This package contains static, landable objects for the Ford class ships and is primarily meant as companion of IndiaFoxtEcho F-35C and T-45C aircrafts for carrier recovery and launch operation..
The Gerald R. Ford class is a class of nuclear powered aircraft carriers currently being constructed for the United States Navy.
The class, with a planned total of ten ships, will replace the Navy's current carriers on a one-for-one basis, starting with the lead ship, Gerald R. Ford replacing Enterprise (CVN-65), and then eventually taking the place of the existing Nimitz-class carriers.
The new vessels have a hull similar to the Nimitz class, but introduce technologies since developed with the CVN(X)/CVN-21 program, such as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), as well as other design features intended to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs, including sailing with smaller crews.
This class of aircraft carriers is named after former US President Gerald R. Ford.
The biggest visible difference from earlier supercarriers is the more aft location of the island (superstructure). The Gerald R. Ford-class carriers will have a reduced whole-life cost due in part to reduced crew size.
These ships are intended to sustain 160 sorties per day for 30-plus days, with a surge capability of 270 sorties per day.
IMPORTANT!
This package only contains only static landable objects.
Crash must be disabled to avoid potential collision detection issues. Landmarks point are provided, but there are no Navaids associated.
Flights cannot be started directly from the ships.
Due to the high detail, there may be a slight stuttering once the ship loads (approximately 10km from the ship).
AIRCRAFT LAUNCH AND RECOVERY FUNCTIONS MUST BE IMPLEMENTED AT AIRCRAFT LEVEL.
CARRIER IS COMPATIBLE WITH INDIAFOXTECHO T-45C GOSHAWK AND F-35C LIGHTNING II.
PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES AN USS NIMITZ AND USS EISENHOWER MODELS AS BONUS
Initial release contains:
USS Gerald R. Ford CVN-78
Near NAS Key West, Florida US
Near Kingsville, Texas, US (T-45C Goshawk Carrier Qualification Configuration)
Near Los Angeles, California, US
Near Honolulu, Hawaii, US
USS John F. Kennedy CVN-79
Off the coast of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, US
I purchased the Ford-Class Carriers along with the T-45 Goshawk to begin doing carrier ops again. I used to with AI Carriers in P3Dv4w with all of Dino's aircraft, so I was very excited to do it again in MSFS. I made sure to read the supplied documentation for both addons prior to performing my first landing. The first landing was a bit too fast, and when I came to a stop the carrier sling-shot me off the side. I had collisions disabled, so I slewed behind the carrier to try again. This time, a bit slower, I approached again and landed better this time. Once again, I came to a stop, and the carrier sling-shot me off the side again. I performed 10 landings, and 8 of 10 times the carrier would sling-shot me off the side. Also, the way the T-45 launches from the carrier is not realistic at all. You're not 'locked' into the catapult. The thrust almost jerks you sideways before you leave the carrier, so it takes a lot of rudder control. The carrier looks great, but I think there's something wrong with either the programming of the carrier or the aircraft. It's just not fun, so I don't think I'll be using this addon again. I had really high hopes to get the same feeling as I did with the old AI Carriers app. At least back then I could 'spawn' carrier group wherever I wanted, and the launch and arresting worked well. I may uninstall this and try 'Functional Aircraft Carriers' instead. That one seemed to get better reviews and works for all aircraft instead of just the T-45 and F-35. I may change my review in the future if this addon is improved by the developer.
Excellent in terms of graphics, a pity that only for landings and from the navigation menu of the game it is seen only as a point of interest and cannot be set in the flight plan as landing.