Gerald R. Ford Class CVN

[fredymac]

A lot of info except the one we are all talking about. What is the expected build cost once the design is fixed and the build process is stable and repetitive. This is the $2 Billion B-2 cost bogey (back when a billion meant something).

 

[fredymac]

Projected cost of CVN 80 is $12.3Billion in 2028 dollars which probably means $9.7Billion today. I assume the build process will still have some improvements after unit 3.

 

[Arjen]

So who do YOU trust? Where do YOU go to find your gun camera footage?

 

[fredymac]

So who do YOU trust? Where do YOU go to find your gun camera footage?

The gun.

 

[JohnR]

A feature which surprises me; given the efforts to reduce manning, and keep maintenance to a minimum, is that the ESSM are in a conventional Mk29 launcher and not quad packed into a Mk41 VLS. From what I can see there is more than enough room of the port side sponson can't find a photo showing the starboard side, but I assume it's similar. Could it be a weight issue?

 

[TomS]

A feature which surprises me; given the efforts to reduce manning, and keep maintenance to a minimum, is that the ESSM are in a conventional Mk29 launcher and not quad packed into a Mk41 VLS. From what I can see there is more than enough room of the port side sponson can't find a photo showing the starboard side, but I assume it's similar. Could it be a weight issue?

The explanation I have received many years ago is that they rejected VLS because of concerns that the discarded TVC booster cans from ESSM could end up landing on the flight deck and potentially damaging parked aircraft and/or starting a flight deck fire (like Forrestal). Hence the occasional interest in Cocoon/Adaptive Deck Launcher. I'm genuinely surprised it hasn't happened yet.

 

[JohnR]

Couldn't that be avoided by a cold launch system as fitted to CAMM.

 

[Moose]

There's still potential to foul the deck if a CL fails, and it has the same issues about clearing aircraft parked on the deck edge that a hot V launch has. Plus, development of a CL variant for ESSM, and a CL-compatible point-defense-missile-size launcher, is money the Navy just isn't interested in spending.

 

[aonestudio]

Navy Shifts Future Carrier JFK to Single-Phase Delivery With F-35C Modifications Included - USNI News

The Navy today issued a contract modification to move its next Ford-class aircraft carrier to a more traditional single-phase delivery, with the intention of getting the future John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) in deployable shape on a faster timeline. JFK was previously slated to go through a two-phase...

news.usni.org

 

[jsport]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

 

[SSgtC]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

Seeing as Esper just got fired yesterday, I doubt his ideas will see much traction. Not to mention this entire administration is about to be out on its rear in a couple months

 

[bobbymike]

Aboard USS Ford: More Weapons, More Launches, Faster & Safer - Breaking Defense

SOMEWHERE OFF THE EAST COAST: When our aging C-2 Greyhound aircraft took off from the USS Gerald R. Ford the experience was clearly different. Propelled by the electro-magnetic system that has replaced steam catapults it was much smoother and much quicker. The new launch and landing systems...

breakingdefense.com

 

[ReprobateJoeshmoe]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

Seeing as Esper just got fired yesterday, I doubt his ideas will see much traction. Not to mention this entire administration is about to be out on its rear in a couple months

That has yet to be seen with the lawsuits and all. If current one does leave, it really depends on what the lawmakers do and who has the control so would assume.

 

[SSgtC]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

Seeing as Esper just got fired yesterday, I doubt his ideas will see much traction. Not to mention this entire administration is about to be out on its rear in a couple months

That has yet to be seen with the lawsuits and all. If current one does leave, it really depends on what the lawmakers do and who has the control so would assume.

Yeah, no. He lost.

 

[ReprobateJoeshmoe]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

Seeing as Esper just got fired yesterday, I doubt his ideas will see much traction. Not to mention this entire administration is about to be out on its rear in a couple months

That has yet to be seen with the lawsuits and all. If current one does leave, it really depends on what the lawmakers do and who has the control so would assume.

Yeah, no. He lost.

Again you may be right but the process is playing out. Remember algore took 37 days for a single state.

 

[SSgtC]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

Seeing as Esper just got fired yesterday, I doubt his ideas will see much traction. Not to mention this entire administration is about to be out on its rear in a couple months

That has yet to be seen with the lawsuits and all. If current one does leave, it really depends on what the lawmakers do and who has the control so would assume.

