as Tomahawk missiles with a range of over 1,000 miles.
3. DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyer – $7 Billion
The initial cost of the stealth DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer, designed to bypass enemy defenses and all kinds of support operations, amounted to about $3.8 billion. However, the cost of the ship almost doubled after the US Navy equipped it with the most modern and high-tech filling. According to some reports, this ship on enemy radar appears no more than an ordinary fishing boat. USS Zumwalt features an advanced automation system that requires half the crew to operate the ship.
2. HMS Queen Elizabeth – $9.3 billion
HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest warship of the United Kingdom. Its length is 284 meters and its width is 73 meters. The total number of crew members on this vessel is 1,600 people. This one is capable of sailing almost 10,000 nautical miles without the need to refuel. Like the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the initial budget for this project was significantly smaller, and over time it almost doubled. The main costs were to improve the automation of ship control, which made it possible to reduce the minimum required number of crew members to 679 people. In addition, a number of costs were incurred on the order of the F-35B Lightning II fighter-bombers, which will be part of the strike group of this aircraft carrier.
1. USS Gerald Ford – $13 billion
The world's most expensive military aircraft carrier, USS Gerald Ford, boasts a length of 337 meters and is almost completely invisible to radar. This monolithic wonder allows up to 220 takeoffs and landings per day with two runways and a crew of 5,000, including 4,000 Marines. The construction costs of this giant exceeded expectations by almost $3 billion compared to the originally planned budget. This was mainly due to numerous delays and the installation of the latest top-secret equipment. When the carrier finally launches in 2019, it will be able to launch aircraft and reload its guns 25% faster than all of today's most efficient platforms of its kind.
As a rule, it is the military that receives the best financial support from the government: after all, the sovereignty of the country directly depends on the guys in uniform. The constant arms race is like a black hole, capable of absorbing any, even completely astronomical, amount of money. Fortunately, this does not happen without a trace. The result of endless injections of money are more and more new military “animals” - the cost of the latest developments is so high that it can lead the country to economic collapse even without any war.
INS Vikramaditya
Cost: $2.35 billion
Vikramaditya is a Kyiv-class aircraft carrier acquired by India from Russia. The modifications requested by customers cost a few extra tens of millions of dollars - but with the total number of zeros adding up, it doesn't really matter. The aircraft carrier is capable of carrying more than thirty combat aircraft and carrying up to 2,000 people.
B-2 Spirit
Cost: $2.4 billion 
The somewhat outdated, but still very expensive stealth bomber B-2 Spirit is intended for tactical nuclear strikes against distant enemy forces. The B-2 is capable of carrying a gift of 16 nuclear warheads over a distance of 6,000 nautical miles without spilling a drop - which, of course, helps it with specially developed radar evasion technology.
Aircraft carrier "Varyag"
Cost: $2.4 billion 
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the still unfinished Varyag went to Ukraine, which hastened to sell the ship for a ridiculous $20 million to a Chinese travel agency. Instead of using the aircraft carrier as a floating casino, the DPRK government put it in dry dock. Military experts suggest that the Varyag has become a training platform that could very well turn into a combat ship if necessary.
Submarine Virginia
Cost: $2.4 billion 
The new class of submarines is capable of operating in shallow waters, making them a serious problem for enemy ships in port. The Virginia-class vessel is powered by a nuclear reactor and equipped with four torpedo tubes and twelve vertical launchers.
USS America
Cost: $3.4 billion 
America is one of the newest ships in the US Navy. This miracle of military technology, with 34 attack aircraft waiting on its deck, is capable of reversing the outcome of any battle. With a range of over 22,000 nautical miles, USS America is a true self-propelled fortress with kill capability.
Aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle
Cost: $4 billion 
The controversial project, which took decades and countless funds to develop, became the first French aircraft carrier with a nuclear reactor. 40 aircraft and 1900 crew members - all that remains is to test it in action. However, this will not be the end of the matter: back in January 2015, the French government decided to send an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf to attack the positions of ISIS terrorists.
HMS Astute
Cost: $4 billion 
The Royal Navy submarine HMS Astute is part of the new Nimitz class. Relatively recently, this miracle of engineering ran aground off the coast of Scotland, which caused a number of caustic statements in the British press. HMS Astute is equipped with modern Spearfish torpedoes, each of which is capable of sinking a ship at a distance of 30 nautical miles. In addition, the submarine's ammunition includes Tomahawk missiles, whose flight range exceeds 1,000 nautical miles.
USS Zumwalt
Cost: $7 billion 
The advanced automation system installed on the USS Zumwalt allowed the crew size to be reduced to a minimum. Packed to the brim with the latest technological developments, the Zamvolt should become the main US combat ship for the next couple of decades - if the budget is enough, of course.
HMS Queen Elizabeth
Cost: $9.3 billion 
The Queen Elizabeth, barely off the stocks, became the largest warship in the United Kingdom. This aircraft carrier, whose technical equipment is considered almost the best in its class, is capable of traveling 10,000 nautical miles without refueling: you would think that Great Britain is seriously planning to regain its status as Queen of the Seas.
USS Gerald Ford
Cost: $13 billion 
The most expensive military equipment The aircraft carrier Gerald Ford has rightfully become the world's largest aircraft carrier, whose impressive dimensions fly beyond the attention of enemy radars thanks to specially developed stealth technology. This monolithic god of war is capable of launching 220 aircraft per day - this “throughput” capacity is provided by two runways and as many as five thousand crew members.
