US Navy deploys powerful aircraft carrier to the Caribbean.

The USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, described by the US Navy as the most capable combat platform globally, is being deployed to the Caribbean as part of increased military pressure on Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking.

The Ford, commissioned in 2017, is the largest US warship ever, with a displacement exceeding 100,000 tons and a length of 1,100 feet (334 meters). It is the first of its class, succeeding the Navy's 10 Nimitz-class carriers, with the oldest Nimitz carrier set for retirement next year.

With a crew of nearly 4,600, including its air wing, the Ford operates with about 20% fewer personnel than the Nimitz class, thanks to more efficient systems. The carrier's advanced features stem from its two classified nuclear reactors, producing three times more electrical power than Nimitz-class ships, enabling enhanced capabilities like the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS).

The Ford's EMALS allows for faster and heavier aircraft launches, increasing the range and lethality of its fighter jets. Its 11 Advanced Weapons Elevators and Advanced Arresting Gear system further enhance munitions movement and aircraft landing efficiency.

The carrier's flight deck is wider than the Nimitz class, with a smaller and more rear-set "island" for improved aircraft handling. The Ford primarily carries F/A-18 fighter jets capable of carrying various missiles and bombs, with a combat range of 1,250 miles (2,011 kilometers).

Additionally, the Ford accommodates electronic-jamming aircraft, early warning planes, cargo/passenger aircraft, and helicopters. However, it does not support the Navy's latest F-35C stealth fighter jet due to pending modifications required for future maintenance.

Despite being commissioned in 2017, the Ford faced deployment delays until 2022 due to system challenges. Its first combat deployment in 2023 included an eight-month cruise in the eastern Mediterranean following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.