US Navy Ford Class nuclear carriers

Re: The Building of America's next "Super" Carrier, CVN-78 USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78

Based on the Gerald Ford timeline I am going to make a prediction for John F Kennedy

First cut in Feb 2011
Should see it laid by end of this year
50% complete by end of 2016
75% complete by end of 2017
Island lifted on to the deck by mid 2018
100% complete by 2019
Dry dock flooded and launched in 2019

During this time the 3rd Gerald Ford gets first steel cut 2015-2016 and gets keel laid in end of this decade

Re: The Building of America's next "Super" Carrier, CVN-78 USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78

asif iqbal said:

Jeff do you know of the keel for the USS John F Kennedy has been laid it was due anytime now?

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No, the Keel laying on the USS John F. Kennedy has not occurred yet.

There are 13 critical technologies listed by the US Navy for the Ford Class. Seven of those technologies are now considered mature, and the other six are nearing maturity.

But having launched CVN-78 already, getting any of those technologies already installed on the ship (and some of them are not installed yet) becomese more costly because they have to go back and make changes to things if the maturing technology warrants it.

So, as a result, to ensure that things are ready for the JFK, they stretched out the build schedule a total of two years to accouit for this. This resulted in the scheduled Keel Laying for the JKF to move to March 2015.

Most people do not realize how radically changed and improved the internal guts of the Ford Class are going to be. of course, when you stretch the envelope, you run up against things that need the time to be prepared for deployment which takes more time.

Not at all a surprising thing. the US Navy will get it all done and all to sea...but particularly the JFK's build is going to have to accomodate those improvements and their timelines.

Here's how the compared schedules now look:

Re: The Building of America's next "Super" Carrier, CVN-78 USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78

Excellent table Jeff I was wanting to make something like that if I wasn't on my iPad need my lat top got that purpose good job!

If we take into the account the delay we still arrive at the 2019 launch date I guess as they ramp up construction they will get faster at building these units

During the life span of the Gerald Class there could come a time when there is 3 units at work at the same time, one getting ready for delivery one under construction in a dry dock and one who's modules are under going fabrication that's 3 x Super carriers at some stage in delivery/sea trials or construction

Now if they did the big thing and kept some of those Nimitz Class in service for a little longer so let's say they extended the life of some of them they could in theory build the carrier fleet to beyond 11 units to say 12 or even 13

I remember reading that USN numbers will drop slightly but post 2020 the warship inventory will cross back over 300 after 2020 as they are projected to the build 1 x SSN and 2 x DDG every year for the next 10-15 years

Very interesting times ahead

She's lookin' good boys. Just can't get enough:

Jeff Head said:

She's lookin' good boys. Just can't get enough:

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no doubt! I can't wait to see the Bugs and Lightings flying off from her in a couple years.

kwaigonegin said:

no doubt! I can't wait to see the Bugs and Lightings flying off from her in a couple years.

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What is so distinctive about her new looks (in addition to the island and the rearragned flight deck with only three elevators), is that big hoss back end she has. Where they extended the shops on the hanger deck to each side.

That's some serious space added there.

Jeff Head said:

What is so distinctive about her new looks (in addition to the island and the rearragned flight deck with only three elevators), is that big hoss back end she has. Where they extended the shops on the hanger deck to each side.

That's some serious space added there.

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Jeff, I am going to guess that those extra spaces will primarily be used for aircraft maintenance and engine workshops, general storage and perhaps secondary ready rooms because they are usually located in the aft hanger deck on 0-3.

kwaigonegin said:

Jeff, I am going to guess that those extra spaces will primarily be used for aircraft maintenance and engine workshops, general storage and perhaps secondary ready rooms because they are usually located in the aft hanger deck on 0-3.

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I had heard that there was additional maintenance and engine spaces...but the additional ready room space makes sense as well.

Anyhow, by all accounts, all of her spaces, and particularly the crew areas, are all supposed to be really top notch.

I am looking forward to seeing those intenal spaces, and the hanger spaces, and the flight deck loaded up and working like a well oiled machine. It will be interesting to see how those new EM cats do too...if they do need less maintenance, and have less wear and tear as expected.

Gerald R. Ford continues outfitting. Here's a nice night shot of her.

I don' t found a thread on the Nimitz class we get it maybe ?