New Carrier Class Honors Former Sailor And US President
Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced Tuesday
the selection of USS Gerald R. Ford as the name of the first
aircraft carrier in what will be the Gerald R. Ford class of
carriers.
This selection honors the 38th President of the United States
and pays tribute to his lifetime of service in the Navy, in the US
government and to the nation.
"President Gerald R. Ford provided the United States great
leadership at a time of constitutional crisis," said Winter. "I am
honored to have the opportunity to name the first ship in the new
class of aircraft carriers after this great sailor, this great
leader, this great man."
During World War II, President Ford attained the rank of
lieutenant commander in the Navy, and served on the light
carrier, USS Monterey. After the war he returned to Grand
Rapids, MI, where he began the practice of law, and entered
political life.
The Navy says its future aircraft carriers will be the premier
forward asset for crisis response and early decisive striking power
in a major combat operation. The Gerald R. Ford class of carriers
will provide forward presence, rapid response, endurance on
station, and multi-mission capability. The new carriers balance
improved warfighting capability, quality of life improvements
for sailors and reduced acquisition and life cycle costs, says
the Navy.
Among the improvements listed on the Navy's website:
- New propulsion plant design that includes a 50% reduction in
the number of personnel required for plant operation and
maintenance
- Electromagnetic Catapults and Advanced Arresting Gear that
support future airwing configurations including unmanned air
vehicles
-
Improvements in weapons and material
handling designed to more efficiently move ordnance and material
around the ship in support of flight operations
- Improved and enlarged flight deck to support a 25% increase in
sortie generation rate
- New smaller island designed to accommodate a new dual band
radar
- New integrated warfare system including flexible ship
infrastructure design improvements to support future mission
adaptability and flexibility
The new ships will sport two nuclear reactors turning four
shafts with a predicted speed of greater than 30 knots. Expected
length is 1092 feet with a 134 foot beam. Displacement is estimated
at 100,000 tons fully loaded. The ship will accommodate 75+
aircraft including the Joint Strike Fighter, F/A-18E/F, EA-18G,
E-2D, MH-60R/S and Joint-Unmanned Combat Aerial System.
The Navy estimates total cost per ship to be $8.1 billion in
FY08 dollars. The sea service expects to award a construction
contract some time in FY08 with deliveries to begin FY15.