USS Gerald R Ford: As soon as the name of America’s USS Gerald R Ford comes up, the picture of a warship equipped with advanced technology and invincible powers emerges. The technology used in this warship and its capabilities are not found in the warships of any country in the world. That’s why the enemy trembles just by hearing its name. Nuclear powered carriers, stealth technology, electromagnetic catapults and automated systems also fulfill the needs of the crew. Imagine, if toilets are not working in such a high-tech warship, then it becomes a matter of name being big and philosophy being small.
However, according to an internal document of the US Navy, from June 2023 till now, whenever the entire crew has been present on the ship, complaints of malfunction in the ship’s vacuum collection and holding tank system have been reported almost every day. The ship’s technical staff had to be called repeatedly to repair this system or clear the jam. This information has been given in an undated document made available by the Navy under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
₹119000 crore ship, this is the condition of the toilet?
According to the document, from 2023 till now this aircraft carrier has had to seek external help 42 times due to technical problems. It is a matter of concern that the number of these calls is continuously increasing. So far in the year 2025 alone, outside assistance has had to be taken 32 times, while since the latest deployment started in June, technical teams have been called 12 times.
Navy records show that this problem with the VCHT system is persistent, impacting the ship’s daily operations and crew facilities. The ever-increasing complaints indicate that the condition of the system remains critical and a permanent solution is needed.
USS Gerald R. What is Ford?
USS Gerald R. Ford is the most modern and largest aircraft carrier of the US Navy. It is the first ship of the Ford-class and is equipped with new technology, nuclear power and advanced weapon systems.
How many soldiers and crew members live in the USS Ford?
- Ship crew: approximately 2,600
- Air Wing (Pilots, Technicians, Aircraft Staff): About 2,200
- Overall: About 4,800 to 5,000 people are on the ship at any one time.
How many aircraft can be deployed on the USS Ford?
An average of 75 to 90 military aircraft and helicopters can be deployed on the USS Ford, including-
- F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet
- F-35C stealth fighter jet
- EA-18G Growler (Electronic Warfare)
- E-2D Hawkeye (radar and surveillance aircraft)
- MH-60 Seahawk helicopter[/ans]
How long does the USS Ford go without needing fuel?
It runs on nuclear energy and its reactors can work for about 25 years without refueling.
USS Gerald Ford is facing toilet related problems.
What are the special technical features of USS Ford?
Very advanced technology has been used in the Ford class aircraft carriers. Its biggest thing is its electromagnetic aircraft launch system. Instead of steam, magnetic waves are used, through which any type of light or heavy aircraft can be launched.
- The warship can conduct 160 to 220 sorties in a day. More than 75 fighter planes are deployed on it.
- Due to its advanced technology, it requires 700 to 1,000 less soldiers than the Nimitz class, which reduces operating costs. It has more operation capacity with less crew.
- It has two powerful nuclear reactors which give it unlimited range. It can remain in the sea for 25 years without refueling. It tracks planes from a distance.
- Ford Class is the most expensive military project in the world. The first USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) cost approximately $13.3 billion to build. Its research alone cost $5 billion.
Top in technology, then why did basic needs fail?
This warship is considered a symbol of America’s technological superiority throughout the world. Countries like China and Russia are now making carrier killer missiles, but these warships create a shield through high quality defense systems and laser weapons. Imagine, this ship with such capacity has everything but there is no seamless technology like flush toilet, which can save the crew from struggling even for their basic needs.
