The following is video of the July 22, 2017 Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) commissioning ceremony. Read More
Tag Archives: CVN 78
House Armed Services Committee Debates Hypoxia, LCS Buys, CVN-78 Shock Trials, Flight III Upgrade Schedule
The House Armed Services Committee passed its annual defense bill on Thursday after a 14-hour markup, sending the bill to the full House of Representatives with no major changes to its recommended procurement profile.
Though few amendments that passed directly affect Navy and Marine Corps programs, several that failed or were withdrawn sparked serious debates about how the Navy ought to address pressing issues of the day: hypoxia concerns in the Navy’s fighter fleet, how to transition from the Littoral Combat Ship, industry’s ability to upgrade to the Flight III guided-missile destroyer design and more. Read More
Carrier Ford Delivers To Navy After 15 Months of Delays
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NORFOLK (April 14, 2017) The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk and approaches its berth next to the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), left, and USS George Washington (CVN 73) after returning from Builder’s Sea Trials and seven days underway. During this initial at-sea period, Ford’s crew, representatives from Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, the Navy’s CVN 78 Program Office, the Navy’s Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair and various technical subject matter experts demonstrated many of the ship’s key systems. Primary risk reduction objectives were successfully met, and, as is typical with sea trials, the Navy and shipbuilder learned a great deal about the ship’s performance during the extensive testing. Analysis continues, and any identified corrective actions will be addressed. CVN 78 remains on track to conduct Acceptance Trials and delivery to the Navy this spring. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/Released)
The Navy accepted delivery of the first-in-class aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) on May 31, following the completion of acceptance trials on May 26, the Navy announced today. Read More
DoN $180B Budget Request Emphasizes Readiness; Reduces Spending on Ships, Aircraft
A sailor welds during the ongoing maintinance availability for carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on June 26, 2014. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated following Pentagon and Navy press briefings on the FY 2018 budget.
THE PENTAGON – The Department of the Navy’s $180-billion budget request sets out to improve overall readiness of the Navy and the Marine Corps while making only modest asks for new aircraft and ships. Read More
Carrier Ford to Begin Acceptance Trials this Month; Navy Expects Quick Delivery Afterwards
The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) pulls into Naval Station Norfolk for the first time, upon completion of the ship’s builders trials. HII photo.
The first-in-class aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) will head to sea by the end of the month for its last set of trials before the Navy accepts delivery of the ship and commissions it into the fleet, the acting Navy secretary said today. Read More
UPDATED: President Trump Wants Gerald Ford Carriers to Use ‘Goddamned Steam’ Catapults Instead of ‘No Good’ Electromagnetic Launchers
President Donald J. Trump tours Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). Trump visited March 2 to meet with Sailors and shipbuilders of the Navy’s first-in-class aircraft carrier. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated to include a comment from Acting Navy Secretary Sean Stackley.
President Donald Trump wants the new Gerald Ford-class aircraft carriers to use older steam catapults to launch aircraft rather than the new electromagnetic launch system that the Navy has been developing for more than a decade. Read More
Carrier Gerald R. Ford Completes Builder’s Trials, Prepares For Acceptance Trials, Delivery ‘This Spring’
The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk after returning from builder’s sea trials and seven days underway. During this initial at-sea period, Gerald R. Ford’s crew, representatives from Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, the Navy’s CVN 78 Program Office, the Navy’s Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair and various technical subject matter experts demonstrated many of the ship’s key systems. US Navy Photo
Aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completed its builder’s trials today and is back at Naval Station Norfolk to begin preparations for its upcoming acceptance trials. Read More
VIDEO: Carrier Gerald R. Ford Gets Underway
The following is April 8, 2017 video of aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) departs Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding for builder’s sea trials off the coast of Virginia. Read More
NAVSEA: Carrier Gerald R. Ford Set to Start Sea Trials this Week
Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), marking the beginning of a June day of Fast Cruise. Ford is conducting a three-day Fast Cruise to familiarize the crew with the ship’s systems for an extended period of time on June 8, 2016. US Navy Photo
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The overdue first Ford-class aircraft carrier is set to go underway on its first set of sea trials this week, said the commander of Naval Sea Systems Command on Monday. Read More
Carrier Gerald R. Ford Heads to Sea Next Month; Commissioning Later This Year
Tug boats maneuver the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) into the James River during the ship’s turn ship evolution June 11, 2016. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated to correct the title of Ye-Ling Wang, who now serves as program manager for future aircraft carriers. A previous version of this post referred to her as deputy program manager, which is her previous title.
Aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) will head to sea for builders trials next month, a next step leading up to its commissioning later this year. Read More
