No, the USS Gerald R. Ford has not successfully launched an F-35C because it was not designed to operate them, requiring a future refit to incorporate the necessary maintenance systems, test equipment, and modified catapults. While the Ford class of carriers was intended to become the primary platform for the F-35C, its initial construction predated the completion of the F-35C's operational requirements, necessitating future upgrades to integrate the aircraft.
Why the Ford couldn't initially launch F-35Cs:
- Design predated operational requirements:The Ford-class carrier design concluded before the F-35C's operational needs were fully defined, meaning the carrier was not built with the specific systems and capabilities required to support the F-35C.
- Maintenance and equipment needs:The F-35C requires specialized digital maintenance systems and equipment that were not integrated into the USS Ford's initial design. This includes different test benches, stands, and maintenance procedures for the F-35C's unique low-observable airframe.
- Future refit required:The USS Ford will need to undergo a significant yard period and refit to receive the necessary modifications to handle the F-35C, a process that was anticipated in the carrier's long-term plan.
The F-35C and Ford-class carriers:
- Subsequent Ford carriers will have the capability:Future carriers of the Ford-class, such as the USS John F. Kennedy and USS Enterprise, are being built with the F-35C's operational requirements integrated from the start.
- Other carriers will be the first:The USS Carl Vinson, an older Nimitz-class carrier, was the first U.S. Navy carrier to be upgraded to operate the F-35C and is expected to be the first to fly the F-35C from a U.S. carrier.
