Gerald R. Ford-klasse vliegkampschepen

Gestart door Sparkplug, 22/12/2016 | 14:33 uur


Sparkplug

#42
Up close with the world?s largest warship

NOVEMBER 19, 2022

On 14th November the US Navy?s new aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in UK waters for her first visit to Europe. The 100,000-ton ship is the largest, most expensive and arguably the most powerful warship ever built. Here we report from onboard about her first operational deployment and now this vessel represents a step change in carrier aviation.


Transformational design

Although externally similar, the Ford-class aircraft carriers are not just an iterative development of the proceeding Nimitz class but a transformational design. 23 separate systems incorporating new technologies have been brought together to create a vessel that will ensure the US Navy maintains its already vast lead in carrier development over any of its global competitors. The decisions made by President George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to go for such a cutting-edge option came with enormous technical and financial risk which was perhaps underestimated at the time. The price tag for the vessel (not including aircraft) has risen to around $13.3bn with another $5bn spent on supporting research and development.

The new ship is the culmination of a twenty-year project, and although formally commissioned in July 2017, she did not achieve initial operating capability until December 2021. The first of class of any warship is also a prototype and many of its systems can only be fully tested when installed on the ship or at sea. Nearly 5 years were spent on fixing emerging issues with the new systems but as a project too big to fail, expenditure and hard work has finally paid off. The USN now has a platform that is by far the best on the planet, with a large margin of reserve space and power generation to absorb future ship and aircraft technologies. Broadly speaking the new design also enables Ford to generate higher sustained aircraft sortie rates, making for a safer, more survivable combat vessel with reduced crewing and maintenance requirements.

With a similar painful experience developing the Zumwalt class destroyers, the USN has subsequently said it will never again attempt to bring together so many new technologies together in one new warship design. Three further ships of the class are now under construction, the USS John F. Kennedy, USS Enterprise and USS Doris Miller, with a 5th planned. The Ford is the first new carrier design in 40 years and a statement of the USN?s continued commitment to tailhook aviation. Whether the USN will be able to maintain a balanced fleet while simultaneously replacing all 11 of its carriers on a one-for-one basis is open to debate. There are some that argue the USN should consider a smaller, affordable design to maintain numbers. The USN could probably build a CATOBAR carrier based on the Queen Elizabeth-Class design for around $4Bn.

.../...

(Klik op afbeelding voor vergroting)




https://www.navylookout.com/up-close-with-the-worlds-largest-warship/
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

US Navy modifies carrier Kennedy contract for F-35 and delivery changes

03 NOVEMBER 2020

by Michael Fabey

As expected, the US Navy (USN) awarded the Newport News Shipbuilding unit of Huntington-Ingalls Industries (HII) contract modifications on 2 November that shift the delivery of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) to a single-phase process and incorporates changes in the ship to accommodate Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighter flight operations.

With the change, the ship will be delivered three months earlier than initially planned, according to the previously reported schedule.

Newport News Shipbuilding received a USD284.3 million fixed-price-incentive (firm target) modification and a not-to-exceed USD30.7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee modification "for the accomplishment of CVN 79 single-phase delivery and Joint Strike Fighter (F-35C) capabilities", the USN said in a press release on 2 November.

"The navy is transitioning to a single-phase delivery approach to meet both fleet requirements and a congressional mandate of ensuring that CVN 79 is capable of operating and deploying Joint Strike Fighter (F-35C) aircraft before completing the post-shakedown availability as codified in the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act," the navy said. The modifications provide initial funding for the procurement of long-lead material and planning, HII said.

The single-phase delivery date is planned for 30 June 2024 for the second ship of the Ford-class carriers, the navy noted. In a 7 October report on the Ford-class vessels, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) said that Kennedy had been scheduled for delivery to the navy in September 2024. Kennedy

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Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding launched aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy in 2019. The navy has changed the delivery plan for the ship. (Huntington Ingalls Industries)

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-navy-modifies-carrier-kennedy-contract-for-f-35-and-delivery-changes

Zie ook:

https://news.usni.org/2020/10/08/report-to-congress-on-gerald-r-ford-carrier-program-4

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/7223273/Navy-Ford-CVN-78-Class-Aircraft-Carrier-Program.pdf
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

@Warship_78

CitaatToday as we pause to reflect on the birthplace of #NavalAviation dominance - the Battle of Midway, #Warship78 and
@USSHARRYSTRUMAN conduct dual Carrier Operations in the Atlantic Ocean. #USNavy #ForceToBeReckonedWith #forgedbythesea @flynavy









https://twitter.com/Warship_78/status/1268540148989538310
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

