
The Navy plans to study the configuration of the future Ford-class aircraft carrier CVN-82 in 2022 as part of an overall analysis of the future carrier force. The delayed 30-year shipbuilding plan, released last week, outlined a aircraft carrier force of 11 aircraft carrier by 2045 with the option of potentially adding up to 6 light carriers as well (Defense Daily, Dec. 10). This was a reflection of former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper’s study directing a new look at…