Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) building update

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

Approved for release :D

The 680-metric ton lower bow unit was joined to the other keel sections that comprise the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) yesterday. It is one of the heaviest superlifts to be placed on the ship.



http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/14858/hires/13928.jpg

[bradc6]

:seasix:

[Sea Six]

I've got some Rust-o-leum I'll sell you.

[Blademaker]

:cool1:

[mrvette]

Those bow dicks are always the oddest looking things on a ship....see them when the boats are outta the water/unloaded, looks so strange, but I know why they are there...

:kimblair::leaving:

[R.Zaragoza]

:seasix:

[syf350]

Those bow dicks are always the oddest looking things on a ship....see them when the boats are outta the water/unloaded, looks so strange, but I know why they are there...

:kimblair::leaving:

didnt some kid come up with the concept in a bathtub with his toy boats?

[Aflac]

hope it doesn't fall down like his namesake...

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

FYI,
Here is the same going on George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) back on Mar. 8, 2005 :) A little different design :leaving:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/027712.jpg

[jaxgator]

:cool1:

[VatorMan]

Bulbous bow. Helps with ship stability.

[joecaver]

I would love to witness a super lift in person. :hurray:

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

I would love to witness a super lift in person. :hurray:

I can assure you the crane operator(s) have a great view :D

http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/14858/hires/11891.jpg

A few facts:

It is the largest Goliath gantry crane in the Western Hemisphere


The crane's capacity was upgraded in 2008 from 900 metric tons to 1,050 metric tons


The crane is 233 feet tall with a 540-foot span from leg to leg

Dead weight of the crane is more than 4,600 metric tons (10 million pounds)

Each hoist (three total) has more than one mile of 1-5/8-inch diameter wire rope

At full lift capacity, "Big Blue" uses enough power for 114 homes

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

The gallery deck to flight deck bridge assembly was placed on the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) last month. The 1,026-metric ton unit is the heaviest that will be moved during the ship's construction:seasix:
http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/14858/hires/15991.jpg

[Cybercowboy]

They need to construct this in space so there isn't a corrosion issue. :D

[DukeAllen]

They need to construct this in space so there isn't a corrosion issue. :D

:iagree:
http://museum.theclubhouse1.net/submissions/images/startrek.jpg

[Gozar]

:cool1::cool1::cool1::flag:

[73sbVert]

didnt some kid come up with the concept in a bathtub with his toy boats?

Naw, naval engineers studied undersea life and adopted the design of the whale's nose for both subs and ships.

The CVN-78 ballast bulb isn't really any different from other surface ships, just bigger and a little more shapely due to the amount of water the rest of the ship following the bow is displacing.

:D

[mike100]

I have to go out to the shipyard to do some equip retrofits on the emals launcher parts stockpiled there. How cold does it get in the winter?

[joecaver]

Thanks for updating this thread. Cool pic :seasix:

[jaxgator]

Thanks for updating this thread. Cool pic :seasix:

:iagree:

I wanted to see what she is supposed to look like once completed and found the following artist's rendition.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Cvnx_isometric_concept_image.jpg/1280px-Cvnx_isometric_concept_image.jpg

Full resolution image here (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Cvnx_isometric_concept_image.jpg).

[DJ_Critterus]

didnt some kid come up with the concept in a bathtub with his toy boats?

I see what you did there :funnier:

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

I have to go out to the shipyard to do some equip retrofits on the emals launcher parts stockpiled there. How cold does it get in the winter?

was 32 last night...................down to 20 with 30 knts on FD is the winter norm:)

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

12-19-12, Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Hits the 90 Percent Mark for Structural Completion with the addition of a 140-foot long, 391-metric ton sponson, one of the largest to be erected.
http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/14858/hires/17307.jpg

[Stangkiller]

That is something else! Very cool!

[wwomanC6]

It amazes me all the rust on a new ship being built!

[Cybercowboy]

It amazes me all the rust on a new ship being built!

