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.

FMI: www.navy.mil