Ford Prepares to Integrate Carrier Air Wing

https://seapowermagazine.org/ford-prepares-to-integrate-carrier-air-wing/


A Sailor on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford signals an F/A-18F Super Hornet to land on the Ford's flight deck during flight operations May 15. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications and is set to welcome its air wing, CVW-8, next month. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan Seelbach
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

USS Ford Maintenance Moving Ahead of Schedule, Shrinking To-Do List for After Shock Trials

https://news.usni.org/2020/05/20/uss-ford-maintenance-moving-ahead-of-schedule-shrinking-to-do-list-for-after-shock-trials


The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) transits the Atlantic Ocean, May 13, 2020. Gerald R. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier qualifications. US Navy photo.
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

USS Gerald Ford Flight Deck Now Certified; Can Conduct Carrier Qualifications

https://news.usni.org/2020/03/23/uss-gerald-ford-flight-deck-now-certified-can-conduct-carrier-qualifications


F/A-18E and F Super Hornets assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, stack up in preparation for launch from the flight deck of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean March 21, 2020. US Navy photo.
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

USN conducts more successful EMALS and AAG tests on carrier Ford

https://www.janes.com/article/93888/usn-conducts-more-successful-emals-and-aag-tests-on-carrier-ford


Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is now proving the ability of its new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) to accommodate air wing platforms. Source: Jane's/Michael Fabey
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

Next Ford-class Carrier to be Named After Pearl Harbor Hero Doris Miller (CVN-81)

https://news.usni.org/2020/01/18/next-ford-class-carrier-to-be-named-after-pearl-harbor-hero-doris-miller


Doris Miller in 1942. US Navy Photo
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

USS Gerald R. Ford Set for 11 At-Sea Periods for Tests and Trials

https://seapowermagazine.org/uss-gerald-r-ford-set-for-11-at-sea-periods-for-tests-and-trials/


The aircraft crash and salvage crane aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford lifts an F/A-18 Hornet training shell during a general quarters training evolution on the ship's flight deck. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zack Guth
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

Navy Considering Phased Delivery for JFK

https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-considering-phased-delivery-for-jfk/


he hull of the USS John F. Kennedy, decorated for its Dec. 7 christening at Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cory J. Daut
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

UPDATED: USS Gerald Ford Starts Sea Trials After More Than a Year of Repairs

https://news.usni.org/2019/10/25/worlds-most-expensive-warship-starts-sea-trials-after-more-than-a-year-of-repairs


USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) steams toward the Atlantic Ocean. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-72) USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) on Oct. 25 after a 15-month post shakedown yard period. USNI Photo by Mark D. Faram
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

Nimitz and Ford Carriers Need Upgrades to Deploy With F-35Cs (een uitdaging om VFA-147 Argonauts in 2021 vanaf USS Carl Vinson te laten opereren)

https://news.usni.org/2019/06/06/nimitz-and-ford-carriers-need-upgrades-to-deploy-with-f-35cs
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Parera

Citaat van: Huzaar1 op 04/02/2019 | 11:05 uur
Dit gaat om 2 extra carriers bovenop de huidige order?
Waar halen ze het personeel vandaan..

Personeel ? slechts 4660 koppen per schip  >:( De Ford klasse carriers hebben nog maar 2600 man vaste bemanning +2060 man  airwing i.p.v. 3532 vaste bemanning + 2480 man airwing op de Nimitz klasse.

Als je dat tegen over de ''iets kleinere'' Queen Elizabeth klasse van de Britten zet doen de Amerikanen toch echt iets verkeerd. De QE's hebben ruimte voor 1600 koppen waarvan 679 vaste bemanning + 250 troepen, dan blijft er 671 man over aan airwing.

Sparkplug

Citaat van: jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter) op 04/02/2019 | 11:10 uur
Het zijn 2 orders, betreft vervangende schepen.

Indienststelling van CVN-80 is gepland voor 2027 als vervanging van CVN-69 en CVN-81 is gepland voor 2030 als vervanging van CVN-70.
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

Citaat van: Huzaar1 op 04/02/2019 | 11:05 uur
Dit gaat om 2 extra carriers bovenop de huidige order?
Waar halen ze het personeel vandaan..

Het zijn 2 orders, betreft vervangende schepen.

