Meet The New Ford-class Super Aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)
From Weapons of The World
Media www.rajawalisiber.com – The John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) is the second ship of the four-strong Gerald R. Ford-class led by the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) itself with the USS Enterprise (CVN-80) and USS Doris Miller (CVN-81).
The JFK, powered by nuclear reactors which will provide for a straight line speed of approximately 30 knots in ideal conditions – exceptionally fast, considering a vessel of this size. Use of nuclear power, feature essentially unlimited operational ranges, and are theoretically only restricted by the lifespan of the reactor itself, which can span several decades (20 to 25 years possible before replacement is required).
Structurally, the JFK follow the original USS Gerald R. Ford and, displace a listed 100,000 tons. Its length is 1,106 feet with a beam (length) measuring 134 feet and draught (height) of 39 feet.
Like previous USN carrier offerings, the JFK given a primarily flat deck surface, with only an island superstructure fitted to the starboard side.
However, in the new configuration, the island superstructure, will reside well-aft of midships, clearing the mid and frontal deck space for aircraft actions (newer European carriers are featuring twin island superstructures, a second tower to specifically handle aircraft management).
Four Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) catapults, used in place of the traditional steam systems, to launch up to four aircraft simultaneously.
Two catapults, will be featured at the bow, with the remaining two at portside.
The flight deck, serviced by three main hangar elevators – two fitted along starboard and one along port – which will provide access to full-service hangars below including maintenance, repair, fuel and munitions.
Up to 90 navalized aircraft of various types (fixed-wing, rotary-wing, UAVs/UCAVs) will be supported at any one time. Like other modern surface warships,
The Kennedy also feature radar reduction measures, either through special coatings or enclosed structures, to help minimize its profile to enemy tracking systems.
The entire CVN-79 crew complement will number a maximum of 4,660 personnel, typically made up of 500 officers, 3,790 enlisted and other security and special persons. While the offensive reach of the JFK supercarrier will primarily be its air wing,
the vessel also be granted use of defensive-minded weaponry, to counter incoming aerial threats (aircraft, cruise missiles and otherwise) that manage to get through the entire USN fleet carrier group defense network.
This includes use of 2 x RIM-162 ESSM medium-ranged surface-to-air missile launchers or 2 x RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) infrared homing, surface-to-air launchers.
Close-in defense will be provided by 2 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems and 4 x 12.7mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns (or similar). CVN-79 outfitted with the latest in USN-approved sensor and processing systems.
The AN/SPY-3 Dual-Band Radar system originally developed for the upcoming Zumwalt-class-destroyer, featured as will full 3D tracking and combat control suites, GPS support, encrypted data links and systems automation.
All told, it is presumed that the new arrangement will make the Kennedy a highly-efficient and ultra-modern fighting surface vessel with no comparable design outside of the USN.
It is suspected that the Gerald R. Ford-class will replace several of the older existing Nimitz-class fleet.