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Third (and final) Elevator Installed on USS Gerald R. Ford, CVN-79 3rd Elevator Installed on USS Gerald R. Ford World Maritime News Newport News, VirginiaHuntington Ingalls Industries: Huntington Ingalls announced yesterday that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division installed the third and final aircraft elevator on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The elevator, which is used to move aircraft from the hangar bay to the flight deck quickly and safely, is located on the starboard side of the ship. It measures 85 feet long and 52 feet wide and weighs 120 tons, akin to a steam...

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the next Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier will be named the USS John F. Kennedy. The selection John F. Kennedy, designated CVN 79, honors the 35th President of the United States and pays tribute to his service in the Navy, in the government, and to the nation. “President John F. Kennedy exemplified the meaning of service, not just to country, but service to all humanity,” said Mabus. “I am honored to have the opportunity to name the next aircraft carrier after this great sailor and inspirational leader, and to keep the rich...

CLICK HERE TO PETITION TO NAME THE 2ND FORD CLASS CARRIER THE USS ENTERPRISECLICK HERE for the Petition to name the next Ford Class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Enterprise [Click on the small images for a larger, higher resolution image of each] The current USS Enterprise, CVN-65 will be decommissioned when CVN-78, the USS Gerald R. Ford is commissioned into the fleet. This will leave the high seas without a US aircraft carrier named Enterprise. The Big-E has been plowing the waves of the high seas for the last fifty and more years in defense of US National interests,...