Photo: The most expensive weapon ever created: Supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford

Supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford, currently under construction for the U.S. Navy, is set to become the most expensive weapon ever created. The cost of this baby is a cool $11.5 billion, $1.1 billion over budget (but when has a military contract ever come in under budget?). The ship is currently being assembled in Newport News, Virginia.

 What's so special about this new ship? Here are a few of its features according to Business Insider:

• Stealth features to help reduce radar profile. 

• The updated RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow missile system. Advanced arresting gear used to grab planes as they land on the deck. 

• Automation, which reduces crew requirements by several hundred from the Nimitz class carrier. 

• An electromagnetic aircraft launch system in place of traditional steam catapults for launching aircraft 

• A new more powerful nuclear reactor design. 

•The ability to launch the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and the F-35C Lightning II. 

Sounds like one hell of a deal to me.

Credit: U.S. Navy

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• USS GERALD R. FORD: A Close Look At The Single Most Expensive Piece Of Military Hardware Ever (businessinsider.com)
• Cost Overruns On USS Gerald Ford Could Top $1 Billion (outsidethebeltway.com)