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
-
![NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios]()
NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios
As part of its effort to better prepare its capabilities for operations in contested and congested scenarios, NATO evaluated a Lithuanian ship-to-ship terminal designed to not be susceptible to enemy interference.
-
![US Navy advances with the Harpoon Service Life Extension Programme]()
US Navy advances with the Harpoon Service Life Extension Programme
The US Navy plans to improve Harpoon’s anti-ship and land attack capabilities by equipping the missiles with sensors and technologies required for succeeding in future battlespace.
-
![Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear]()
Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear
The Canadian government remains tight-lipped on the timeline and funding required for the next steps of its Canadian Submarine Patrol Project, which should offer improved capabilities for the country’s navy.
-
![Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection]()
Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection
With Australia’s selection of the Mogami-class for Project Sea 3000, Mitsubishi is investigating local production in the next decade as potential export opportunities emerge.
-
![Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions]()
Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions
The new sonar is designed to equip uncrewed underwater vessels, with the potential to be used by the Royal Navy for its Atlantic Bastion and Atlantic Net missions.
-
![Hanwha wins Australian government approval to increase its stake in Austal]()
Hanwha wins Australian government approval to increase its stake in Austal
The contract would mean the two shipbuilders can collaborate strategically and enhance shipbuilding capabilities in Western Australia.
