The future USS John F Kennedy comes together
The future USS John F Kennedy, the US Navy’s next aircraft carrier, has had its final major steel structural section installed by Huntington Ingalls’ Newport News Shipbuilding division.
The section, known as a superlift, comprises the upper bow section and the forward portion of the flight deck, weighing 780 tons.
Lesson learned from the construction of the lead ship of class USS Gerald R Ford by the shipyard has resulted in changes to the build process, including fewer and larger superlifts, with the build requiring 18 percent fewer construction manhours than Gerald R Ford.
The shipbuilder has also increased the use of digital shipbuilding technologies, using virtual walkthroughs in the 3D product model and other data to determine what work, such as equipment installations and electrical work, can occur prior to erecting the superlift on the ship, in order to increase the level of outfitting and equipment installation.
The vessel is set to be launched and christened by the end of 2019.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history]()
US Coast Guard to receive the largest single acquisition funding in its history
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
-
![US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter]()
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
![US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy]()
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
