Could Asia and the Middle East offer growth opportunities for Italy’s Fincantieri?
Export campaigns for Fincantieri’s submarines and frigates are central to the company’s ambitions as billions of dollars in unawarded contracts come into focus.
USS John F Kennedy on schedule
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division has placed a 900-ton superlift into dry dock as part of construction of the future USS John F Kennedy (CVN 79), the second Gerald R Ford-class aircraft carrier for the US Navy, the company announced on 12 September.
According to HII, the ship’s cost and construction schedule is on track, with CVN 79 set to be completed with 445 superlifts.
Mike Shawcross, Newport News’ vice president, CVN 79 carrier construction, said: ‘The incorporation of lessons learned from CVN 78 on to CVN 79—and major build strategy changes to construct the ship a different way—are having a significant impact on our construction efficiencies.’
The ship is built using modular construction, where smaller sections are welded to form larger structural units called superlifts. The equipment is installed in these units, which are then lifted into the dry dock with the company's 1,050-metric ton gantry crane.
Mike Butler, Newport News’ Kennedy construction programme director, said: ‘Fewer lifts to the dock means we’re building larger superlifts with more outfitting installed prior to erecting the sections in dock. This translates to man-hour savings because the work is being accomplished off the ship in a more efficient work environment.’
Since the ship’s keel was laid in August 2015, almost 90 lifts have been placed in the dock and joined together. CVN 79 is scheduled to be launched in 2020 and delivered to the US Navy in 2022. It will be replacing the supercarrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Could Asia and the Middle East offer growth opportunities for Italy’s Fincantieri?]()
-
![US Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutter ramp-up signifies turning point in Polar operations]()
US Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutter ramp-up signifies turning point in Polar operations
The USCG recently announced the award of a contract to Davie Defense for the supply of five ASCs, marking a major step in the acquisition programme as the US grows its presence in the Arctic.
-
![UK ‘Hybrid Navy’ steps up as Norway cooperation reinforces Arctic strategy]()
UK ‘Hybrid Navy’ steps up as Norway cooperation reinforces Arctic strategy
As Russia commits billions to new warships and stealth submarines, the UK is reshaping its strategy with expanded troop deployments, shared frigate fleets and a shift towards uncrewed platforms.
-
![US Navy to develop an undersea networking capability to support UUV operations]()
US Navy to develop an undersea networking capability to support UUV operations
The NEREUS project aims to enhance and expand the US Navy’s existing communications systems, enabling crewed/uncrewed seabed and subsurface missions.
-
![How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities]()
How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities
The US Navy Hedge Strategy is intended to provide a lethal, modular and cost-effective fleet while accepting Washington’s fiscal and industrial constraints.
-
![US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo]()
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
