Sunday, April 9, 2017

The Supercarrier USS Gerald R Ford Starts Sea Trials For The First Time

The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) underway on its own power for the first time. The first-of-class ship — the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years — will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni

Daily Mail: Most expensive warship ever built FINALLY hits water: US Navy tests out its newest $13bn supercarrier that has been dogged by reliability issues and over a year of delays

* USS Gerald R. Ford went out to sea after departing Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding
* The mammoth new aircraft carrier that is being tested comes with a staggering price-tag of $13billion
* Completion of the vessel has been delayed more than a year because if was dogged by reliability flaws

The most expensive warship ever built has been put through its paces for the very first time.

The US Navy revealed Saturday the first of its new class of the USS Gerald R. Ford has headed out to sea off the coast of Virginia.

The new aircraft carrier embarked on the first of its sea trials to test various state-of-the-art systems.

The $12.9 billion carrier departed from Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News after more than a year's delay and cost overruns.

Read more ....

Update #1: USS Gerald R. Ford begins sea trials to test high-tech systems (CBS/AP)
Update #2: At last — carrier Ford tastes the sea to begin trials (Navy Times)

WNU Editor: Years late .... but she is now out of the dock on her own steam.