It's just minor surface rust. It will be sandblasted nice and shiny before they apply the coatings on the hull and superstructure. No point in doing anything about it until all the welding is done. I'm sure they monitor the corrosion and if any part of it starts getting actually corroded to the point it starts to be a problem they will treat those areas right away, in a temporary fashion.

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

I can't go into a lot of detail, but this has been released:
The ship is red and orange from rust and painted with yellow and green primer in parts. It will be power-washed, grit blasted and painted gray along with the rest of the ship before it's finished. It will get the Navy's haze grey months from now as shipbuilders prepare to put it in the James River next summer.

CC pretty much hit the nail on the head :cert:

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

Yesterday the Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Topped Off with 555-Metric Ton Island House
The 60-foot long, 30-foot wide island was the 452nd lift of the nearly 500 total lifts. The ship is about 90 percent structurally complete.


http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/14858/hires/17822.jpg

[OddBall]

They should bring those two nutjobs that took a couple of shots at President Ford to the christening. You know, just to rub it in.

[Sea Six]

They should use the live skulls of those two nutjobs that took a couple of shots at President Ford for the christening. You know, just to rub it in.

FIFY

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

The flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford is complete following the addition of the ship's upper bow section on April 9 at Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). The bow weighs 787 metric tons

The upper bow extends the overall length of the carrier to its full size, which is 1,106 feet—equal to a 75-story building lying on its side.

http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/14858/hires/19089.jpg

[Norm]

Quite impressive, no doubt. :seasix:

[OddBall]

Damn cool! :cool1:

[DAB]

cool.

super duper jig saw puzzle, expert master edition...

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

Newport News Shipbuilding's 1,050-metric ton gantry crane lifted the forward end of one of aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) catapults into place Tuesday, bringing more than three years of structural erection work to a close.

http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/14858/hires/19569.jpg

The Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Aircraft Carrier's Primary Hull Structure Reaches 100 Percent Completion

:flag:

[CBonsall]

:thumbs: once they have finished with all the heavy lifting, how long until she is released to the navy?

[73sbVert]

:thumbs: once they have finished with all the heavy lifting, how long until she is released to the navy?

There's at least another two or three years of work to go yet. Putting in all the rest of the systems, sensors, checkouts, floating out of the drydock, sea trials, etc.

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

Tomorrow at 11am, we will be christening the first ship in the next-generation class of aircraft carriers — Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

Some more pics & info:

http://www.thefordclass.com/photos/DCS13-643-67.jpg

http://www.thefordclass.com/photos/DCS12-1307-32.jpg

http://www.thefordclass.com/photos/DCS13-471-267.jpg

http://www.thefordclass.com/photos/DCS13-375-938.jpg

http://www.thefordclass.com/photos/DCS13-375-1071.jpg




About 5,000 American shipbuilders
are participating in the building of
Aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN
78).

At completion, Ford will weigh nearly
100,000 tons—as much as 400
Statues of Liberty.
200,000 gallons of Haze Gray paint
cover CVN 78—enough to give the
White House 350 coats of paint.

Ford has been called a “floating city,”
holding 4,660 personnel and 75
aircraft

The carrier has a 5‐acre flight deck

Ford produces 400,000 gallons of fresh water per day

The ship produces 15,000 meals a day

Ford can reach speeds in excess of 30+ knots Powering the Future CVN 78 is the first aircraft carrier to make a significant leap to electrical power, replacing many legacy steam‐powered systems and preparing the ship for future technologies.
The new electrical distribution system increases electrical capacity by 250 percent.

An Electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), similar to the system that powers many of today’s roller coasters, replaces steam catapults, enabling a smoother launch for the airwing of the future.

Ten million feet of electrical cable is installed on Ford, enough cable to span the distance from Washington, DC to Albuquerque, NM.

Four million feet of fiber optic cable is installed on Ford, the length of more than 7,200 Washington monuments stacked on top of each other.

Designed for Efficiency CVN 78 is the most efficient aircraft carrier ever designed, reducing necessary maintenance by 30 percent.

The ship’s design enables the Navy to operate the ship with less manpower, saving the Navy more than $4 billion over the ship’s 50‐year life.

