30 Jan 2026

The US Navy’s new Ford-class aircraft carrier, costing $13 billion, prioritises operational tempo over traditional firepower. With advanced systems like electromagnetic catapults and automated weapons elevators, it can generate 160 sorties per day, significantly outpacing previous carriers. This relentless operational capability, rather than its weaponry, poses a strategic challenge to adversaries, forcing them to operate under constant pressure and potentially leading to exhaustion and strategic failure.