CVN-78 Gerald W Ford

[surfgun]

CVN-78 is scheduled to receive her island on January 26, 2013.
Newport News shipbuilders will lift and place the 555-metric ton island onto
the flight deck of Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the first of the next-generation class of
nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The ship's sponsor and President and
Mrs. Gerald R. Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, will participate in the event.

[S2]

"...The ship's sponsor and President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, will participate in the event."

Really? I need somebody to explain in terms I might understand why Susan Bales needs to be there for the lift of the island? Somebody (ultimately the taxpayer) is footing the bill for her flight, lodging, food and other amenities. Yeah...I know-on a ship of this magnitude the incremental cost is negligible. It causes me to wonder, however, how many other decisions are reached using that rationalization having ZERO bearing on the preparedness of this vessel for its mission. The sum of those incremental costs made over and over again on countless similar projects might be shocking.

I fight every day in my company for the expense on every single item and/or consequent action. We are small and new. Our survival remains tenuous and must be matched with a tenacious determination to slash unjustified or needless expense at every turn. I see no difference in how our government must conduct the business of nat'l security. Ms. Bales can and should attend the christening of the CVN-78 Gerald W. Ford.

Beyond that? No way. I'm insulted and infuriated.

[surfgun]

Here is some information in regards to the ceremony.

landing of the island, the ship's command center for flight deck operations, is a milestone in the modular construction of this nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This step is part of a lengthy process in which smaller sections of the ship are welded together to form large structural units and then lifted into the dry dock. The 60-foot long, 30-foot wide island will be hoisted onto the flight deck using Newport News Shipbuilding's (NNS) 1,050-metric ton gantry crane.

The ship's sponsor will be joined by her husband and daughters, as well as her brother, Michael Ford, and his family. Other principals participating in the event will include CVN 78's Prospective Commanding Officer Capt. John Meier; NNS President Matt Mulherin; and CVN 78 shipbuilders and sailors.

The island landing ceremony has also been referred to as a mast-stepping and dates back to ancient Rome where coins were put into the mast of a ship to ensure safe passage and good luck. The Ford island landing ceremony will continue this tradition. Each ceremony speaker has selected special mementos that will be placed under the island and will later be permanently welded inside it.

[USSWisconsin]

"...The ship's sponsor and President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, will participate in the event."

Really? I need somebody to explain in terms I might understand why Susan Bales needs to be there for the lift of the island? Somebody (ultimately the taxpayer) is footing the bill for her flight, lodging, food and other amenities. Yeah...I know-on a ship of this magnitude the incremental cost is negligible. It causes me to wonder, however, how many other decisions are reached using that rationalization having ZERO bearing on the preparedness of this vessel for its mission. The sum of those incremental costs made over and over again on countless similar projects might be shocking.


I fight every day in my company for the expense on every single item and/or consequent action. We are small and new. Our survival remains tenuous and must be matched with a tenacious determination to slash unjustified or needless expense at every turn. I see no difference in how our government must conduct the business of nat'l security. Ms. Bales can and should attend the christening of the CVN-78 Gerald W. Ford.

Beyond that? No way. I'm insulted and infuriated.

It seems like laying the keel, launching the ship, and commissioning should be enough ceremonies, for a ship's sponsor to be brought to.

I can see a photo opp, but a ceremony seems like too much for this..

[TopHatter]

It seems like laying the keel, launching the ship, and commissioning should be enough ceremonies, for a ship's sponsor to be brought to.

I can see a photo opp, but a ceremony seems like too much for this..

They'll be "stepping the mast", likely with some of Ford's medals or badges

[surfgun]

They'll be "stepping the mast", likely with some of Ford's medals or badges

Just like they will use a 9mm slug with the "Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10)."

[TopHatter]

Just like they will use a 9mm slug with the "Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10)."

That's more than a little tasteless.

[surfgun]

Just like Ray Mabus (the man that named LCS 10). Her name may belong on a building at a university, but a USN warship?

[TopHatter]

Just like Ray Mabus (the man that named LCS 10). Her name may belong on a building at a university, but a USN warship?

Not even gonna bother on this one.

[surfgun]

By Rear Adm. Tom Moore, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers

Today we celebrate a milestone in the construction of the Navy’s next generation aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The island is among the last of 160 total superlifts, and as it is landed on the flight deck, the ship will really take shape. I’m joined today by folks from the Navy, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Susan Ford Bales, who spoke at the keel-laying ceremony in 2009, and will christen the ship later this year.

Island landing is a shipbuilding construction milestone largely unique to aircraft carriers, and is similar to the stepping of the masts aboard sailing ships or the topping out of a skyscraper. It marks a symbolic end to structural work, and the start of the equally challenging work of bringing the ship to life, turning steel and cable into a living ship and crew.



The Gerald R. Ford is the first of the Ford class of nuclear powered aircraft carriers that will be the centerpiece of American naval combat power and projection for most of the 21st century! This mighty warship is a technological marvel that includes many new technologies such as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) that will launch aircraft such as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter, and a new generation of unmanned vehicles. Other enhancements include improved weapons handling systems, and flight deck changes. The design and construction of these ships is a testament to the innovation and technological expertise of our Navy and shipbuilding partners.

The new shape and location of the island, compared to previous aircraft carriers, will immediately identify Gerald R. Ford to everyone who sees her as a new design with new capabilities. The island will house the new Dual Band Radar, the most advanced radar in the Navy, capable of providing full surveillance, weapons targeting, and air traffic control for the carrier and her strike group. The smaller island and its new location, farther aft than on any other carrier, enables her to launch and recover more aircraft per day, and generate sorties more rapidly than any other previous aircraft carrier.

My personal experience as an engineer in the Navy’s nuclear power program, and my many years working on the Navy’s aircraft carrier programs, make today a truly memorable event for me. I’d like to thank all who have sacrificed to provide our nation with the most impressive ship in the world, which will make our Navy stronger than it has ever been before.

Gerald R. Ford will serve our country well into the 2060s, far beyond my career, or that of anyone present at this ceremony. Thanks to the foresight of the Navy and shipbuilder team, the CVN 78 will be more than capable of meeting any challenges that come her way.
Gerald R. Ford Reaches Key Milestone

[surfgun]

"The island is redesigned on Ford to incorporate the latest technology in flat-panel array radar systems and dual-band radar that provides improved functionality. It is shorter in length but stands 20 feet taller than islands on previous aircraft carriers. Its placement is 140 feet further aft and 3 feet further outboard than previous carriers to improve flight deck access for aircraft operations.The first-in-class ship also features a new nuclear power plant, electromagnetic catapults, improved weapons movement, an enhanced flight deck capable of increased aircraft sortie rates, and growth margin for future technologies and reduced manning".

[surfgun]

A video of the island landing.
Ford Island Landing - Newport News Shipbuilding

[USSWisconsin]

Ford class: 3D build sequence - Newport News Shipbuilding

this was nice - the whole build in fast forward

[surfgun]

CVN 78 now has her mast. + baby's got back, with those sponsons.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[Admiral Nelson]

Hwr upper bow has been put in place: Newport New Shipbuilding video.