The first carrier in the new Ford-class, Gerald R. Ford is the beginning of a new era of aircraft carriers, following the iconic Nimitz-class. It is the first aircraft carrier to be completely designed using a three-dimensional product model. The overall manpower savings to the Navy is expected to be approximately $4 billion over its 50-year life.
Video: "CVN 78: 3D Build"
What is new in the Ford-class?
The Ford-class has adopted a new “flexible infrastructure,” a track system that allows for easy reconfiguration of a space. Other updates include flight deck changes, a redesigned island, electromagnetic catapult, 2.5 times more electrical power, and reduced overall weight. Read more about Ford-class technology
Gerald R. Ford's Hull Reaches 100 Percent Structural Completion
May 7, 2013 - Newport News Shipbuilding hoisted the last piece of primary structure onto the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The 66-metric-ton unit is the forward end of one of the ship's catapults, which is used to launch aircraft from the ship. The lift was the last of 162 superlifts for the carrier and brings more than three years of structural erection work to a close.
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Christening
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Delivery