US Navy's Ford-class Aircraft Carrier Faces Supply Chain Delays
The US Navy's third Ford-class aircraft carrier is facing delays, potentially pushing its delivery to 2030 due to supply chain issues and COVID-19 impacts. The USS Enterprise (CVN-80) is now anticipated to be delayed by 18 to 26 months from its original delivery date. This delay adds to the existing problems in the Ford supercarrier program, amidst concerns about China's rapid growth in naval capabilities, potentially overshadowing US naval capacity.
Key Takeaways
- The US Navy's third Ford-class aircraft carrier is facing delays and may not be delivered until 2030, attributed to supply chain issues and COVID-19 effects.
- USS Enterprise's delivery is expected to be delayed from 18 to 26 months after its planned date, with potentially more extensive delays.
- Supply chain issues and materials are cited as the main cause of Enterprise's delays, affecting other major Navy programs.
- The Ford program has a history of delays and cost issues, with the USS Gerald R. Ford experiencing years of delays and cost overruns.
- With China rapidly surpassing American shipbuilding and tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, concerns about naval conflict are rising, as China expands its naval capabilities.
News Content
The US Navy's third Ford-class aircraft carrier faces delays and may not be delivered until 2030 due to supply chain issues and lingering effects of COVID-19. The delay of the USS Enterprise (CVN-80) from its planned delivery date to March 2028 until September 2029 to May 2030 was determined after a 45-day review ordered by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro. Additionally, the majority of the Navy's biggest programs are facing delays of one to three years at current production performance.
The following Ford-class carrier, USS Doris Miller (CVN-81), is currently on schedule thanks to the Navy buying both ships at the same time. The first-in-class ship, USS Gerald R. Ford, also faced years of delays and escalated costs due to integrating new technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing issues, leading to delays the Enterprise is facing today. News of the Enterprise's delay comes amid concerns about China's rapidly growing naval capabilities and tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the Navy increasingly prioritizing the development of unmanned systems in the force.
China's growing naval capacity, including the "carrier killer" anti-ship missiles, raises questions about the role carriers could play in a naval conflict. This highlights the urgency for the US Navy to address the delays and challenges it is facing in order to maintain its naval superiority.
Analysis
The delays in the delivery of the USS Enterprise can be attributed to supply chain disruptions and COVID-19 effects. In the short term, the Navy faces operational challenges and potential budget overruns. Long term, they may experience decreased readiness and diminished strategic advantage. The ripple effect extends to heightened pressure on other big programs due to production delays. The integration of new technologies in first-in-class ships and the emphasis on unmanned systems complicates matters. As China's naval prowess escalates, the urgency for resolution intensifies to ensure the US Navy's continued superiority in the face of evolving naval warfare dynamics.
Do You Know?
- Ford-class aircraft carrier: A new class of aircraft carriers developed by the US Navy, featuring advanced technologies and capabilities compared to its predecessors, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Doris Miller.
- Unmanned systems in the force: Refers to the increasing focus on developing and utilizing unmanned or autonomous systems within the US Navy, including drones, autonomous ships, and underwater vehicles, for various military operations and missions.
- "Carrier killer" anti-ship missiles: High-tech missiles developed by countries like China, designed to specifically target and destroy aircraft carriers, posing a threat to the traditional dominance of carriers in naval warfare.