The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) Carrier Strike Group is one of the most advanced parts of the US Navy, combining modern surface ships with the carrier’s aircraft, submarines, and support ships.

Designed as a fully integrated unit, the strike group can execute missions ranging from power projection and maritime security to humanitarian assistance and deterrence.

During its 2025 deployment to the US 6th Fleet area of operations, CSG Ford deployed with five Arleigh Burke–class destroyers for the first time: USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), USS Mitscher (DDG-57), USS Mahan (DDG-72), USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98).

This expansion underscores the Navy’s commitment to layered defense and operational flexibility.

Capabilities of surface ships

Surface ships form the backbone of the strike group’s offensive and defensive power.

Guided-missile cruisers (CGs), destroyers (DDGs), and other support vessels are equipped with advanced sensors, communications systems, and weapons.

Cruisers provide multi-mission capabilities including air defense, ballistic missile defense, and surface warfare.

They create a protective shield around the carrier, safeguarding the group from aerial, surface, and subsurface threats.

These destroyers bring more than 450 Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells to the strike group.

The Mk 41 features a "Hot Launch" design, igniting missiles within the launch tube to allow rapid, sustained fires.

It supports the Standard Missile family – SM-2 for fleet air defense, SM-3 for ballistic missile defense, and SM-6 for versatile engagements against cruise missiles, aerial threats, and surface targets.

The Mk 41 also fires the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), capable of countering high-speed anti-ship cruise missiles and low-altitude air threats.

Its "quad-pack" capability significantly increases the destroyer's firepower.

For short-range defense, the system launches Rolling Air Frame Missiles to destroy fast-moving anti-ship missiles.

The VLS also enables precision strike missions with Tomahawk cruise missiles and carries the RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC to counter submarine threats at standoff ranges.

Countering emerging threats

CSG Ford destroyers are now equipped with Coyote and Roadrunner-M counter-drone systems to address unmanned aerial threats.

The Coyote is an expendable loitering munition designed to intercept drones, while the reusable, jet-powered Roadrunner-M provides rapid-response interception.

These systems allow the strike group to conserve high-value missiles for larger threats while defending against smaller, unmanned systems.

The integration of these advanced platforms demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to layered defense.

It also ensures that CSG Ford remains capable of countering a wide spectrum of threats -- from airborne drones to submarines -- while maintaining global maritime superiority.