The $12.9 billion Gerald R. Ford is the first of a new class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for the US Navy. All are built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.(Photo: US Navy)
Defense News: Carrier Ford Delayed By Need For More Tests
WASHINGTON — Delivery of the US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, is being delayed six to eight weeks, the service announced Tuesday, with more testing needed before the new ship can begin sea trials.
The Navy and its shipbuilder, Newport News Shipbuilding, had been driving to a delivery date of March 31, 2016. That has now slipped to mid- or late-May, a Navy spokesperson said, but a specific date will await the result of tests and trials.
Cmdr. Thurraya Kent, spokesperson for the Navy’s acquisition directorate, said in a statement that any costs associated with the delays are being “managed within budget and below the [congresssionally-mandated] $12.887 billion cost cap.”
Kent did not detail what specific tests led to the new delays.
Update: Sea trials delayed for aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford -- Reuters
WNU Editor: It is a new carrier design ... so I guess it is prudent to make sure that everything works right. But at $12.9 billion a copy .... they better make sure it works.
No comments:
Post a Comment