Future of the Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier Program

Abstract

Difficulties managing cost growth, schedule overruns, and performance issues in the Ford-class aircraft carrier program are a critical oversight topic and a key problem area in planning for the Navy’s future. While the Navy is conducting research and focusing efforts on managing cost growth in production, further research is needed into the program management structure and utilization of current acquisition policy and guidance to assess possible courses of action. A case study analysis of the Ford-class program—contextualized by a review of current literature to include acquisition policy—identified the various constraints, priorities, and impacts of acquisition strategy decisions to provide insight into future courses of action and objectives required for program success. The program has seen poor outcomes, primarily due to external pressure and an inability to mitigate constraints despite conducting detailed planning for tailored acquisition strategies. Changes are recommended to the current utilization of the Major Capability Acquisition pathway and organization of program offices and support staff to provide a clearly structured framework that mitigates constraints on the design and build process of Ford-class aircraft carriers.