USS Gerald R Ford creates rare two-carrier presence in Middle East

The Pentagon is spreading USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East, creating a rare presence of two aircraft carriers in the region as tensions rise with Iran and questions grow about possible US military action.

Ford will boost The USS Abraham Lincoln is already operational in theater, greatly expanding U.S. air power at a time of increasing regional uncertainty.

While officials have not announced an imminent action, the presence of dual carriers is increasing PentagonUS flexibility – from deterrence patrols to sustained offensive operations – when diplomacy falters.

The largest aircraft carrier in the world

The Gerald R. Ford is the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier ever built.

Commissioned in 2017, the nuclear-powered warship extends more than 1,100 feet and displaces more than 100,000 tons of water. It serves as a floating air base that can operate in international waters without relying on host nation approval – a key advantage in politically sensitive theaters.

Powered by two nuclear reactors, the ship has nearly unlimited range and endurance, and is designed to serve as the backbone of America’s naval power projection for decades.

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, sails alongside oiler Laramie. (U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 6th Fleet/Handout via Reuters)

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How much air power does it carry?

A typical Ford air wing includes approximately 75 aircraft, although the exact mix depends on mission requirements.

These aircraft could include F/A-18 Super Hornets, F-35C Joint Strike stealth fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye early warning aircraft, and MH-60 helicopters.

In any potential conflict with Iran, many of these platforms would be central.

The F-35C is designed to penetrate contested airspace and conduct precision strikes against heavily defended targets. Growler aircraft specialize in jamming enemy radar and communications, a critical capability against Iran’s multi-layered air defense systems.

The E-2D surveillance system extends hundreds of miles, helping coordinate air and missile defense.

Together, they provide commanders with options ranging from deterrence patrols to sustained strike operations.

An F-18E fighter jet takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford as it sails during NATO’s Neptune Strike 2025 exercise Sept. 24, 2025, in the North Sea. (Jonathan Klein/AFP via Getty Images)

Designed for a higher combat tempo

What separates Ford from previous aircraft carriers is its ability to generate more sorties over time.

Instead of traditional steam catapults, they are used Electromagnetic aircraft launch systemor EMALS, allowing aircraft to launch more smoothly and at a faster pace. The system is designed to reduce stress on aircraft and increase operating frequency.

The ship also features advanced arrest equipment and a redesigned flight deck that allows more aircraft to be staged and rotated efficiently.

In high-intensity scenarios – especially those involving missile launches or rapid escalation – the ability to launch and recover aircraft quickly can be crucial.

How does it compare to Lincoln?

While both the Ford and Abraham Lincoln are 100,000-ton, nuclear-powered supercarriers capable of carrying approximately 60 to 75 aircraft, they represent different generations of naval design.

Lincoln is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that was commissioned in 1989 and is part of a fleet that has supported decades of operations in the Middle East. Ford is the Navy’s next generation carrier and the leading ship in its class.

The main differences are efficiency and production.

The Ford was designed to generate a higher sustained sortie rate using an electromagnetic launch system, along with a redesigned flight deck and improved power systems. Operationally, both ships have significant strike capabilities – but the Ford is designed to launch and recover aircraft faster during extended operations, giving commanders greater flexibility if tensions rise.

USS Gerald R. Ford pictured in the Mediterranean. (U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 6th Fleet/Handout via Reuters)

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How to defend himself

Ford doesn’t sail alone. It serves as the hub of a strike group that typically includes guided missile destroyers, cruisers and attack submarines.

These escort ships provide layered air and missile defense, anti-submarine protection and additional strike capability.

The carrier itself carries defensive systems including Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles, Rolling Airframe missiles and the Phalanx Close-In weapons system – designed to intercept incoming threats at close range.

This defensive stance is of particular importance in the Middle East.

Iran has invested heavily in anti-ship ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, armed drones, sea mines, and fast attack ships operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Gulf region represents a dense and complex threat environment, even for advanced U.S. warships.

The world’s largest warship, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is on its way out of the Oslof Fjord in Nysodden and Bygdøy, Norway, September 17, 2025. (NTB/Lise Aserud via Reuters)

Why do two carriers matter?

with Both Ford and Lincoln In theater, commanders gain more than just additional firepower. The two carriers allow the United States to maintain a higher tempo of operations, distribute aircraft across multiple regions or maintain a continuous presence if a single ship needs to be repositioned or resupplyed.

Deployments on dual aircraft carriers are relatively uncommon and typically coincide with periods of heightened regional tension.

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The timing – with negotiations continuing with Tehran – underscores the strategic message. Aircraft carriers are often deployed not only to fight wars, but also to prevent them.

By placing the two ships in the region, Washington is signaling that if diplomatic efforts falter, military options already exist.