Posted on 09/17/2008 10:12:37 AM PDT by Reaganesque
September 17, 2008 The tenth and final nuclear-powered Nimitz-class supercarrier, George H. W. Bush, enters service in 2009, but the next-generation is on its way. The Gerald R. Ford CVN 78 is the first ship in the first new carrier class in over 40 years. Northrop Grumman has received a $5.1 billion, seven-year contract for construction of the CVN 78, which is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2015.
Northrop Grumman began advance construction of the Gerald R Ford in 2005, under a separate $2.7 billion contract. Roughly one third of the ship’s 1,200 structural units are currently under construction, with the keel scheduled to be laid in 2009. The Navy is expected to build 11 of the carriers, each worth approximately $8 billion, continuing construction into 2058.
The Gerald R Ford class carriers will have a larger flight deck, improved weapons handling, a smaller island, a new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System, an Advanced Arresting Gear, and a new A1B nuclear propulsion and electricity generation system. The technological advancements in the Ford design result in a 25% increase in sortie generation, a 25% reduction in necessary manpower, a threefold increase in electrical generating capacity, improved self defense capability, increased launch/recovery capability, increased ability to incorporate future upgrades, and increased operational availability.
By changing the layout of the flight deck, and pushing back the island, the carrier minimizes aircraft movements and decreases the workload for personnel. The centralized re-arming location, and the use of robots to move ordnance, also boosts efficiency and allows aircraft to re-arm in “minutes instead of hours.”
The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) has a higher level of control than the steam-powered catapults employed by Nimitz-class carriers. EMALS can launch heavier and lighter craft, making it compatible with UAVs. EMALS is more efficient, smaller lighter, more powerful, easier to control, and places less stress on airframes by gradually increasing the aircraft’s speed. UAV integration is also made possible by the Advanced Arresting Gear System, which uses electromagnetism, rather than hydraulics, to capture aircraft.
The inability of current aircraft carriers to effectively handle UAVs is a reminder of the need to plan for technological advancement. While the USS Enterprise, (the ship being replaced by the Ford), is still serving 50 years after it was laid down, it is increasingly unable to adapt to upgraded systems. With currently planned systems on the CVN 78 consuming only half of its generated power, the ship is well prepared to incorporate future energy-hungry systems such laser guns, dynamic armor, and new tracking devices.
I hope they name the new carriers Enterprise, Yortown, etc.. Nothing against Ford.. I do understand having the ship name Lincoln, Reagan, Roosevelt, Washington, and the First Bush.. But Ford????
I wish they’d go back to the old naming system of American battles. I can understand naming a carrier after FDR or Reagan but I have a problem with naming one USS Ford.
My thoughts exactly...
I wonder if she will displace more than the 90,000 ton George H.W. Bush.
Exactly. Who’d want to serve on the USS Clinton?
How long until some sub driver refers to it as: "Found On Reef Dead"...
ping
Well, it could be worse, they could name it the USS William J. Clinton.
That’d be a sight at fleet week and formal events. The entire crew will stand in a giant ring around the deck with their pants around their ankles.
“I hope they name the new carriers Enterprise, Yortown, etc.. Nothing against Ford.. I do understand having the ship name Lincoln, Reagan, Roosevelt, Washington, and the First Bush.. But Ford????”
Ford ably served in the US Navy during WWII as a navigator, and antiaircraft battery officer aboard the light carrier USS Monterey.
I wonder what will be named after clintoon?
Seriously- do they HAVE to name a boat after him? And who would want to serve on it?
Respectfully, I do not agree.
Gerald Ford was a Naval officer who served aboard a carrier during WWII. It is highly appropriate that Pres. Ford is honored with a carrier class.
MY worry is if they ever want to name a carrier after impeached and disbarred former president Rodham-Clinton.
(Where would they find a crew?)
.
President Ford was in the Navy in WWII
for the NAVAIR ping list.....
“a $5.1 billion, seven-year contract”
1 ) It will cost a LOT more than $5 billion, if the contract is to run over seven years (among other things, technology will change and have to be updated)
2 ) With the aircraft added ($35 mil apiece?), plus support ships and protection, the entire cost for adding one carrier will soar into the AIG loan range.
So, are we getting enough bang for our bucks? Would that amount, put into submarines or cruise missiles or the development of space weapons, be a better investment?
A garbage scow.
My mistake..
The USS George Washington leaves San Diego Last month.
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