The future USS John F. Kennedy, the second Ford-class aircraft carrier, has reintroduced dedicated radar illuminators to guide its defensive missiles. The Mk 95 illuminators, a Cold War-era feature absent from the lead ship Gerald R. Ford, are now visible on the carrier’s stern as it begins acceptance sea trials. The change addresses the removal of the Dual Band Radar, which proved too complex and unreliable for the Ford class.
Ford-class carriers now rely on the AN/SPY-6(V)3 radar and Mk 95 illuminators to support the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM). Block 1 ESSMs require illumination for guidance, while newer Block 2 variants can operate in active mode, reducing dependence on illuminators. The Pentagon’s 2025 report confirms upgrades to the carrier’s defensive suite, including new RAM missile variants and plans to modify launchers for Block 2 ESSMs.
John F. Kennedy’s return to illuminators marks a shift back toward proven Nimitz-class systems, though the Navy continues refining its radar and missile integration for future Ford-class ships.