9,900 tons of air conditioning reduces maintenance caused by humidity and reduces required
manning in hot spaces.

About 44,000 high‐efficiency fluorescent T‐8 light bulbs will be used, which produce more light and last nearly twice as long.

[mike100]

I was just on it last week. I heard it will just clear the drydock by inches and will have to wait for the optimal tide etc before they yank it out. They wouldn't let us get our gear on it until the same weight was removed by another crew.

When they put it in the river, it will be so much easier for our group since we will be in walking distance to the gangway from our trailer.

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

I was just on it last week. I heard it will just clear the drydock by inches and will have to wait for the optimal tide etc before they yank it out. They wouldn't let us get our gear on it until the same weight was removed by another crew.

When they put it in the river, it will be so much easier for our group since we will be in walking distance to the gangway from our trailer.

:D

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

I was just on it last week. I heard it will just clear the drydock by inches and will have to wait for the optimal tide etc before they yank it out. They wouldn't let us get our gear on it until the same weight was removed by another crew.

When they put it in the river, it will be so much easier for our group since we will be in walking distance to the gangway from our trailer.

:D


http://www.thefordclass.com/photos/DCS13-476-330.jpg

[OddBall]

What are all the tarps for? To keep weather and prying eyes out?

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

What are all the tarps for? To keep weather and prying eyes out?

:seasix:
I will have some good pics later today..........maybe others as well???:USA:

[Bill]

Awaiting details about future carrier CVN 79, the USS Barack Obama.


:hide:









Seriously, though, great pics, OP!

[Fasglas]

Awaiting details about future carrier CVN 79, the USS Barack Obama.


http://jokes.conservativepapers.com/files/2012/08/USS-Barack-Obama.jpg

[mike100]

These are all old pictures because they don't allow cameras. The tarping and island scaffolding is all removed for the christening and impending movement out of drydock.

[09CTSV]

Read a note on Yahoo how the commissioning is being pushed back probably 2 years due to issues and budget constraints.

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_024.JPG

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_021.JPG

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_010.JPG

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_011.JPG

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_009.JPG

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_014.JPG

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_019.JPG

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_027.JPG

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

she smacked the hell out it too!

http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/imagelibrary/downloadmedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=789&SizeId=-1


With one swift swing, Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and sponsor of the aircraft carrier bearing his name, smashed a bottle of American sparkling wine across the bow to christen the ship. Also pictured (left to right) are Capt. John Meier, commanding officer, CVN 78; U.S. Sen. Carl Levin; and Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin. Photo by Chris Oxley

[Bill]

she smacked the hell out it too!

http://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/imagelibrary/downloadmedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=789&SizeId=-1


With one swift swing, Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Gerald R. Ford and sponsor of the aircraft carrier bearing his name, smashed a bottle of American sparkling wine across the bow to christen the ship. Also pictured (left to right) are Capt. John Meier, commanding officer, CVN 78; U.S. Sen. Carl Levin; and Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin. Photo by Chris Oxley

I see all kinds of safety problems in this shot. Where is the ANSI71 approved eye protection? Face shields? Cut resistant gloves?

Someone could have been hurt by the flying glass shards. Looks like a case of special rules for special people.

[Fasglas]

Apparently, Sen. Levin is so busy, there's no time for a shoe shine...

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

They made some special beer for the event..........I haven't tried it yet

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/cvn78_beer-fire_out_frony_11-11-13_013.JPG

[Thunder22]

what is this a picture of? Is it the top of the control tower/island?

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_027.JPG

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

what is this a picture of? Is it the top of the control tower/island?

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/photopost/direct_data/1511/CVN78_10-9-2013_027.JPG

:seasix:

The island has a composite mast with planar array radars, a volume search radar operating at S band and a multifunction radar at X band, and also carries the stern-facing joint precision approach and landing system (JPALS), which is based on local area differential global positioning system (GPS), rather than radar.

[mike100]

out of drydock I heard...

http://cf.gcaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1456045_660556017322547_559611497_n-635x422.jpg