Four upgrades could decide whether America's carriers keep their edge over China
USS Abraham Lincoln Returns to San Diego After Successful Gulf Deployment, While Other Carriers Continue Operations
The United States Navy’s largest carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, is steaming toward its home port of San Diego after a 12‑month deployment in the North Arabian Gulf. The 5,000‑person crew is expected to receive a welcome home ceremony upon arrival. Meanwhile, the USS George H. W. Bush and USS George Washington remain on station in the Gulf, carrying out strikes against Iranian‑aligned targets and maintaining a naval blockade of the region.
During the Lincoln’s deployment, the carrier’s air wing claimed the destruction of more than 200 Iranian drones that were threatening commercial shipping lanes. In addition, Iranian forces attempted to target the ship itself, but the carrier’s defenses held firm. “Since we’ve gotten here, and during Operation Epic Fury, the Iranians were looking for opportunities to attack this ship,” said Captain Daniel J. Keeler, commander of the Lincoln, in a July interview with CNN. “We’re very well‑defended,” Keeler added. He noted that Iranian shots “don’t get close,” and that a carrier‑based F‑35C shot down a drone near the ship in February.
The Gulf operation has also highlighted the need for modernizing carrier aviation. The Navy is set to add the MQ‑25 Stingray, a carrier‑based refueling and reconnaissance drone that can operate from up to 1,000 miles away and stay aloft for hours. Smaller collaborative‑combat drones with weapons and electronic warfare capabilities are also slated for future integration.
Electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) have become a focal point of the upgrade debate. The USS Gerald R. Ford has demonstrated the system’s effectiveness, completing 12,200 launches during a 326‑day deployment and generating 25 % more sorties than the older steam‑powered catapults. A White House memorandum dated August 13 tasked the Navy with evaluating options to revert to steam systems. Senator Roger Wicker, chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on August 18 that “there’s overwhelming support in Congress and in the Pentagon for moving forward with EMALS.” He warned that reverting to steam would slow shipyards and jeopardize the U.S. carrier fleet’s readiness for a potential conflict with China.
The Navy is also upgrading its weapons elevators. New models built in Cincinnati can lift 24,000 pounds—twice the weight of the older 12,000‑pound units—and move 50 % faster. This upgrade is timely, as the Navy’s latest long‑range air‑to‑air missile, the Malice, weighs 1,500 pounds. Faster elevators will help crews rearm aircraft more efficiently during high‑tempo operations.
In parallel with these hardware upgrades, the Navy is advancing its fifth‑generation carrier‑based fighter program, the F/A‑XX. Both Boeing and Northrop Grumman are developing demonstrator aircraft, while the current F/A‑18EF Super Hornet production is winding down. The program’s rapid development is prompted by the fact that China has already flown two sixth‑generation prototypes, one of which is intended for the navy. Congress has instructed the Pentagon to select a winner and move forward with production.
The strategic context underscores the urgency of these upgrades. China currently operates three aircraft carriers and expects to field nine by 2035. In contrast, the U.S. Navy has a fleet of 11 carriers, but the pace of new construction and modernization will determine whether the United States maintains a decisive advantage in the region.
As the Abraham Lincoln heads home, the fleet remains on high alert. While the carrier’s crew prepares to return to San Diego, the other ships in the Gulf will continue to project power, ensuring that the U.S. maintains a strong presence amid rising tensions with Iran and China. The Navy’s ongoing modernization efforts aim to keep carrier operations at the cutting edge, enabling the United States to respond swiftly and effectively to any emerging threats.