CVN-81

The CVN-81 Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Program is a major line item in the Department of the Navy's Shipbuilding and Conversion budget, specifically under the Other Warships activity. The primary goal of this program is the procurement and construction of the CVN-81, the fourth Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It is designed to provide credible, sustainable, and independent forward presence during peacetime, as well as to serve as the cornerstone of joint and allied maritime expeditionary operations during crises. The program aims to deliver a warship with advanced capabilities to carry out multi-mission offensive operations and adapt to evolving threats over a projected 50-year service life.

The Basic Construction/Conversion objective encompasses the physical building of the ship, including the hull, mechanical, and electrical systems. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding, is the designated construction agent, with contract mechanisms designed to incentivize performance and minimize cost overruns. The construction incorporates lessons learned from previous Ford-class carriers to streamline processes, reduce maintenance, and optimize manning requirements. The contract structure also enables economic order quantity purchases and engineering rollovers between CVN-80 and CVN-81, reducing technical and financial risk.

The Electronics Systems Procurement line includes acquisition and integration of advanced electronic warfare, communications, and information systems. Notable systems include the Consolidated Afloat Network and Enterprise Services, Ship Self Defense System, Cooperative Engagement Capability, and Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program Block 3. These systems are designed to enhance situational awareness, cyber resilience, and networked warfare capabilities, supporting both tactical and strategic operations. The electronics suite also features upgrades for air traffic control, navigation, and secure satellite communications, ensuring interoperability with current and future platforms.

The Ordnance and Combat Systems objective focuses on outfitting CVN-81 with state-of-the-art weapons and defensive systems. Key components include the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, Advanced Arresting Gear, Phalanx Close-In Weapon System, Rolling Airframe Missile, and the NATO SeaSparrow Missile System. These systems collectively provide robust offensive and defensive capabilities, enabling the carrier to launch and recover a wide range of manned and unmanned aircraft, defend against anti-ship missiles, and support joint strike operations. The integration of new ordnance technologies also allows for future upgrades and mission adaptability.

The Navigation and Aviation Support Systems procurement includes advanced radar and landing aids such as the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar, Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System, and the Satellite Signal Landing System. These systems are essential for safe and efficient flight operations, particularly in challenging weather and operational environments. The Unmanned Aviation Warfare Center is also a critical addition, providing infrastructure for the control and integration of unmanned aerial vehicles, which expands the carrier's operational reach and flexibility.

Each major system and subsystem within the CVN-81 program is justified by the need to maintain technological superiority, operational effectiveness, and lifecycle cost efficiency. The program leverages fixed-price incentive contracts, economic order quantity purchases, and configuration control to manage costs and ensure timely delivery. The procurement strategy also emphasizes interoperability, modularity, and future-proofing, enabling the Navy to respond to emerging threats and mission requirements over the carrier's lifespan.