Elevator woes linger on new US carrier, as ‘nightmare weapon’ concerns raised
The US Navy is struggling to fix technical problems with the advanced weapons elevators on the first Ford-class aircraft carrier, according to a key senator.
Only two of the ship’s 11 elevators will be working when USS Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) leaves its current maintenance and upgrade period in Virginia in October, despite earlier assurances from the navy that all of them would be ready by then, said Sen. James Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Nine elevators are not expected to be functioning until 2020 or later.
The delay ‘indicates either poor
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Final US Navy Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship concludes acceptance testing]()
Final US Navy Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship concludes acceptance testing
After troubled progress with the Littoral Combat Ship programme, the US Navy plans to commission USS Pierre (LCS 38) this autumn.
-
![Indonesia’s PT PAL reveals details about Red White Frigates]()
Indonesia’s PT PAL reveals details about Red White Frigates
The frigates are based on Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 design but are substantially changed and include a range of Turkish weapons such as radars, sonar, guns and electronic warfare systems.
-
![Japan to nationally assemble ESSM Block 2 missiles]()
Japan to nationally assemble ESSM Block 2 missiles
RTX Raytheon will supply missile kits, parts and components to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation for the production of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles Block 2.
-
![US Coast Guard starts construction of first Waterways Commerce Cutter]()
US Coast Guard starts construction of first Waterways Commerce Cutter
By replacing capabilities that are more than 60 years old, the Inland Construction Tenders will support the building, repairing and maintaining of fixed aids to navigation.
-
![France and Sweden sign defence roadmap as Naval Group positions FDI frigate for Swedish surface ship programme]()
France and Sweden sign defence roadmap as Naval Group positions FDI frigate for Swedish surface ship programme
A pact signed at the Paris Air Show has seen Sweden turn to the French FDI frigate to lead its next-gen surface combatant fleet amid shifting security dynamics in the Baltic Sea.
-
![US Navy moves quickly with uncrewed vessels and industry follows]()
US Navy moves quickly with uncrewed vessels and industry follows
The US Navy (USN) is evolving into a hybrid fleet with uncrewed systems supporting crewed vessels and companies working to provide new solutions. In the case of Ocean Aero, its Triton uncrewed surface vessel can also be used underwater.
