Issue Analysis
The $13 billion USS Gerald R. Ford has recorded 42 toilet‑related trouble calls since June 2023, including 32 in 2025, indicating a persistent failure of its Vacuum Collection, Holding and Transfer (VCHT) system.
Breakdown
- VCHT blockages: Daily repair or unclogging requests have been logged, mirroring problems seen in cruise‑ship plumbing.
- Calcium buildup: Requires acid flushes; each flush costs about $400,000, with roughly ten flushes performed since 2023.
- Operational risk: Repeated plumbing failures could jeopardize ship readiness, echoing historic incidents where minor system faults led to vessel loss.