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Design work on the Gerald R. Ford class of aircraft
carrier is underway at Northrop Grumman Newport News with
the full construction contract anticipated in 2008. Newport
News is designing the Ford class using a product model tool
called CATIA, the most technologically advanced system in
use today in the shipbuilding industry.
Innovations for the Ford class include an enhanced
flight deck with increased sortie rates, improved weapons
movement, a redesigned island, a new nuclear power plant,
allowance for future technologies and reduced manning. These
and many other evolutionary new designs are being developed
by Newport News engineers to build the most capable aircraft
carriers for the U.S. Navy.
Advance construction is beginning in 2005 for the first ship
of the class, CVN 78. This advance work will allow shipbuilders
to test the design-build strategy before overall construction
begins in 2008. Each carrier of the class is valued at approximately
$8 billion. On Aug. 11, 2005, Northrop Grumman Newport News
hosted a ceremonial steel cut and grand opening ceremony for
one of several new facilities that will support Ford
class construction. The ceremony was held in the shipyard’s
new Heavy Plate Bay.
For more information about the CVN 21 Program and its new
facilities, please visit the links below.
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