CVN-21 underway!

Northrop Grumman/Litton Ingalls ‘International Frigate’

Wanshan,

could you please post the pic again?. The link to the full size pic doesn’t works.

Thanks in advance

Construction of the next class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers took a major step forward Nov. 30 when the U.S. Navy awarded an $860.6 million contract to shipbuilder Northrop Grumman Newport News.
The yet-to-be-named ship, hull number CVN 78, is the first of the new CVN 21 class. Northrop Grumman will build the carrier at its shipyard in Newport News, Va.
The $754 million contract includes options worth an additional $106.7 million, Northrop Grumman said in a press release. The total value of the CVN 78 contracts to date totals $2.2 billion, according to Northrop.
The ship will have a number of features new to U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, including an Electromagnetic Air Launching System, a new nuclear reactor, an electrical distribution system to enable the future incorporation of directed energy weapons, and a new weapons-handling system.
The latest contract, according to a Pentagon announcement, will support long-lead-time material and non-nuclear advance construction and system development, engineering services and feasibility studies for the Future Aircraft Carrier Program.
Advance procurement for the ship began in 2005. Major construction is planned to begin in fiscal 2008. When it enters service in 2014, the CVN 78 is scheduled to replace the carrier Enterprise, which will be the oldest carrier in service at that time.
Congress has suggested the ship be named for former president Gerald Ford, although the Navy has not made a formal decision.
Northrop Grumman already is building the George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) at its Virginia shipyard. The Bush, ninth and last ship of the Nimitz class, was christened on Oct. 7 and is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2009.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2393409&C=america

Hopefully, they will name it after former President Gerald R. Ford! 😀

I can see it now equipped with stealthy UAV’s and F-35C’s…………oh, and I almost forgot Super Hornets? 🙁

Northrop Gets U.S. Navy Carrier Deal

Construction of the next class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers took a major step forward Nov. 30 when the U.S. Navy awarded an $860.6 million contract to shipbuilder Northrop Grumman Newport News.
The yet-to-be-named ship, hull number CVN 78, is the first of the new CVN 21 class. Northrop Grumman will build the carrier at its shipyard in Newport News, Va.
The $754 million contract includes options worth an additional $106.7 million, Northrop Grumman said in a press release. The total value of the CVN 78 contracts to date totals $2.2 billion, according to Northrop.
The ship will have a number of features new to U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, including an Electromagnetic Air Launching System, a new nuclear reactor, an electrical distribution system to enable the future incorporation of directed energy weapons, and a new weapons-handling system.
The latest contract, according to a Pentagon announcement, will support long-lead-time material and non-nuclear advance construction and system development, engineering services and feasibility studies for the Future Aircraft Carrier Program.
Advance procurement for the ship began in 2005. Major construction is planned to begin in fiscal 2008. When it enters service in 2014, the CVN 78 is scheduled to replace the carrier Enterprise, which will be the oldest carrier in service at that time.
Congress has suggested the ship be named for former president Gerald Ford, although the Navy has not made a formal decision.
Northrop Grumman already is building the George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) at its Virginia shipyard. The Bush, ninth and last ship of the Nimitz class, was christened on Oct. 7 and is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2009.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2393409&C=america

OMG THAT CARRIER LOOKS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BETTER THAN ME!!
i want it 🙁

is it going to be bigger than nimitz?

The Mk 29 is the 8-round, above deck, trainable launcher for Nato Sea Sparrow… not a VLS system.

http://navysite.de/weapons/sparrow.htm

Anyone have a layout of the yard, the company’s website is not very helpful.

I’ve read about Mk 29 cells beling able to take 4-5 RAM before. Not sure it ever became operational but surely possible.

“RAM missiles were to have been installed, four each in two cells of the Mk 29 Sea Sparrow launcher, in the early 1990s, but the modification has been canceled.”
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/dd-963-design.htm

Now that you mention it that rings a bell. My bad. 😮

It would be even more interesting to know what in the world makes you think they can fire RAM missiles out of an 8-cell Sea Sparrow launcher.

