The National Interest:
The Navy will be stepping-up efforts to integrate and prepare weapons systems for its advanced Ford aircraft carrier during a now-underway 12-month deployment preparation period called Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA)—one of several key final steps designed to prepare the ship for ocean warfare.
While the Ford’s electromagnetic catapult, larger deck space and nuclear power technology are heavily emphasized in public discussion of the ship’s newer technologies, layered ship defenses, are commanding commensurate developmental attention – given the global threat environment.
This includes efforts to build in the latest interceptor missiles and close-range guns, such as the Evolved Sea Sparrow Block 2 (ESSM) and the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS).
Therefore, alongside the more emphasized items for the PSA, such as the advanced weapons elevator and advanced arresting gear upgrades, preparing ship defenses for deployment will also function as an indispensable element of the Navy’s strategy for the Ford-class.
