The US Navy has supercarriers worth nearly $13 billion.

The US President attended the handover ceremony of the Gerald R. Ford to the Navy and declared that the most advanced aircraft carrier would strike fear into the hearts of enemies.

"Today, I am taking delivery of the USS Gerald R. Ford," Trump said on July 22 at a ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia, after praising the U.S. military and the workers who built the 100,000-ton, $12.9 billion warship.

The president called the newest aircraft carrier a "100,000-ton message to the world" about American military power, and said its enemies would "tremble" whenever they saw the ship streaking across the horizon, according to AP.

"God bless and guide this warship and all those who will be on board," Trump said. He boarded the aircraft carrier by presidential helicopter and was greeted by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other officials.

The helicopter carrying Mr. Trump landed on the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford. Photo: AFP.

Speaking immediately after the President was Susan Ford Bales, the ship's patron and daughter of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States.

"No one is prouder of handing over the ship than President Gerald R. Ford. On behalf of the 38th president and as the ship's patron, I am honored to give this order," said Ford's daughter. "Officers and crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford, take control of our ship and bring life to it!"

The Ford-class is one of the most expensive weapons projects in American history. The Gerald R. Ford is considered a prime example of the Pentagon's struggles in procuring large-scale weapons systems.

Construction of the ship began in 2009 and was supposed to be completed in September 2015 at a cost of $10.5 billion. The US Navy attributed the delays and budget overruns to the ship's advanced systems and technologies, including an electromagnetic catapult system for aircraft that would replace the steam catapult system.

The ship completed sea trials in April but will still have to undergo further testing and inspections before it can be commissioned and deployed. This work is expected to cost nearly $780 million and take more than four years to complete, congressional auditors said in a report this month.

The US built its supercarrier in 12 years. Click on the image for details. Graphics: Viet Chung.

According to VNE