The ability of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to deliver hundreds of missiles using aircraft, ships and submarines makes it a lethal combat force capable of overwhelming and defeating adversaries in a potential conflict.

The Ford CSG began its first global deployment in early May. It was spotted in June passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and entering the Mediterranean.

The carrier group provides an inherently flexible naval force capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emerging missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies, enhance security and guarantee the free flow of commerce.

It is comprised of its flagship and namesake, the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2) and assigned destroyers, and USS Normandy (CG-60).

USS Normandy is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser.

Meanwhile, DESRON 2 comprises Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).

The CSG Ford also likely has a Virginia-class submarine operating in its vicinity.

Virginia-class boats are equipped with four 21-inch (53.3cm) diameter torpedo tubes and can carry a total of about 25 torpedoes in their torpedo tubes and internal magazines.

The submarines are also equipped with 12 Mk41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) tubes in their bows for carrying and launching Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Mk41 VLS is also installed aboard US Navy surface combatants including Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers.

It is capable of launching multiple Standard Missile variants and Tomahawks, Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rockets (ASROCs) and evolved Sea Sparrow missiles (ESSMs).

The Mk41 VLS's ability to simultaneously prepare two missiles in each eight-cell launcher module allows for fast reaction to multiple threats with concentrated, continuous firepower.

Armed with naval guns and anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine missiles, plus other weapons, the combatant ships of the Ford CSG retain hundreds of missiles able to defeat all types of air, land and subsurface threats.

Most advanced aircraft carrier

USS Ford is the US Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier.

The carrier has the ability to carry up to 90 aircraft, 15 more than the Nimitz class.

The aircraft package includes up to 48 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as well as other aircraft such as the EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack Aircraft, C-2 Greyhound, E-2D Hawkeye, F-35C Lightning II, SH-60 Seahawk helicopters and unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

The first-in-class ship of Ford-class aircraft carriers, CVN 78 introduces 23 new technologies, including the electromagnetic aircraft launch system, advanced arresting gear and advanced weapons elevators.

The new systems incorporated onto Ford-class ships are designed to generate a higher sortie rate with a 20% smaller crew than a Nimitz-class carrier has, paving the way forward for naval aviation.

The Ford-class carrier will be armed with the RIM-162 ESSM, a medium-range, surface-to-air interceptor that defends against high-speed, highly maneuverable anti-ship missiles.

The ESSM also defends against low-velocity air threats, such as drones and helicopters, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies' Missile Defense Project.