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Naval
Industry News - USA |
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Newport
News Shipbuilding Floods Dry Dock and Floats Aircraft Carrier Gerald
R. Ford |
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Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that its Newport
News Shipbuilding (NNS) division began flooding the dry dock where the
nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) has been under construction
since November 2009. With the push of a dozen buttons, ship’s
sponsor Susan Ford Bales initiated the flow of more than 100 million
gallons of water into the dry dock. |
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The flooding
of the dry dock takes place in phases during which various tests are
conducted. Initially, the dock is flooded about 4 feet high to its keel
blocks, wood-capped concrete pads on which the ship has been supported
during construction. Once the dock is fully flooded and initial afloat
testing is complete, water will be partially pumped out and the ship
returned to her keel blocks in anticipation of Ford’s christening
on Nov. 9. The ship will float again about a week later when it is moved
to a pier for outfitting. Ford is scheduled for delivery to the U.S.
Navy in 2016. |
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“Flooding
of the dry dock, floating of the ship, and transfer to the outfitting
pier all represent the successful completion of a tremendous amount
of hard work by our talented shipbuilders,” said Rolf Bartschi,
NNS’ vice president of CVN 78 carrier construction. “The
shipbuilding team has taken great pride in building this first-of-class
ship, and we all look forward to the next phase of ship construction
and testing that will occur at the pier.” Gerald R. Ford represents the next-generation class of aircraft carriers. The first-in-class ship features a new nuclear power plant, a redesigned island, electromagnetic catapults, improved weapons movement, an enhanced flight deck capable of increased aircraft sortie rates, and growth margin for future technologies and reduced manning. “Thanks for holding my hand,” Bales said, addressing a group of shipbuilders following the event. “It has been really special, and walking down the side of the ship today, I wished my dad was here. He would have been so proud of all of you, and I’m proud of all of you.” Click here to read more on Gerald R. Ford Class (CVN-78) Aircraft Carrier Pictures: HII |
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