USS Ford will be a test platform for new technolgies, much like USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000). It will carry unmanned aircraft. There is no money for more carriers and only enough for three Zumwalts of what was to have been a 55-ship fleet. The Navy is being hit hard by Obama.
The article says 30, and when he cancelled the Zumwalts, Gates also said that additional Burkes were being procured. The 55 hulls were supposed to be LCS, and those orders are being continued.