Huzaar1

Citaat van: Sparkplug op 03/01/2019 | 12:03 uur
Pentagon reaffirms support for two-carrier buy and sends details to Congress (betreft CVN-80 en CVN-81)

https://www.janes.com/article/85472/pentagon-reaffirms-support-for-two-carrier-buy-and-sends-details-to-congress
Dit gaat om 2 extra carriers bovenop de huidige order?
Waar halen ze het personeel vandaan..
"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion" US secmindef - Jed Babbin"

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Harald

USS Gerald R. Ford CVN 78 Completes First Arrested Landing and Launch

Less than one week after Pres. Donald J. Trump commissioned the U.S. Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) launched and recovered its first fixed-wing aircraft July 28, 2017, off the coast of Virginia. The first arrested landing, or "trap", occurred at 3:10 PM (EST) and the first catapult launch happened at 4:37 PM (EST).




Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.


Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

Huntington Ingalls Industries Receives Contract to Kick off Advance Fabrication of Aircraft Carrier Enterprise (CVN 80)

(Source: Huntington Ingalls Industries; issued Feb 01, 2017)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. --- Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) was awarded a $25.5 million modification to an existing advance planning contract in support of advance fabrication of the aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80) on Tuesday.

The initial structural fabrication and shop work on the third Gerald R. Ford-class carrier will be performed at the company's Newport News Shipbuilding division through March 2018.

"This award authorizes us to begin fabrication of structural components, sub-components, sub-units and pre-assemblies in our manufacturing shops to support the 2018 construction of Enterprise," said Mike Shawcross, Newport News' vice president, CVN 79 and CVN 80 construction. "This is an important step in getting this next Ford-class ship off to a great start, as it allows us to continue implementation of lessons learned, and the initial steel work will allow us to utilize our aircraft carrier steel production line in an efficient manner."

HII shipbuilders have captured thousands of lessons learned and developed new build approaches during construction of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), most of which are being implemented as cost-saving initiatives in building the second ship in the class, John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). These initiatives will also apply to Enterprise, and HII will work with the Navy to identify additional cost-saving initiatives for future Ford-class carrier construction.


Huntington Ingalls Industries is America's largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. HII's Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Integrated Missions Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs nearly 37,000 people operating both domestically and internationally.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/180783/contract-kicks-off-advance-fabrication-of-new-aircraft-carrier.html
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Sparkplug

#1
Lead Ford-class carrier nears completion of system testing

Michael Fabey, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Navy International - 22 December 2016


The USN's newest aircraft carrier, the future USS Gerald R Ford, being manoeuvred by tugs in the James River near HII's Newport News shipyard in June 2016. Currently, the carrier is nearing completion of system testing as it prepares for delivery to the navy. Source: USN

Key Points
. System testing on USS Gerald R Ford is more than 75% complete, says shipbuilder
. Less than 10% of overall test programme remains to be finished

Systems testing aboard the US Navy's (USN's) new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, lead ship the future USS Gerald R Ford , is more than three-quarters complete, according to Michael Petters, CEO of shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII).

"CVN 78 Ford is essentially complete, with less than 10% of the overall test programme remaining to be completed," Petters told a recent briefing on the company's earnings. "We are prosecuting the repairs on the main turbine generators and moving towards sea trials."

Resolving issues relating to the turbine generators has been a challenge as the company has worked towards delivering the ship. The navy had planned to take delivery of the ship in 2016; at this stage, no delivery date has been confirmed, although IHS Jane's understands that the navy may provide an update on progress towards this aim by the end of the year.

Two of the key systems currently undergoing additional testing are the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG). These systems are central to the launch and recovery, respectively, of embarked aircraft.

Of the two, EMALS development, installation, and integration have kept mostly to schedule and expectation. The system has undergone nearly all testing planned before delivery, according to Michael Land, a spokesperson for Naval Air Systems Command, in response to questions from IHS Jane's . Once that testing is complete and the carrier is delivered, HII's team will turn the system over to Ford 's crew to test EMALS with aircraft onboard the ship.

AAG testing appears to be back on track following some setbacks, according to the USN. The navy is still testing the system, following a re-design of its water-twister components.

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http://www.janes.com/article/66480/lead-ford-class-carrier-nears-completion-of-system-testing

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Pentagon says USN mismanaged arresting gear effort

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F/A-18E catches wire on Advanced Arresting Gear for first time

CVN 78 to go to sea for initial trials in June

Surface Navy 2016: USN's new CVN moves closer to sea trials
A fighter without a gun . . . is like an airplane without a wing.

-- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.