Launch of the USS Gerald Ford, CVN 78 (Carrier Vessel Nuclear), the first of the Ford class. Part of the CVN 21 class, it will serve the entire 21st century, with innovations such as the electromagnetic catapult (essentially a long linear motor) that saves enormous amounts of electricity and drinking water (24 cubic meters) with each launch, as well as significantly reducing mechanical stress on the aircraft and thus maintenance hours. The next ships to be launched will be the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and the USS Enterprise (CVN 80).
