The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the lead ship of the Navy's newest aircraft carrier class, cannot currently operate the F-35C Lightning II stealth fighter due to a combination of design, certification, and logistical limitations stemming from the carrier's development timeline and ongoing upgrades. While the carrier's core systems—like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG)—are technically capable of handling the F-35C (with certification achieved for those components), full integration requires additional modifications that have not yet been completed on the Ford. Here's a breakdown of the key reasons:
1. Design and Construction Timeline Mismatch
- The Ford's final design was locked in around 2006–2007, before the F-35C program had fully matured and finalized specifications. As a result, the carrier was built around the existing air wing (primarily F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers), without built-in provisions for the F-35C's unique requirements, such as its heavier weight, higher power demands, and specialized maintenance systems.
- This means retrofits are needed post-delivery, including upgrades to jet blast deflectors (to handle the F-35C's exhaust), weapons elevators, power systems, and hangar/deck storage for stealth coatings and specialized parts.
2. Maintenance and Logistics Infrastructure
- The F-35C relies on the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) or its successor ODIN (Operational Data Integrated Network) for diagnostics, parts tracking, and sustainment—systems that require dedicated onboard hardware, software, and trained personnel. The Ford lacks these integrated setups, including specialized test benches in its Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD).
- Without them, sustaining a full F-35C squadron (typically 10–12 aircraft) for extended deployments is impractical, as the carrier would need to stock unique parts and handle the jet's stealth-specific upkeep, which isn't feasible without major overhauls.
3. Upgrade and Refit Schedule
- The Ford is currently serving as a training and testing platform while ironing out broader issues (e.g., weapons elevators and EMALS reliability). Full F-35C certification and modifications aren't scheduled until its next major refit, likely in the late 2020s or early 2030s—years after delivery in 2017 and its first deployment in 2022.
- In the interim, older Nimitz-class carriers (like USS Carl Vinson and USS Abraham Lincoln) have been prioritized for F-35C upgrades because they can integrate the jets more quickly and affordably during routine maintenance periods. As of mid-2025, no Ford-class carrier has embarked a full F-35C squadron.
Current Status (as of September 2025)
- The Ford can perform limited F-35C test flights (e.g., short-term launches and recoveries via EMALS/AAG), but not sustained operations.
- The follow-on USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is being rushed for F-35C readiness during construction, potentially making it the first Ford-class ship to deploy with the jets around 2024–2025. Later ships like USS Enterprise (CVN-80) will incorporate F-35C features from the outset.
This situation highlights broader challenges with the Ford-class program, including cost overruns and delays, but it doesn't prevent future F-35C operations—it's just a matter of time and investment. Congress has pushed back on accepting carriers without this capability, emphasizing the need for the newest ships to pair with the newest aircraft.