I’ve read about Mk 29 cells beling able to take 4-5 RAM before. Not sure it ever became operational but surely possible.

“RAM missiles were to have been installed, four each in two cells of the Mk 29 Sea Sparrow launcher, in the early 1990s, but the modification has been canceled.”
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/dd-963-design.htm

This would suggest possibility of max of 8×4=32 RAM on a mk29 launcher …

IIRC, the Northrop Grumman/Litton Ingalls ‘International Frigate’ – basically a larger version of the Israeli Saar 5 – featured 2 launchers with 2 x 4-5 RAM each, the launcher basically being 2 cells for a Mk29 but on its own smaller mount.

there are three different mk-41 systems. strike length, tactical length and self defence length. the last one has nearly the same high than the mk-48, so i would choose the mk-41.

Yeah the short-length Mk41 does seem to pack them in tighter. (For some reason I was thinking the Mk48 was the short length Mk41 :confused: ) I take it you’re referring to this guy right here?

there are three different mk-41 systems. strike length, tactical length and self defence length. the last one has nearly the same high than the mk-48, so i would choose the mk-41.

On the other hand, a single 8-cell Mk41 would allow 32 ESSM (quadpacked), so two of them would give the carriers 64 ESSM for self defence, in addition to all the RAM/Phalanx units.

The problem with Mk41 is it’s depth. The Mk48 is about half the depth. Just stick a 16 round Mk48 VLS in place of each of the two 8-round Sea Sparrow launchers and you get 32. Make the sponsons that they’re mounted on a bit bigger and you could squeeze 2 Mk48 launchers in there.

So you think that the missile capacity of an aircraft carrier is insufficient? Otherwise you wouldn’t suggest the usage of a basically similar system that only has higher numbers in stock.
I think Sea Sparrow ist not really the big shiny weapon but a better AAA for ships without real air defence capability.

CGN-78 is getting ESSM which is MUCH more capable than Sea Sparrow.

The most useful thing about Sea Sparrow launcher is the ability to carry RAM missiles. Would be interesting to know how infrared fire’n forget weapons can be launched vertically.

It would be even more interesting to know what in the world makes you think they can fire RAM missiles out of an 8-cell Sea Sparrow launcher.

On the other hand, a single 8-cell Mk41 would allow 32 ESSM (quadpacked), so two of them would give the carriers 64 ESSM for self defence, in addition to all the RAM/Phalanx units.

Why not? I’m talking about the Mk48 VLS not Mk41. It would let you carry more rounds

“The Mk 48 VLS used with the Seasparrow requires the same space as a trainable launcher, but can hold up to 16 rounds, twice the number of ready-to-launch missiles. “

As for self defense all US carriers carry self-defense weapons. Typically two 21-round RAM launchers, two 8-cell SeaSparrow launchers, and two or three Phalanx CIWS.

So you think that the missile capacity of an aircraft carrier is insufficient? Otherwise you wouldn’t suggest the usage of a basically similar system that only has higher numbers in stock.
I think Sea Sparrow ist not really the big shiny weapon but a better AAA for ships without real air defence capability. The most useful thing about Sea Sparrow launcher is the ability to carry RAM missiles. Would be interesting to know how infrared fire’n forget weapons can be launched vertically.

Why use VLS? I think self-defence is considered to be cruiser and destroyer escort’s job.

Why not? I’m talking about the Mk48 VLS not Mk41. It would let you carry more rounds

“The Mk 48 VLS used with the Seasparrow requires the same space as a trainable launcher, but can hold up to 16 rounds, twice the number of ready-to-launch missiles. “

As for self defense all US carriers carry self-defense weapons. Typically two 21-round RAM launchers, two 8-cell SeaSparrow launchers, and two or three Phalanx CIWS.

You’d think they’d be able to generate CG imagery that is accurate at least. That island on the CVN-77 is pure fantasy and they can’t seem to be able to figure out if CVN-78 is going to have ESSM in VLS or the 30+ year old 8 cell box launcher.

