tech
March 31, 2026
Most advanced US aircraft carrier likely out of commission for a year: What’s wrong with it?
The nuclear-powered USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is reportedly slated for lengthy repairs after a crippling “laundry fire”

TL;DR
- The USS Gerald R. Ford is in Split, Croatia, for repairs estimated to take 12-14 months after a laundry fire.
- The fire, which originated in the ship's main laundry spaces, caused over 600 sailors to lose their bunks.
- A Pentagon assessment noted insufficient data on the Ford class's operational suitability and concerns about the reliability of key systems.
- The carrier has a history of technical issues, including a persistent faulty toilet system (VCHT) that requires extensive maintenance and incurs significant costs.
- The prolonged absence of the Ford will likely increase the operational burden on other US carriers and could affect the decommissioning schedule of older Nimitz-class ships.
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