Inside The World's Largest Aircraft Carrier

As the world’s largest aircraft carrier in the world’s dominant navy, the USS Gerald R. Ford is gargantuan. The aircraft carrier took eight years to build, several more years to test, and is large enough to tower over the biggest building in plenty of large towns.

Named for the 38th President of the United States, the Gerald Ford is the lead ship of the US navy. It clocks in at over 1,000ft or nearly three American football fields in length, and nearly 250 feet high. Contained in that massive space, the aircraft carrier also has a whopping 25 decks.

The massive ship, which can house over 4,500 people and carry over 75 aircraft, is powered by two nuclear reactors, and fully-loaded, weighs in at over 100,000 tonnes. That makes her the largest warship ever constructed. The total building cost is estimated at over 17 billion dollars, including 5 billion spent on research alone. After several delays it came in at 22% over the intended budget.

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Imagery supplied via Getty Images

Inside The World's Largest Aircraft Carrier

[bigwinona]

For a country that spends over 800 billion on the military every year its crazy to think that this masterpiece is barely a piece of the budget.

[habbyhouse]

7 min video full of information, no repetitions. Take my like and gratitude. I hope you will keep uploading content like this.

[FranklinBallowe]

I had the honor of serving my country as a Civilian 1st Class Structural Welder (X18) in the construction of this Modern Marvel. My Blood, Sweat & Tears are in thousands of welds, all over this Aircraft Carrier! I have many permanent scars and burns from welding this ship, I would never change it for the world!!!! Proud to be a part of such a monumental project!!!! I got to see the Island house set before my Contract ended. Very Blessed to have the opportunities I have had in my 25 year professional welding career. 1st Class Structural Civilian Welder, Newport News Ship Building 2010 - 2011.

[chahahc]

Dang only 22% over budget? I'm unironically impressed.

[londonisboss]

I would totally recommend taking a tour of one of these things. I went on the USS Midway in San Diego and it was so unbelievably huge, the interior felt like a maze

[mathewoconnor]

For the viewers outside the US, Myanmar and Liberia, 1000 feet is 304.8m

[richardbrathwaite]

I would sure love to tour an Aircraft carrier, an airport at sea, is the most fascinating thing ever

[Jurassic]

Magnificent - I can't get over how fast it travels and how quickly it turns.

[bradlavassaur]

When I was 7 years of age, I had the honor to board the U.S.S. Enterprise CVN-65. I have also taken a cruise on a cruise ship weighing in at 110, 000 tons, 10, 000 tones larger than the Ford class. There were 3500 passengers, and crew on board. My point, though there were that many on board, it didn't seem crowded, because everyone was spread out on more than 25 decks. So, I would imagine with some 5000, or more, stationed aboard the Ford class would feel about the same. So, yes I would be honored board her. Great video! Thank you for sharing. 😊👍👍

[Tomrider]

Wow, this is really something else! It's like letting your imagination run wild and having someone from the ship say, "Yep, we've got that!"

[matthewjocoy]

Would love to see a 2hr documentary about this!

[amiganutt]

Todays crews have it easy. My Carrier life was much different than today. Both carriers I was stationed on are both gone. I still miss my time on them and would like to take a Tiger Cruise on the Gerald Ford. I’m 84.

[TIMCOWBOY]

Great 👍 video! To all the US Navy Veterans out there thank you for your service 🙏🇺🇸

[tspencer]

Wow, there are SO many things you got wrong in this video. Also, love the mix of shots from other carriers that weren't the Ford as well. So, here's a quick list of clarifications, from a former carrier sailor:

1. There are NOT 25 decks.

2. Weapons are stored in magazines below decks, NOT in the hangar bay.

3. Sea Sparrows are missiles, not the CIWS guns that were shown.

4. The reactors aren't controlled from the bridge, but from further down.

5. That physical steering wheel is the primary controlling station. Backups are below deck and locally at each steering gear engine.

6. The navy doesn't let ships drive themselves (especially after the 7th fleet collisions) and the touchscreens are for reference only. NOT autopilot.

7. The crew of the first ship of any class is learning how to operate the ship- that's nothing new.

8. Ships have had designated berthing (sleeping/ resting areas) for a very long time.

9. The boxing ring isn't a full-time amenity, but is set up occasionally by the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation department (MWR). The picture shown is at a gym on a shore base.

10. There's not a dedicated chapel- that's the ship's fo'c'sl, where religious ceremonies have been held on carriers for decades.

11. A basketball court is set up from time to time, like the boxing ring, and isn't a permanent thing. Plus, you REALLY don't want to play basketball or any other contact sport on the nonskid that the hangar and flight decks are covered with.

12. That "posh conference room" is the Captain's cabin, the exception, NOT the norm.

13. The crew spends long periods of time at sea getting ready for deployment as it is- we call that "work ups."

[joncsoriano]

almost 11 yrs of Sea Time.. living aboard a carrier.. fun times.. some not as fun.. great pleasure to have served though

[raymondsalazar]

I love this carrier so much and I’m so glad I bought it. I wasn’t too sure after reading the reviews but I’m so glad I got it. After wearing it a few times I am very pleased with how comfortable it is! It felt a little bulky at first but I tightened the strap across my shoulder blades as tight as it will go and now it’s very comfy. The straps are very padded and baby loves it and is comfy as well!!

[FarhanSwaggy]

The pilots who has to land and took off of a moving object are the next level of human beings

[davidhackett]

I am a plankowner on USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72. Best memories were getting hammered then going to sea and anchor at 0400.

[rickallison]

I would definitely spend time on an aircraft carrier, including the USS Ford at sea during full operations. I grew up on US Air Force bases and later served as an airman in a combat zone, too. Carrier operations fascinate me, because they do everything at sea that I saw for decades on land, as I was an Air Force brat, too.

[cesargodoy]

Not only the existence and presence of 100, 000 tons of american technology and science; but also the love and pride, of their people, Navy and not Navy...!!! It's just great...!!!