Why use VLS? I think self-defence is considered to be cruiser and destroyer escort’s job.

You’d think they’d be able to generate CG imagery that is accurate at least. That island on the CVN-77 is pure fantasy and they can’t seem to be able to figure out if CVN-78 is going to have ESSM in VLS or the 30+ year old 8 cell box launcher.

I can’t wait to see a picture of a mixed fleet of CVF’s and CVN-21’s! 😀

Gerald Ford is not such a bad name from some angles. Ford was a US Navy officer during WW2.

From the Wikipedia entry covering the relevent period

Ford received a commission as ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 13 April 1942. On 20 April, he reported for active duty to the V-5 instructor school at Annapolis, Maryland. After one month of training, he went to Navy Preflight School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he was one of 83 instructors and taught elementary seamanship, ordnance, gunnery, first aid, and military drill. In addition, he coached in all nine sports that were offered, but mostly in swimming, boxing and football. During the one year, he was at the Preflight School, he was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade on 2 June 1942, and to Lieutenant on March 1943.

Applying for sea duty, Ford was sent in May 1943 to the pre-commissioning detachment for a new small aircraft carrier, the USS Monterey, at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. From the ship’s commissioning on 17 June 1943 until the end of December 1944, Ford served as the assistant navigator, Athletic Officer, and antiaircraft battery officer on board the Monterey. While he was on board, the Monterey participated in many actions in the Pacific with the Third and Fifth Fleets during the fall of 1943 and in 1944. In 1943, the carrier helped secure Makin Island in the Gilberts, and participated in carrier strikes against Kavieng, New Ireland in 1943. During the spring of 1944, the Monterey supported landings at Kwajalein and Eniwetok and participated in carrier strikes in the Marianas, Western Carolines, and northern New Guinea, as well as in the Battle of Philippine Sea. After overhaul, from September to November 1944, aircraft from the Monterey launched strikes against Wake Island, participated in strikes in the Philippines and Ryukus, and supported the landings at Leyte and Mindoro.

Although the ship was not damaged by the Japanese forces, the Monterey was one of several ships damaged by the typhoon which hit Admiral William Halsey’s Third Fleet on 18-19 December 1944. The Third Fleet lost three destroyers and over 800 men during the typhoon. The Monterey was damaged by a fire, which was started by several of the ship’s aircraft tearing loose from their cables and colliding during the storm. During the storm, Ford narrowly missed being a casualty himself. After Ford left his battle station on the bridge of the ship in the early morning of 18 December, the ship rolled twenty-five degrees which caused Ford to lose his footing and slide toward the edge of the deck. The two inch steel ridge around the edge of the carrier slowed him enough so he could roll and twisted into the catwalk below the deck. As he later stated, “I was lucky; I could have easily gone overboard.”

After the fire, the Monterey was declared unfit for service and the crippled carrier reached Ulithi on 21 December before proceding across the Pacific to Bremerton, Washington where it underwent repairs. On Christmas Eve 1944 at Ulithi, Ford was detached from the ship and sent to the Athletic Department of the Navy Pre-Flight School, at Saint Mary’s College of California where he was assigned to the Athletic Department until April 1945. One of his duties was to coach football. From end of April 1945 to January 1946, he was on the staff of the Naval Reserve Training Command, Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois as the Staff Physical and Military Training Officer. On 3 October 1945, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In January 1946, he was sent to the Separation Center, Great Lakes, Illinois to be processed out. He was released from active duty under honorable conditions on 23 February 1946. On 28 June 1963, the Secretary of the Navy accepted Ford’s resignation from the Naval Reserve.

For his naval service, Gerald Ford earned the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with nine engagement stars for operations in the Gilbert Islands, Bismark Archipelego, Marshal Islands, Asiatic and Pacific carrier raids, Hollandia, Marianas, Western Carolines, Western New Guinea, and the Leyte Operation. He also received the Philippine Liberation with two bronze stars for Leyte and Mindoro, as well as the American Campaign and World War II Victory Medals.

