USS Gerald R. Ford Completes Latest Round of Explosive Shock Trials

gCaptain ^ | July 26, 2021 | Mike Schuler

[artichokegrower]

The U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) has passed the second of three scheduled “shock trials”.

The latest Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST) test took place in the Atlantic Ocean on July 16th, on the fourth anniversary of the ship’s commissioning.

[artichokegrower]

Ok that looked like fun

[Steely Tom]

Oh, I just figured it out. The first view of the explosion was from a camera actually located on the Ford. The others were from distant observation posts.

[Steely Tom]

Speed of sound in water is about 1500 m/s, so the charge was something like 250 m away from the hull.

[outofsalt]

Is this something that needs to be on the internet?
I remember when the admonition, “loose lips sink ships” meant something. Let’s keep our defense capabilities to ourselves, don’t ya think?
Not you, FRiend, Everybody!

[Candor7]

https://youtu.be/C91puqsAkV4

[crz]

I wonder if it would survive a nuclear torpedo.

Just sayin.

[Captain Walker]

If the ship sinks does that make the test a success or a failure?

[pepsi_junkie]

I was, at one time, a NAVSEA certified shock inspector and did inspections on a bunch of ships so I have a passing familiarity with the topic.

Shock trials are not a secret and they don't reveal capability. They are intended to find stuff which can become a hazard to the equipment or personnel when subjected to shock from nearby explosions. Stuff that could come loose and fly across the compartment, for example. Typically only the first or second ship of the class undergoes an explosive test and the other ships of the class just get a visual shock inspection.

[al baby]

That’s what brought down that condo complex

[Empire_of_Liberty]

I’m with you. China thanks you for the data. I guess computer analysis is lost on people.

[PGR88]

I’m surprised environmentalists aren’t out protesting this, because, ya know, marine life, and stuff.

[Yo-Yo]

Is this something that needs to be on the internet? I remember when the admonition, “loose lips sink ships” meant something. Let’s keep our defense capabilities to ourselves, don’t ya think? Not you, FRiend, Everybody!

The video was posted by the United States Navy in June.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDDohTHEfOI

[central_va]

A direct hit, no.

[doorgunner69]

“how well a class of ships can take a hit”

Uh, no. How well they cope with the shock of a nearby explosion. NOT the same as taking a hit.

[mabarker1]

Fishing with HE will out do Grenades or a stick of Dynamite.
What’s that Game Warden joke punch line?- “Ya gonna talk or fish?”

Well any Fish nearby that aren’t dead will damned sure be deaf !

I’m figuring that Fish will be on the menu for a few days just by tossing a net or 2 and dragging it back in.

[PIF]

The test area was specifically chosen for lack of sea life - so only 2 fish, one sea amemone and a clam died.

[mabarker1]

That’s not much to feed several thousand people...

[Chode]

make damn sure you aren’t standing in the water when it goes off...

[mabarker1]

SURF'S UP, KOWABUNGA DUDE'S AND DUDETTE'S

[Chode]

depending on distance/strength of device/depth of water, you’re gonna get INSTANT over pressure for any submerged parts...

ankles/calf’s will instantly black&blue from the waterline down as capillaries fail

nut deep, and, well... you get the idea