FORMER PRESIDENT
GEORGE H. W. BUSH AUTHENTICATES KEEL FOR
AIRCRAFT CARRIER NAMED IN HIS HONOR
Former President Bush authenticated the keel of the George
H. W. Bush aircraft carrier by chalking his initials onto
a metal plate. His initials were then welded onto the plate, which
will be permanently affixed to the carrier. |
NEWPORT NEWS, Va.
-- September 6, 2003 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC)
Newport News sector hosted a keel laying ceremony today for the aircraft
carrier George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). Former President George
H. W. Bush served as the keel authenticator and keynote speaker for
the ceremony. Former First Lady Barbara Bush also attended with their
daughter, Doro Bush Koch, the ship's sponsor.
The former President
authenticated the keel by chalking his initials onto a metal plate.
His initials were then welded onto the plate, which will be permanently
affixed to the ship. "We as a country should be very grateful for
the men and women who build these ships," he said. "You play a key
role in defending our freedom."
Other ceremony
participants included Northrop Grumman Newport News President Tom
Schievelbein; Secretary of the Navy (Acting) H. T. Johnson; Chief
of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark; Virginia Sen. John W. Warner;
and retired Navy Adm. James L. Holloway III. The ceremony concluded
with a flyover by a Grumman Avenger, the same kind of plane flown
by the former president when he was a U.S. naval aviator.
The George
H. W. Bush (CVN 77) is the 10th and final Nimitz-class
aircraft carrier. Named after the nation’s 41st president, this powerful
warship of the 21st century will feature numerous improvements and
modernizations. The island house will include a new radar tower, navigation
system upgrades, communication systems enhancements, and transparent
armor windows. Modernized aircraft launch and recovery equipment as
well as a new fuel system for improved storage and handling of aircraft
fuel will also be among the carrier’s significant enhancements.
As a Nimitz-class
aircraft carrier, the Bush will stretch 1,092 feet, weigh 97,000 tons
and carry more than 80 combat aircraft. It will be among the world’s
largest warships. Its top speed will exceed 30 knots and powered with
two nuclear reactors, it will operate for more than 20 years without
refueling.
Northrop Grumman
Newport News, headquartered in Newport News Va., is the nation’s sole
designer, builder, and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers
and one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear
powered submarines. Newport News also provides after-market services
for a wide array of naval and commercial vessels. The Newport News
sector employs about 18,000 people.
For more information
about the ship
click here.
For images from
the ceremony click here.
Contact:
Jennifer Dunn
(757) 380-3558
