These now underway modifications which navy developers specify do not
include changes to the F-35c or stingray themselves, are in part intended to step up aircraft carrier
attack abilities on the open sea, made manifest by the navy's recent cost saving 2 carrier buy.
All of this is enabled by a two carrier navy buy of its next two ford class carriers. instead of stove piping or separating purchases for its next two carriers. The navy has awarded a
contract to huntington ingalls industries to build both the future uss enterprise, CVN-80 and the as of yet unnamed fourth ford class carrier CVN-81. Alongside the
intended cost saving of more than four billion dollars associated with the block buy, the navy
is also streamlining weapons and war technology development regarding how a carrier hosts its F-35c, MK-38 gun system and MQ-25 stingray drones.
These modifications to the carriers themselves, described as lethality enhancing measures appear to be a part of the navy's broader strategy to
massively increase offensive and defensive war systems for its ford class carriers. So far some of these measures include the planned edition of now in development torpedo
defense systems, interceptor missiles and the introduction of greatly impactful platforms
such as the F-35c and MQ-25 Stingray.
Part of these modifications include the introduction
of digital shipbuilding techniques as well. Integrated digital shipbuilding is key to
achieving the production efficiencies of the 2CVN buy. The navy and the shipbuilder are investing in
ids which will reduce the amount of production effort required to build ford class carriers.
Streamlining the integration of these platforms as stated by the navy could bring a range of
substantial enhancements and align with the navy strategy to better prepare its carriers for war. The F-35c naturally will bring a new array of attack options for the carrier air wing, not
to mention an unprecedented measure of aerial intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance.
Drawing upon new sensor and targeting technology the aerial attack range will be significantly
changed and stealth technology will enable air attack to operate in higher threat environments, such as areas containing advanced air defenses. The arrival of the F-35c is by all estimations
expected to change the paradigm for carrier air attack.
These enhancements are intended to work alongside and benefit from the emergence of a first of its
kind drone refueler which brings the promise of potentially doubling the attack radius for
carrier-launched fighters. An ability to refuel while in flight massively extends
a carrier's attempt to further project power, while remaining at safer standoff distances. If the combat radius of an F-18 or F-35 on one fuel tank reaches 300 to 400
miles or so, the aircraft will have to turn around at a certain distance from its carrier.
However if an attack platform can double that range, it can naturally travel much farther
enabling much more dwell time when it comes to attacks and provide the option to strike targets
farther inland or from greater distances. With a clear intent to enhance the navy's carrier-based
forward attack presence worldwide, shipbuilder huntington ingalls released a statement that
the two carrier buy as instrumental toward actualizing the navy's planned fleet expansion. Streamlined acquisition h.i.i says can bring the navy closer to a path toward a 12-carrier fleet.
Therefore it goes without saying that streamlining the acquisition and integration of these systems
aligns with an aggressive navy push to make carriers more combat capable. This strategy appears to have a few possible dimensions. While carriers typically operate in carrier strike groups surrounded by cruisers, destroyers and other warships able to provide protection, a fast-changing threat environment
is expected to create the need for more dispersed or disaggregated operations.
In short
carriers will need greater attack and defensive technology themselves. For this reason the service
is not only looking to streamline and accelerate the arrival of the F-35c and drone tanker, but also
bring new weapons such as lasers, guns, electronic warfare and new interceptor defense systems.
