WASHINGTON, July 21 (Xinhua) -- USS Gerald R. Ford, the newest and what's dubbed the most advanced aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy, is set to go into active duty on Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump will preside over its commissioning at Pier 11 on Naval Station Norfolk in the state of Virginia, months after he boarded the ship to speak on his plan for the U.S. military.
The 13-billion-U.S.-dollar ship, named after former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, was delivered to the Navy in late May, after eight years of construction, development, and testing.
Incorporating the U.S. navy's first new aircraft carrier design in 40 years, the 1,100-foot nuclear-powered supercarrier used advanced technology and operational systems to allow aircraft to take off and land more quickly, but with a smaller crew.
Its electromagnetic catapults are able to launch a third more fighter jets than traditional systems in older carriers, while releasing less heat and being less noisy.
Besides, the 100,000-ton warship has a larger deck to improve aircraft maneuverability and a repositioned tower for better visibility.
There will be a crew of 2,600 sailors on aboard the USS Ford, about 600 fewer than a Nimitz-class flattop, according to the U.S. Navy.
The USS Ford, the most expensive U.S. military vessel originally scheduled for delivery in 2015, has caused concerns about its technology.
Trump urged earlier the Navy to go back to using steam catapults to launch aircraft because the electromagnetic systems "cost hundreds of millions of dollars more" and "it's no good."
Senator John McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, once lashed out at the delayed delivery, saying it was unacceptable and entirely avoidable.
There are 10 U.S. carriers being operated in the 11 carrier-force mandated by Congress, after the retirement of the USS Enterprise in 2012.
In addition to the USS Ford, there are two other aircraft carriers of its class. The USS John F. Kennedy is scheduled to launch in 2020, while the Ford-class USS Enterprise is scheduled to begin construction in 2018.
The USS Ford will go through a series of tests before becoming operational in the next few years.