Unicorn

He also serviced in the US Congress then Vice President and finally President. I have had the privilege to meet former President Ford on a few occasions. I can honestly tell you. You won’t find a more honest or descent man on the planet. Let alone one as President………………God we need one like him now! 😮

Gerald Ford is not such a bad name from some angles. Ford was a US Navy officer during WW2.

From the Wikipedia entry covering the relevent period

Ford received a commission as ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 13 April 1942. On 20 April, he reported for active duty to the V-5 instructor school at Annapolis, Maryland. After one month of training, he went to Navy Preflight School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he was one of 83 instructors and taught elementary seamanship, ordnance, gunnery, first aid, and military drill. In addition, he coached in all nine sports that were offered, but mostly in swimming, boxing and football. During the one year, he was at the Preflight School, he was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade on 2 June 1942, and to Lieutenant on March 1943.

Applying for sea duty, Ford was sent in May 1943 to the pre-commissioning detachment for a new small aircraft carrier, the USS Monterey, at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. From the ship’s commissioning on 17 June 1943 until the end of December 1944, Ford served as the assistant navigator, Athletic Officer, and antiaircraft battery officer on board the Monterey. While he was on board, the Monterey participated in many actions in the Pacific with the Third and Fifth Fleets during the fall of 1943 and in 1944. In 1943, the carrier helped secure Makin Island in the Gilberts, and participated in carrier strikes against Kavieng, New Ireland in 1943. During the spring of 1944, the Monterey supported landings at Kwajalein and Eniwetok and participated in carrier strikes in the Marianas, Western Carolines, and northern New Guinea, as well as in the Battle of Philippine Sea. After overhaul, from September to November 1944, aircraft from the Monterey launched strikes against Wake Island, participated in strikes in the Philippines and Ryukus, and supported the landings at Leyte and Mindoro.

Although the ship was not damaged by the Japanese forces, the Monterey was one of several ships damaged by the typhoon which hit Admiral William Halsey’s Third Fleet on 18-19 December 1944. The Third Fleet lost three destroyers and over 800 men during the typhoon. The Monterey was damaged by a fire, which was started by several of the ship’s aircraft tearing loose from their cables and colliding during the storm. During the storm, Ford narrowly missed being a casualty himself. After Ford left his battle station on the bridge of the ship in the early morning of 18 December, the ship rolled twenty-five degrees which caused Ford to lose his footing and slide toward the edge of the deck. The two inch steel ridge around the edge of the carrier slowed him enough so he could roll and twisted into the catwalk below the deck. As he later stated, “I was lucky; I could have easily gone overboard.”

After the fire, the Monterey was declared unfit for service and the crippled carrier reached Ulithi on 21 December before proceding across the Pacific to Bremerton, Washington where it underwent repairs. On Christmas Eve 1944 at Ulithi, Ford was detached from the ship and sent to the Athletic Department of the Navy Pre-Flight School, at Saint Mary’s College of California where he was assigned to the Athletic Department until April 1945. One of his duties was to coach football. From end of April 1945 to January 1946, he was on the staff of the Naval Reserve Training Command, Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois as the Staff Physical and Military Training Officer. On 3 October 1945, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In January 1946, he was sent to the Separation Center, Great Lakes, Illinois to be processed out. He was released from active duty under honorable conditions on 23 February 1946. On 28 June 1963, the Secretary of the Navy accepted Ford’s resignation from the Naval Reserve.

For his naval service, Gerald Ford earned the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with nine engagement stars for operations in the Gilbert Islands, Bismark Archipelego, Marshal Islands, Asiatic and Pacific carrier raids, Hollandia, Marianas, Western Carolines, Western New Guinea, and the Leyte Operation. He also received the Philippine Liberation with two bronze stars for Leyte and Mindoro, as well as the American Campaign and World War II Victory Medals.

Unicorn