Big E Strike Group

The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) leads the formation as the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, comprised of guided-missle cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Nitze (DDG 94) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), transit the Atlantic March 18. US Navy Video/Released

April 02, 2012


Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Reaches 75% Structural Completion

It’s an exciting week for aircraft carrier fans— on Wednesday, Huntington Ingalls Industries, the builder of America’s next aircraft carrier, announced that the new carrier, Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), is 75% structurally complete!

Ford, the lead-ship in the new class of carriers, has been under construction at HII’s Newport News shipyard since November 2009. It’s set to be delivered to the U.S. navy in 2015.

The first piece of the flight deck for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was erected April 7. The 717-metric ton unit includes combat systems and electronics spaces. Photo by Chris Oxley

The first piece of the flight deck for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was erected April 7. The 717-metric ton unit includes combat systems and electronics spaces. Photo by Chris Oxley

Wondering what’s different in the new Ford-Class of carriers? Check out our latest infographic and find out. Here.

April 20, 2012


Ultimate Weapons- Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier

Great video from the Military Channel about Nimitz-Class carriers.

(Source: http)

April 27, 2012


USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Fun Facts

As the lead ship in the Nimitz-class of aircraft carriers USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has the unique distinction of not being named after an elected official. In fact, USS Nimitz only uses the surname of her namesake, Chester W. Nimitz, unlike all other carriers in her class.

To help celebrate her birthday, here are some fun facts about the ship:

Nickname: Old Salt

Motto: Teamwork, a tradition

Badge:

 

Displacement: 100,000 long tons

Length: 1,092 feet

Height: Over 18 stories high from the keel to the top of the mast

Commissioned: May 3, 1975, at Pier 12, Naval Station Norfolk, VA. by the Honorable Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States

May 03, 2012


Best in Class

Forty years after the first Nimitz-class carrier, the first of a new class is being built in the docks of Newport News Shipbuilding: Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The ship features new technology that will save the Navy money.

The new design brings many performance improvements, including:

  • 25 percent increase in sortie generation rate
  • 2.5 times electrical generation capacity over the Nimitz-class
  • Manpower reduction of 500 billets
  • The new carrier class was redesigned from the keel to the mast of the island house. 

Among the improvements:

  • New reactor and propulsion plants
  • Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), an improvement over steam catapult system
  • New island
  • All electric ship
  • Major space rearrangement
  • Flight deck extensions
  • Advanced arresting gear
May 07, 2012


Life aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is more complex and busy than many of us realize. It takes a lot of hard work from the sailors aboard USS Enterprise to keep things runnings up to the U.S. Navy’s high standards.

May 11, 2012


USS George Washington’s sea trials

USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed Japan and sailed into open waters Friday to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship’s next patrol. The trials are a certification process that ensures the ship, its equipment and crew are prepared for extended periods at sea.


Sailors prepare smoke canisters on the fantail of USS George Washington (CVN 73) for use as targets during a weapons familiarization drill.
 


Being instructed on how how to signal the USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) using a signal board while aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73).
 


Preparing to shoot a mooring line to the USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) evolution.


Blowing the whistle to signal his Sailors to begin line-handling as USS George Washington (CVN 73) pulls alongside the USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199). 


Sailors moving to retrieve ammunition during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with the Military Sealift’s Command’s dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6).


Sailors stand by to move weapons during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) 


Directing an SH-60F Seahawk aboard aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).


Getting some direction during the RAS.During the RAS, George Washington took on 1.9 million gallons of JP-5 fuel.

Conducting a test of a .50-caliber machine gun off the fantail during a weapons familiarization drill.


Moving ammunition during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) evolution aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73). During the RAS, George Washington took on approximately 3.7 million pounds of ammunition.

(Source: facebook.com)

May 14, 2012


Watch This: This Is How the Navy Is Building Their New Nuclear Supercarrier Class(via @Gizmodo)

“This is the Gerald R. Ford aircraft supercarrier. She will be the lead ship of the new class that will eventually replace the Nimitz-class supercarriers.”



Click here to read the rest of the article.

May 21, 2012