Initial operational test and evaluation for the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) aircraft carrier is expected to stretch through fiscal year 2027, according to an annual report from the Pentagon’s chief weapons tester, which points to persistent reliability challenges for the vessel’s flight operations systems. Although the prior year’s report predicted IOT&E would conclude in the final quarter of FY-24, a fresh report, released Thursday by the director of operational test and evaluation, indicates that the testing period will extend through...
