American analyst Brandon Weichert, in an article for the American magazine 'The National Interest', stated that the arrival of the US aircraft carrier (USS Gerald R. Ford) near the coast of Venezuela indicates a significant escalation in military and political pressure on the government of President Nicolas Maduro. This reflects Washington's readiness to show overwhelming force that could pave the way for a military operation or a wide naval blockade, especially as one of the world's most powerful aircraft carriers enters the theater of tension in the Caribbean. Weichert, who regularly provides consultations to government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues, added that in a firefight with Venezuela, the aircraft carrier 'Ford' would not be just another carrier, but represents a massive force multiplier that significantly enhances the capabilities of the US Navy operating off the coast of this Latin American socialist country. He considered that the administration of US President Donald Trump sent the carrier as a message of strength and to ensure maximum success if the White House decides to carry out the proposed attack on Venezuela. However, Weichert pointed out that it should be noted that among the 23 new technologies that the US Department of Defense insisted on integrating into the 'Ford' all at once, including the critically important Electromagnetic Launch System (EMALS) and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), most of them suffered performance problems. At the same time, sources in the 'Pentagon' confirmed that the Americans managed to operate the EMALS system, but according to several defense publications, despite improvements to the system since its initial installation, it is not fully reliable according to the strict standards of the US Navy. Weichert added that, nevertheless, the 'Ford' conducted full flight operations using the EMALS system in operational conditions, such as conducting continuous flight operations in areas such as the North and Mediterranean Seas. Furthermore, in 2022, the EMALS system, along with the AAG, set records for the number of takeoffs and landings on the ship, which indicates the widespread use and excellent adaptation to the technology by the ship's crew in real-world conditions. Weichert also indicated that, however, the 'Ford' has not actually been tested in a combat situation of the type it would lead if the Trump administration decides to attack Nicolas Maduro's system in Venezuela. He explained that the design of the EMALS system is intended to allow the carrier to carry out about 25% more flights per day compared to a 'Nimitz'-class carrier with a smaller crew. This means in practice more strike packages, a significant increase in combat air patrols, and a greater presence of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, or electronic warfare in the air at any time. According to the American analyst, compared to other ships involved in the current US deployment in the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela, the 'Ford' offers a much greater offensive capability, unless the Venezuelans can manage to score one or two 'lucky' hits on the ship with their anti-ship missiles. Weichter explained that in the traditional sense, the Venezuelan Air Force and its air defense network are limited in size and modernization compared to the Americans, and the presence of a carrier strike group led by the 'Ford' should give the Americans a decisive advantage. The 'Ford' carrier can deploy continuous combat air patrols over the Caribbean and near Venezuelan airspace using F/A-18 'Super Hornets' supported by E-2D 'Hawkeye' aircraft. It can also deploy EA-18G 'Growlers' and precision-guided munitions to strike Venezuelan radar systems, surface-to-air missile sites, and command and control centers.
