In a shocking revelation, the U.S. Navy’s flagship USS Gerald R. Ford, the most advanced aircraft carrier ever built, faces a grave threat from China’s rapidly advancing hypersonic missile technology. Analysts warn that Beijing’s arsenal, capable of striking with unprecedented speed and precision, could obliterate American carriers in mere minutes, fundamentally shifting the balance of naval power.

The Ford, a $13 billion marvel of engineering, was designed to project U.S. dominance on the seas. However, a December 2024 Pentagon report reveals that China now possesses the world’s leading hypersonic missile capabilities. Experts predict that in the event of a conflict over Taiwan—expected by 2027—China’s hypersonic missiles could decimate all ten U.S. aircraft carriers within the first 20 minutes of combat.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hexith has underscored the urgency of this threat, stating, “China is building an army specifically designed to destroy the U.S.” With hypersonic missiles like the Dongfang 17, which can achieve speeds up to Mach 10 and maneuver unpredictably, the U.S. Navy is racing against time to develop effective countermeasures.

While the Ford is equipped with emerging technologies, including potential laser weapons, the Navy is still years away from deploying a reliable system capable of intercepting hypersonic threats. Current laser systems lack the necessary power to neutralize these missiles effectively, raising alarms about the Navy’s preparedness.

As tensions escalate in the Pacific, the stakes have never been higher. The U.S. must urgently accelerate its defense capabilities to avoid a catastrophic naval defeat. The clock is ticking, and the implications of inaction could be dire for American military supremacy.