Yeah, no. He lost.

Again you may be right but the process is playing out. Remember algore took 37 days for a single state.

The GSA has already authorized the transition to President-Elect Biden

 

[ReprobateJoeshmoe]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

Seeing as Esper just got fired yesterday, I doubt his ideas will see much traction. Not to mention this entire administration is about to be out on its rear in a couple months

That has yet to be seen with the lawsuits and all. If current one does leave, it really depends on what the lawmakers do and who has the control so would assume.

Yeah, no. He lost.

Again you may be right but the process is playing out. Remember algore took 37 days for a single state.

The GSA has already authorized the transition to President-Elect Biden

Ya so what the current president has not conceded. Again what’s the rush. If the shoe was on the other foot I think many would want to afford that person the ability to take legal action. You very well may be right. Hope this doesn’t turn in to the space force thread we’re the posts were removed.

 

[ReprobateJoeshmoe]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

Seeing as Esper just got fired yesterday, I doubt his ideas will see much traction. Not to mention this entire administration is about to be out on its rear in a couple months

That has yet to be seen with the lawsuits and all. If current one does leave, it really depends on what the lawmakers do and who has the control so would assume.

Yeah, no. He lost.

Again you may be right but the process is playing out. Remember algore took 37 days for a single state.

The GSA has already authorized the transition to President-Elect Biden

Is there really any possibility to grow the navy? I think who ever is next in line should continue the process of improving are military.

 

[ReprobateJoeshmoe]

SECDEF Esper’s ‘Battle Force 2045’ Plan Still Awaiting White House Approval - USNI News

Two weeks after Defense Secretary Mark Esper unveiled the outline for his Battle Force 2045 initiative to grow the Navy to more than 500 ships, the Trump administration has yet to give final approval. A week before Esper’s Oct. 6 speech outlining the bullet points of the fleet proposal that...

news.usni.org

Seeing as Esper just got fired yesterday, I doubt his ideas will see much traction. Not to mention this entire administration is about to be out on its rear in a couple months

That has yet to be seen with the lawsuits and all. If current one does leave, it really depends on what the lawmakers do and who has the control so would assume.

Yeah, no. He lost.

Again you may be right but the process is playing out. Remember algore took 37 days for a single state.

The GSA has already authorized the transition to President-Elect Biden

I was wondering if you could answer my question? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Fighter_(FSF-1)
I know the navy has the spearhead class. Is there any possibility of the navy pursuing something similar for that’s in the same vein as a frigate?

 

[TomS]

No, the USN isn't interested in a catamaran hull frigate or anything like FSF-1. They tried something akin to a seaframe concept with LCS and it was a fiasco. The USN is now very much committed to a conventional design for FFG(X).

 

[Josh_TN]

The Ford class isn’t going anywhere. Smaller carriers aren’t less vulnerable, just cheaper targets with less capacity and flexibility. Practically aside, institutional inertia and pork barrel politics will ensure that production continues.

 

[bring_it_on]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1SYxSvg_0k

 

[helmutkohl]

Pentagon had some harsh words on EMALS and AAG

Pentagon’s weapons tester faults EMALS and AAG – Alert 5

 

[Cordy]

The Ford class isn’t going anywhere. Smaller carriers aren’t less vulnerable, just cheaper targets with less capacity and flexibility. Practically aside, institutional inertia and pork barrel politics will ensure that production continues.

Pentagon had some harsh words on EMALS and AAG

Pentagon’s weapons tester faults EMALS and AAG – Alert 5

Bloomberg report on the yet to be released 2020 report by the DoD DOT&E, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, on CVN-78 /Ford EMALS and AAG, Behler is the Director of DOT&E. When full DOT&E report released Fords other problematic systems will be highlighted. In 2019 Congresswoman Elaine Luria, ex navy commander said "We’ve invested $13 billion in a nuclear-powered berthing barge"

Aircraft takeoff and landing systems on the USS Gerald R. Ford remain unreliable and break down too often more than three years after the $13.2 billion carrier was delivered, according to the Pentagon’s top tester.

The Ford’s new systems -- which propel planes off the deck and into the sky and then snag them on landing -- are crucial to justifying the expense of what’s now a four-vessel, $57 billion program intended to replace the current Nimitz class of aircraft carriers.

Behler’s assessment covered 3,975 launches and landing operations on the Ford during 11 at-sea, post-delivery trials from November 2019 through September 2020. The electromagnetic-powered catapult system is supposed to operate 4,166 “cycles,” or launches, between operational mission failures. Instead, it went 181 cycles between failures, or “well below the requirement,” Behler wrote. He didn’t detail the scope or severity of the problems.

Two separate failures last year caused the catapults to go down for three days, Behler wrote. The Navy acknowledged one in June. The system’s reliability concerns “are exacerbated” by a design that precludes some maintenance during flight operations, according to Behler.

The latest performance of the Ford’s new “Advanced Arresting Gear” to stop planes on landing, a system projected to cost almost $1 billion, also raised “reliability concerns,” Behler wrote. It’s supposed to operate landings, or recoveries, between operational mission failures. Instead, it averaged only 48 recoveries, also “well below the requirement,” Behler wrote.

A capacitor also failed during maintenance trouble-shooting in port that took the crew seven days to fix. “The reliability concerns are magnified” by the current design that limits “corrective maintenance on below-deck equipment during flight operations, “ Behler wrote.

PS The first set of EMALS components were delivered by GA to CVN-78 in 2011 and the $13 billion quoted by the Congresswomen as cost of the Ford is 2008$, CBO states that's $16.2 billion in 2019$.

From <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...arrier-ever-struggles-to-get-jets-on-off-deck>

 

[Firefinder]

Sad thing is as bad as the Ford is doing now...

She is still doing better then the USS Nimitz did when she was first in 1975, and at least the Ford doesn't list only took the navy almost 50 years to fix that problem. And they needed a new class to do so...

Remember the Nimitz shake down was bad enough that her line nearly end with her and we nearly got CVVs instead.

The only difference between the Nimitz having all the issues in the 1970 to 80s and the Ford having issues now is the fact that EVERYONE can get the information of the teething issues thanks to the magic of the internet. Compare to barely a few thousand that got the paper subscribion to the few books in the 70s.

Doesn't help that for all intents purposes that Ford is very much a clean sheet design, new hull, new radar, new reactors, Etc... And its been over 50 years since the Nimitz was design. There was going to be issues no matter what was put in it so long as it wasn't another copy.

Give her a few more years. We been spoiled by the near routine of a Nimitz class christion for the last 40 years and being basically on time that people forgot that a new design means new issues to iron out. Which means it needs more time and money to do.

It would have helped to do better testing and mock ups for the EMALs though..

But i bet anything that in five years all of us will be talking about how greet the EMAL is and poking fun at those who said to tear it out.

 

[Hydroman]

Nothing that complex with new or cutting edge technology works right out of the box, this is reason why we test and evaluate. Modeling, simulation and other analytical tools have really evolved but you have to test. I worked the B-2, YF-23 and was former Navy, again, test and evaluate, you gotta work the bugs out, very simple formula.

 

[sferrin]

Nothing that complex with new or cutting edge technology works right out of the box, this is reason why we test and evaluate. Modeling, simulation and other analytical tools have really evolved but you have to test. I worked the B-2, YF-23 and was former Navy, again, test and evaluate, you gotta work the bugs out, very simple formula.

Which is why SpaceX is making so much progress on Starship compared to SLS.

 

[Hydroman]

Nothing that complex with new or cutting edge technology works right out of the box, this is reason why we test and evaluate. Modeling, simulation and other analytical tools have really evolved but you have to test. I worked the B-2, YF-23 and was former Navy, again, test and evaluate, you gotta work the bugs out, very simple formula.

Which is why SpaceX is making so much progress on Starship compared to SLS.

sferrin, I agree, this is why SpaceX is progressing nicely, they are doing a lot testing including sacrificial testing as well, NASA has they're own issues to deal with which is always a universal constant unfortunately.

 

[helmutkohl]

random question. but has the F-35B ever been tested for take offs, landings, or other operational stuff on the Ford? (Or any other CTOL carriers?0

 

[bring_it_on]

No. Since the Marines also operate the F-35C there is little point (not to mention that a vertical landing would entail a significant change to how aircraft are positioned on the deck).

 

[Grey Havoc]

Report to Congress on Gerald R. Ford Carrier Program - USNI News

The following is the Feb. 18, 2021, Congressional Research Service report, Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress. From the report Congress, as part of its action on the Navy’s FY2021 budget, provided a total of $2,565.4 million (i.e., about $2.6...

news.usni.org

 

[Josh_TN]

No. Since the Marines also operate the F-35C there is little point (not to mention that a vertical landing would entail a significant change to how aircraft are positioned on the deck).

The Wasp class needed significant changes to its deck coating to be able to take the hot downward exhaust of the STOVL landing; I'm willing to bet not only would F-35B totally screw up the deck layout and landing cycle but also damage the flight deck top coat. My understanding is even transitioning to helo ops from fixing wing ops is a pain in the ass.

 

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aSuYN7cmqg

 

[Josh_TN]

Thanks, I always wondered why the last couple Nimitz dropped to three, and explanation of the below deck machinery makes sense.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Though it seems to have ultimately backfired on the Navy, especially with regards as to the Ford-class, though I think they never really did get the hoped for savings on those Nimitz-class CVNs they first tried it out on, due in part to much increased wear and tear on equipment. (There appears to have been at least some wishful thinking in play when they then decided to go ahead and incorporate the three wire system into the Ford design.) Not to mention there are still ongoing concerns about reduced safety margins, especially in regards to things like landing in rough weather conditions and trying to recover damaged aircraft. The continuing problems with the new Advanced Arresting Gear system on the Fords (which has turned out to have quite a few cut corners and other design defects) has only amplified these concerns.

I think a major factor in the adoption of the three wires system by the USN was the assumption that, along with the IFLOLS landing light system introduced in the late 1990s, new lower cost automated landing systems that were under development (ultimately resulting in the MAGIC CARPET/PLM of the late 2010s) would cover for any shortcomings in the move to a three wire system. Things haven't quite worked out that way however.

 

[Grey Havoc]

USS Gerald R. Ford Welcomes DGA and French Navy Aboard - Naval News

Officers from the DGA and French Navy embarked USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during the carrier’s final independent steaming event (ISE 18) of post-delivery test and trials (PDT&T), Apr. 23-24.

www.navalnews.com

USS Gerald R Ford achieves key milestone during PDT&T period

US Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford has achieved a key milestone during the final independent steaming event of her PDT&T period.

www.naval-technology.com

 

[seruriermarshal]

USS Gerald R. Ford closes out evolutionary 18-month PDT&T for first-in-class aircraft carrier
By Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers Public Affairs

–
NORFOLK, Va. -- USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completed its 18-month post-delivery test and trials (PDT&T) period on 30 April, after finishing Combat Systems Ship’s Qualification Trials (CSSQT) in mid-April with an exceptional performance. Since the October 2019 start of PDT&T, the ship completed all required testing, certified the flight deck, embarked the air wing, accomplished work ahead of schedule, and improved system reliability for new technologies, while serving as the primary East Coast carrier qualification platform for fleet naval aviators.

When CVN 78 completed CSSQT in mid-April—the final milestone before closing out the ship’s demanding 18-month post-delivery test and trials (PDT&T) phase of operations, the Navy team had a sense it was making history aboard the first-in-class aircraft carrier.

Saved News Module

 

[Firefinder]

Today on June 18 2021 The Ford has undergone the first of the class shock trial testing about 100 miles off the coast of Florida. That is honestly one of the fastest to shock trials for a CVN.

DVIDS - USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) Full Ship Shock Trials

www.dvidshub.net

 

[aonestudio]

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completes the first scheduled explosive event of Full Ship Shock Trials while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, June 18, 2021.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Completes First Full Ship Shock Trial Event

On Friday, June 18, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully completed the first scheduled explosive event as part of Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST).

www.navy.mil

Full Ship Shock Trials 1

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completes the first scheduled explosive event of Full Ship Shock Trials while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, June 18, 2021. The U.S. Navy conducts shock trials of new ship designs using live explosives to confirm that our warships can continue to...

www.dvidshub.net

 

[In_A_Dream]

What kind of explosives are they using there?