First steel cut for future aircraft carrier Doris Miller
The first cut of steel for the future aircraft carrier Doris Miller. (Photo: HII.)
The steel cutting ceremony marked the first construction milestone for the future carrier Doris Miller.
On 25 August, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) hosted the ceremonial cutting of the first steel for the future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, Doris Miller.
Doris Miller’s keel will be laid in 2026, and the ship delivered to the USN in 2032. HII’s Newport News site is currently performing early manufacturing of the vessel.
Thomas Bledsoe, great-nephew of the ship’s namesake, gave the order to cut the steel. Officials, shipbuilders and relatives of Doris Miller then signed the first plate.
The ship’s namesake earned the Navy Cross for heroic actions while serving aboard USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Doris Miller is the second ship of a two-carrier contract awarded to HII in January 2019 for the design and construction of two Ford-class vessels.
The Ford-class carrier features software-controlled electromagnetic catapults and weapons elevators and requires twice the electrical capacity of the preceding Nimitz-class.
Earlier this month, HII has passed a significant milestone in the construction of the John F. Kennedy carrier, one of four Ford-class carriers ordered by the USN.
More than 80% of the total work on the John F. Kennedy has been completed; delivery to the USN is scheduled for 2024.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Rafael and Elbit supply electronic warfare solution for frigate protection to NATO nations]()
Rafael and Elbit supply electronic warfare solution for frigate protection to NATO nations
The EW systems will be deployed on five frigates from unspecified NATO-member nations, to improve their survivability in combat.
-
![Edge and CMN Naval create multi-billion dollar joint venture to build high value niche naval vessels]()
Edge and CMN Naval create multi-billion dollar joint venture to build high value niche naval vessels
The new company will take possession of the existing non-NATO order pipeline, said to be worth billions of dollars.
-
![New mine countermeasures vessel enters service in Japan]()
New mine countermeasures vessel enters service in Japan
The new vessel, JS Nomi, is the fourth countermeasures vessels in the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force's Awaji class, and a fifth and sixth have been costed.
-
![New three-way deal spurs mine countermeasure advances in UAE]()
New three-way deal spurs mine countermeasure advances in UAE
Exail, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) are collaborating to add new technology to mine countermeasure solutions.
-
![North Korea claims to have its first nuclear submarine]()
North Korea claims to have its first nuclear submarine
If its claims are true, the submarine could have a significant impact on other navies in the region and potentially on US foreign policy.
