On June 18, the Navy's new aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford went through shock trials.Shock trials are intended to assess the ship's ability to withstand combat stress.This is the first time that a US carrier has been subject to these tests since 1987's USS Theodore Roosevelt.Check out more stories from Insider's business page.The US Navy released footage and images this month of the USS Gerald R. Ford, its newest carrier. It was going through shock trials about 100 miles off the Florida coast.Tests were conducted with the crew aboard and involved the detonation of a 40,000-pound explosive from Ford's starboard side. It was strong enough to register 3.9 on Richter scale, roughly the equivalent of a small earthquake.This was the Ford's first of three trials. The next two will be closer to the ship. It was also the first such test for a US carrier since 1987's USS Theodore Roosevelt.The US Navy debates the effectiveness of shock trials. However, the fact that they are being conducted on the Ford shows that the Navy is serious in maximizing the ship’s survival against 21st century threats.Tests of old threatsFord in shock trials, June 18, 2021. US Navy/MCS Seaman Jackson AdkinsShock trials are used to determine how well the ship's components and systems hold up in combat. They are not unusual.In 2016, shock trials were conducted on the USS Jackson (littoral combat ship) and USS Milwaukee (naval combat ship).Both the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (which carries aircraft) and the amphibious assault vessel USS Wasp went through shock trials in 2008, 1990. The nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS Arkansas did the shock trials in 1982.It is quite unusual that the Navy did shock trials on the first Gerald R. Ford class carrier in service. Shock trials are usually conducted by the Navy on vessels of a particular class.USS Mesa Verde was rocked by a 10,000-pound charge off the Florida coast on August 16, 2008. US Navy/PO2 David R. QuillenFord may have been subject to trials because the Navy wanted to make sure that the carrier was ready for combat when it deploys, which is likely to happen in 2022.Officials from the US Navy have admitted to increasing use of anti-ship weaponry, especially China's DF-21D and DF-26 missiles.Recent Congressional Research Service reports on the Ford-class cited China "with highly capable anti ship missiles", raising questions about "the potential survivability" carriers in a conflict.In the same report, it was also stated that live tests showed that Ford has "limited self-defense capabilities" against anti-ship cruise missiles.Systems and capabilities that are newFord during shock trials, June 18, 2021. US Navy/MCS3 Zachary MelvinFord has many new capabilities and systems that are not on the Nimitz-class predecessors. They have also not been subject to combat conditions.The new weapons elevator system was designed to speed up the process of arming aircraft.The new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System uses induction motors to power the carrier's catapults. This allows for faster, more efficient takeoffs of fixed-wing aircraft.Ford's Advanced Arresting Gear system uses electromagnetic technology. The new arresting system reduces stress when landing aircraft and allows larger unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the MQ-25 Stingray, to land on Ford.The shock test of the US Navy's guided-missile cruiser USS Arkansas, March 17, 1982. US Navy/PH1 ToonFord has also developed a Dual Band Radar system. Ford's new Dual Band Radar system is more sensitive than Nimitz-class aircraft and can be operated and maintained in a single location.According to the Navy, the new systems allow Ford's airwing to perform 33% more sorties and reduce crew requirements to operate the ship to approximately 4,500. This is down from the roughly 5,00 required aboard Nimitz-class carriers.Ford's A1B nuclear reactors are completely new and generate nearly three times the power of A4W reactors on Nimitz-class carriers. This significantly increases Ford's electric power generation and capacity.Ford's high-tech systems can be powered reliably by this power capacity. It also opens the possibility of future upgrades, such as direct-energy weapons.Future CarriersFord during the shock trials, June 18, 2021 US Navy photo courtesy of Mass Communication Specialist 3rd class Riley B. McDowellAlthough the new systems have impressive capabilities, Ford still has a lot to do.Due to ongoing delays with the weapon elevators, not all were available when shock trials began. This means that they won't have been fully tested during trials.The Navy also accepted the new carrier, but it was not able to handle F-35C which was supposed be the backbone for Ford's air wings.Although the jet can't fly from Ford, officials at Navy say that they plan to have at least six F-35s-equipped air wings by 2025.On February 28, 2020, John F. Kennedy's aircraft carrier is launched into James River. Ashley Cowan/Huntington Ignalls IndustriesDespite these setbacks, Navy hopes Ford, which was commissioned back in 2017, will be ready for its maiden deployment in 2022.After the shock trials are over, Ford will enter a one-month maintenance period. This is the sixth such maintenance period for the Ford. It will repair any damage sustained during the trials and add the final upgrades.The John F. Kennedy is the second Ford-class carrier currently under construction, and the Enterprise is still in its early stages. These carriers will be delivered to Navy in 2024, 2028 and 2028.The fourth Ford-class Ford carrier was ordered in 2019. It is expected to be delivered in 2032. It will be named in honor of Doris Miller, a Pearl Harbor hero and first Black recipient the Navy Cross.
