Northrop Grumman Selects Designer
for CVN 21
Advanced Weapons Elevator
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Oct. 20, 2005
-- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has selected
Federal Equipment Company to design and build the advanced
weapons elevator for the new-generation aircraft carrier,
CVN 21.
Northrop Grumman’s Newport News sector
awarded the approximately $50 million contract following
a year-long design competition. During this period, vendors
refined their designs and built and tested a full-scale,
one-quarter load elevator drive. The preliminary design
competition concluded in early 2005, and Federal Equipment
Company and their technology partner, MagneMotion, were
chosen to develop a full-scale prototype elevator for
land-based testing. Prototype testing will be completed
by late 2007, and they will begin to manufacture the production
units which are scheduled for shipboard installation in
mid-2010.
“We’ve been pleased with the
preliminary design and testing of this new system which
is a vital component to enhancing flight-deck operations,”
said Mike Shawcross, vice president for the CVN 21 Program
at Northrop Grumman Newport News. “As we continue
to work with our design partners to transition this concept
into reality, we come one step closer to bringing the
CVN 21 to life.”
Innovations for the CVN 21 program include
an enhanced flight deck capable of increased sortie rates
and improved weapons movement. An essential part of achieving
these goals includes the incorporation of an advanced
weapons elevator. The new elevator operates by a permanent
magnet linear synchronous motor, eliminating the need
for wire ropes, and making it faster and capable of holding
more than double the capacity of the Nimitz-class design.
Federal Equipment Company specializes in
the design, manufacture and installation of conveyors,
elevator platforms, dumbwaiters and shipboard helicopter
hangar equipment for the U.S. Navy.
MagneMotion develops and manufactures assembly
automation, material handling and transportation solutions
using electro-magnetic technology and linear synchronous
motor and magnetic levitation systems.
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 19,000
people.
