USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

The Gerald R. Ford, as seen in-game

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The USS Gerald R. Ford is an American aircraft carrier in the game.

## History:

The Gerald R. Ford, an aircraft carrier, was laid down in November 2009. Built as an upgraded version of the Nimitz-class, the Gerald R. Ford is larger, and better than her predecessor. As of 2017, she is the world's largest carrier, displacing over 100,000 tons. She is still in service with the US Navy. Her sister ships, USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) and USS Enterprise (CVN-80), are currently still being built.

## Overview

The Gerald R. Ford is a tier 3 aircraft carrier featured in the game. In many aspects, the ship is an enhanced version of its predecessor, the USS Nimitz; armed with improved aircraft, air defenses and autocannons that can pose a significant threat to any rival ships. Under the correct conditions, build and player, the Gerald can single-handedly decimate an entire fleet.

## Tactics

### Playing as a Gerald R Ford

During the beginning of a match, the Gerald can provide reconnaissance using a fast helicopter or a squadron of fighters for allied ships, thus giving them a crucial advantage over the rival team. Once the enemy ships have been spotted, the Gerald can then send a squadron of strike fighters and deploy a drone too. Both air units can be deployed simultaneously, and the player can switch between units to maximize their use (the game's AI will immediately take control of an "idle" air unit).

While the player is busy dealing with heavier ships from afar, the ship's autocannons will automatically fire at any nearby enemy surface units.

### Playing along a Gerald R Ford

The Gerald will need assistance, especially when dealing with submarines. Allied ships can help in searching and eliminating submarines, while the Gerald can weaken heavier enemy units in return. Allied ships can also provide an additional anti air defense against any hostile missiles or aircraft.

### Playing against a Gerald R Ford

The Gerald has its defects that can be easily utilized. The ships lack of anti-submarine defenses makes it vulnerable against submarines, and its large size makes it difficult to miss when firing at the ship from a distance.

Surface ships should attack in a steady and an organized formation, with each ship complimenting the other's anti air defense, denying the Gerald from being able to deal significant damage with its aircraft.

Submarines also can as easily cripple the ship with little resistance, as its poor anti submarine defenses make it an easy target. However, be warned of any ships that are escorting the target Gerald.

## Suggested Armaments Setup

The ship, with its flexible armaments setup, can be armed with various weapons that will furthermore improve the ship's performance. Below are some suggested weapons setup. But, bear in mind that these are just suggestions.

* Strike Fighter: F-35 Lightning II (for high damage), F/A-XX or RAFALE M (for a multipurpose aircraft), F-3 (best one from market), FCAS (most cost efficient from market)
* Fighter: F-22 Raptor, ATD-X (best one from the market), J-20 (for spotting).
* Drone: FL-71, S-70 Okhotnik-B
* Helicopter: WZ-19 CAIC or SV-22 Osprey (for detecting enemies quickly at the prelude of the match), Ka-58 Black Ghost (for a more effective defense against submarines), MUH-1 Marineon (for extra ASuW capability in close range and extra AA).
* Autocannon: Marlin (40 mm) (for those who camp in spawn), RAPIDFire (enhances your AA).
* Air Defense (slot 1):ANSEQ-3 (for players with the "hero" status), Garpun (best anti aircraft module), Sea RAM (when used in this slot combine with sea sparrow or garpun).
* Air Defense (slot 2):ANSEQ-3 (for players with the "hero" status), RIM-7 Sea Sparrow (combine with sea ram for an excellent defense, Pantsir-ME (for an anti aircraft module), Garpun (upgraded pantsir), Sea RAM (best anti missile defence, combine with garpun if used in this slot)

## Advantages and Disadvantages

### Advantages

* Comes equipped with many autocannons.
* Powerful anti air defense.
* High speed for an aircraft carrier.
* Good HP pool of 466,000 points.
* Large aviation capacity with a full strike fighter, fighter, drone and helicopter compliment.

### Disadvantages

* Low maneuverability.
* Large size makes it utterly vulnerable to all fire.
* Ineffective against submarines (no grenade launchers).

## Trivia

* This ship is one of two aircraft carriers fitted with Eletromagnetic catapults in the world, with the other being the CN Type 003 Fujian.
* The ship is currently the world's largest actively serving vessel.
* The ship is a successor to the Nimitz-class. (Nimitz-Class Ship is currently in Tier II)
* The ship's durability was increased from 299,000 to 309,000 in update 0.47.5, which was released globally on December 29, 2021.
* The ships price has been increased to 17,100,000 dollars during January 17, 2022.