The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced today that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) successfully conducted a pre-aim calibration fire (PACFIRE), testing its missile and close-in weapon systems (CIWS) as it transitions back to forward-deployed service in the Indo-Pacific. This critical testing of the carrier’s advanced defensive systems marks a key milestone in the warship’s preparation for full operational readiness, following years of overhaul and modernization.
The PACFIRE is a standard procedure used by the U.S. Navy to ensure the accuracy and responsiveness of a vessel’s defensive systems. It involves firing live ammunition from the ship’s weapons, ensuring all elements work together seamlessly in real-world scenarios. In the case of the USS George Washington, the PACFIRE exercise was aimed at validating the effectiveness of its sophisticated missile defense systems, including the NATO RIM-7 Sea Sparrow launchers, Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) systems, and Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS).
The USS George Washington, a symbol of American naval power and technological prowess, is equipped with a multi-layered defensive architecture designed to counter a wide range of threats, from aircraft to high-speed missiles.
- NATO RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Launchers: The carrier boasts two RIM-7 Sea Sparrow launchers, which provide an essential layer of defense against anti-ship missiles and hostile aircraft. The RIM-7, an agile and reliable missile system, has a range of over 10 miles and can track and engage multiple targets simultaneously, making it a vital asset in defending the carrier from aerial threats.
- Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Systems: In addition to the Sea Sparrow launchers, the carrier is outfitted with two RAM systems. Known for their high-speed response and effectiveness at close range, the RAM system can target and neutralize incoming missiles within seconds of detection, offering a crucial last line of defense.
- Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System): To complement the missile systems, the George Washington is equipped with three Phalanx CIWS. These are rapid-fire 20mm Gatling guns that serve as a last-ditch defense against incoming threats. Capable of firing up to 4,500 rounds per minute, the Phalanx CIWS provides a robust, automated response to enemy missiles or aircraft that penetrate other defensive layers.
This multi-layered defense approach is designed to create overlapping protective barriers that increase the carrier’s survivability in contested environments, where missile and aircraft threats are ever-present.
The USS George Washington’s current deployment and PACFIRE tests come at the culmination of a challenging but transformative period for the carrier. Built in the 1990s, the carrier is one of the U.S. Navy’s oldest active nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Between 2017 and 2023, the ship underwent a Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH), a comprehensive mid-life refit designed to extend the carrier’s service life and upgrade its capabilities for the 21st century.
The RCOH is a critical and routine part of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s life cycle. It involves refueling the ship’s nuclear reactors, performing extensive repairs, and modernizing the vessel with state-of-the-art technology. For the USS George Washington, this overhaul was essential not only to extend its operational lifespan by another 25 years but also to upgrade its systems to support modern warfare, including the integration of the F-35C Lightning II fighter jet.
Originally slated for completion in 2021, the RCOH faced delays due to a combination of supply chain issues and the global COVID-19 pandemic. These delays extended the carrier’s time in the shipyard to a total of six years, with the overhaul finally concluding in May 2023. The extended RCOH allowed the Navy to make additional improvements, ensuring that the carrier could continue to serve effectively in modern naval warfare environments.
After undergoing the RCOH, the USS George Washington emerged with several key enhancements:
- F-35C Lightning II Compatibility: The carrier is now capable of launching and recovering the F-35C, the U.S. Navy’s most advanced stealth fighter. The F-35C’s ability to evade radar and engage targets with precision makes it a critical component of U.S. naval air power.
- Enhanced Electronic Warfare Capabilities: The carrier’s radar and communications systems were upgraded to better detect, track, and engage emerging threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and hypersonic missiles.
- Improved Living Conditions: The RCOH also improved the quality of life for the crew, modernizing living quarters, recreational facilities, and onboard medical services, ensuring the crew’s morale and health during long deployments.
Following its return to service, the George Washington underwent a series of sea trials and pre-deployment certifications, ensuring that all systems, including navigation, communications, and weapons, functioned as expected under operational conditions.
In April 2024, the USS George Washington embarked on its first major post-RCOH deployment as part of the U.S. Navy’s Southern Seas 2024 exercise, a high-profile operation focused on fostering military cooperation between the United States and Latin American countries.
As part of this exercise, the carrier sailed through the waters of South America, conducting joint naval operations and exercises with several Latin American navies. The goal of Southern Seas 2024 was to strengthen partnerships, promote regional security, and enhance interoperability among allied forces. The exercise also allowed the USS George Washington to demonstrate its enhanced capabilities in various scenarios, ranging from humanitarian assistance to live-fire exercises with allied warships.
This deployment was particularly significant as it represented the carrier’s first major operational outing after the lengthy RCOH period. The Southern Seas exercise provided the crew and its air wing with the opportunity to re-establish proficiency in a variety of operational tasks while reinforcing U.S. commitment to the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere.
As the USS George Washington concluded its role in Southern Seas 2024, it began a pivotal transit toward the Indo-Pacific, where it is set to replace the USS Ronald Reagan as the forward-deployed carrier for the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet. This transition marks a critical strategic shift for U.S. naval operations in the Indo-Pacific, a region that has grown increasingly contentious due to geopolitical tensions involving China, North Korea, and other regional actors.
The 7th Fleet is one of the U.S. Navy’s most important commands, responsible for overseeing naval operations across a vast expanse of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, including the South China Sea, East China Sea, and the waters surrounding Japan and Korea. As the forward-deployed carrier, the USS George Washington will play a crucial role in deterring aggression, maintaining freedom of navigation, and ensuring regional stability.
This marks the second time that the USS George Washington has served in this capacity. From 2008 to 2015, the carrier was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, where it operated as the flagship of the 7th Fleet, conducting countless operations and missions to uphold U.S. interests in the region. Now, nearly a decade later, the George Washington will resume its role as a key player in one of the most strategically significant regions in the world.
As the USS George Washington transitions back to its forward-deployed role in the Indo-Pacific, the carrier and its crew face a rapidly evolving security environment. The Indo-Pacific has become a focal point for global competition, with China’s growing naval capabilities, North Korea’s missile tests, and tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea raising concerns for U.S. allies and partners.
The USS George Washington’s advanced capabilities, including its upgraded defensive systems and its ability to project air power with the F-35C, make it a potent tool in the U.S. Navy’s arsenal for responding to these challenges. Its presence in the region is not only a deterrent but also a symbol of the U.S. commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
