US Navy Ford Class nuclear carriers

Air Force Brat said:

Being a land-lubber I have thought that myself for some time?? I am also fascinated/concerned at the same time with the very small island?? I realize that adds so much more deck space, flexibility, etc, etc.

But what trade-offs do you make, when you sacrifice all that island?

I'm also happy to see rotary wing aircraft on deck!

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They have the technology and the internal space for all of the things they do. They have not lost anything. As you can see from this pic, they have four levels of observation/management/visability on that Island. The Nimitz class has three.



So they added a little hieght and another story of operational control, while lessening the footprint.

Jeff Head said:

A GREAT video...worth watching:

@bd popeye @TerraN_EmpirE @Obi Wan Russell @Air Force Brat @Equation @FORBIN @Bltizo @Deino @Miragedriver @Jura @Blackstone

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This is likely the first and only time where the Ford will actually "belong" to the sailors, they will operate their ship for the sake of sea trials unencumbered by the needs/wants of the Air Boss/Air Wing! That thought had first occurred to me with the launch of Liaoning so many years ago, of course the Liaoning operated for quite some time sans air wing, as they where working up the first ever Chinese carrier air wing!

BD could you or Jeff give us a brief summation of what they will be "working up" as a first ever cruise by a Ford Class?? and of course both of you feel free to add your thoughts, and Kwai, I would love to have your thoughts on this as well??

Jeff Head said:

She's at sea boys! Left today, April; 8, 2017. From the local station there at Norfolk: See:

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Here are some pics:

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (April 08, 2017) - The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is underway on its own power for the first time. The first-of-class ship -- the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years -- will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni)

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That's great to hear, but dang it there goes my bet that she won't enter sea trial till July 4th.

Air Force Brat said:

Being a land-lubber I have thought that myself for some time?? I am also fascinated/concerned at the same time with the very small island?? I realize that adds so much more deck space, flexibility, etc, etc.

But what trade-offs do you make, when you sacrifice all that island?

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Well one of the improvements is the bomb farm is now in the 03 level just underneath the flight deck. I don't see any issue with the island being smaller. What ever spaces were loacated in the island on a Nimitz or older class are now located elsewhere.

Air Force Brat said:

I'm also happy to see rotary wing aircraft on deck!

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Those helos have to be there. Those are for SAR and maybe just maybe ASW.

I never went out to sea without helos. Never.

Air Force Brat said:

BD could you or Jeff give us a brief summation of what they will be "working up" as a first ever cruise by a Ford Class?? and of course both of you feel free to add your thoughts, and Kwai, I would love to have your thoughts on this as well??

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Sure AFB. They, shipyard workers and Naval personnel from , will be running all sorts of engineering drills including high speed runs in forward and reverse. Plus of course high speed turns. They will make sure the automated portion of the fire fighting system is working. They will open and shut all the hangar bay doors bizillions of times. they will make sure all the auxiliary power generators and backup to back-up systems work. They will make sure all the alarms work. Of course they will put all the aircraft elevators to work. More than likely the weapons elevators also. ..I'm not sure about the weapons elevators. I understand just a couple of weeks ago there were some issues with the weapons elevators.

They will make sure all the watertight doors and hatches are properly fitted. they will make sure all the gear that the USN has already signed off on is up and available for use.Etc..etc..oh yea no flight ops other than helo ops. I could be wrong because >>> They may want to test that Advanced Arresting Gear and EMAL cats.

This is by no means what all they will do but it should give you a general idea.

Oh yea the shipyard workers will go to the smoke shop and buy up as many tax exempt cigarettes as they could..well at least that is what they use to do...

Here's the USN version on what the GRF (CVN 78) will be doing while at sea.;

Release Date: 4/8/2017 5:17:00 PM

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is underway for its first set of sea trials, known as Builder's Sea Trials (BST). Builder's sea trials provide an opportunity to test systems, components and compartments at sea for the first time.

Over the next several days, CVN 78 Sailors, shipbuilders from Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS), the Navy's Supervisor of Shipbuilding and Naval Sea Systems Command personnel will be working side-by-side testing many of the ship's key systems and technologies.

"The Navy and our industry partners are excited to have the future USS Gerald R. Ford underway under her own power for the first time, executing a rigorous and comprehensive test program for this first-of-class ship," said Rear Adm. Brian Antonio, program executive officer for aircraft carriers. "This milestone is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and we look forward to learning a great deal during sea trials. We will continue to work together to deliver Ford's critical capabilities to the fleet."

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Best video yet, and very good High Res.


Also, a GREAT very high res (over 4000 pics) version of that aft shot.

test bd said:

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Love the High Res version of this photo!

Here she is: