WIP Pictures of USS Gerald R. Ford

[TheCommandTent]

The United States is building its next generation of aircraft carrier, the FORD-class carriers. The U.S. Navy gave us access to photograph construction of the USS Gerald R. Ford at Newport News Shipbuilding, Virgina.

The numbers behind the USS Gerald R. Ford are impressive; about $14 billion in total cost, 224 million pounds, about 25 stories high, 1,106 feet long and 250 feet wide. But the sheer enormity of the ship and construction operation is hard to grasp until you're nearly face-to-metal with the massive military beast.

At Newport News Shipbuilding the power of new technology and 100 years of carrier design is built into every facet of the new ship. The Ford will handle up to 220 takeoffs and landings from its deck every day. Part of that quick turnaround is because when aircraft like the new F-35 return for maintenance, the plane's network will already have alerted ground crews to what's needed so they can get the aircraft on its way faster than ever before.

Some very interesting WIP pictures at the link.

http://finance.yahoo.com/photos/check-out-the-construction-of-the-most-expensive-ship-ever-uss-gerald-r-ford-slideshow/1-uss-gerald-r-ford-photo-1374772152547.html

[mirth]

Good find. Thanks, Tent.

[Centurion40]

Nothing personifies US military might better than an aircraft carrier.

[undercovergeek]

its just my noobishness but i didnt think it would be rusty already! or made of rusty panels - are we looking at the outer untreated skin or is this the armour or the bit under the armour?

[GDS_Starfury]

Untreated non painted hull.

[undercovergeek]

so the armours underneath what we're looking at?

or is it just one big piece and not a seperate layer of armour?

[GDS_Starfury]

Carrieres aren't armored the way old battleships were.

[undercovergeek]

ahhh - thats me all educated up then

does it take much to put a hole in? im thinking missile not torpedo

[GDS_Starfury]

Its not easy.  There may not have a 2 foot belt of armor bt they have layer after layer of 2 inch bulkheads and tight compartments.

[BanzaiCat]

Makes me wonder how big the next generation after the Ford-class will be. Imperial Star Destroyer, anyone?

[GDS_Starfury]

its really not that much bigger or heavier then a Nimitz class.  the size is pretty much restricted by things like the Panama and Suez canal.

[BanzaiCat]

Well, 10% bigger than the Nimitz isn't much, compared to the overall behemoth size both are, but 10,000 tons is about a Ticonderoga right there.

Good read and great pics.