Over the past 21 months, the USS Gerald R. Ford put through its paces. The extensive testing of the latest American aircraft carrier began after delivery to the US Navy and came to a climax with the Full Ship Shock Trials. Powerful underwater explosive charges were detonated at various distances to test the ship's resistance to strong shocks. Now the Navy is sending the Ford to the shipyard for the last time for the time being. Over the next six months, repairs will be carried out at Newport News Shipyard and systems will be brought up to date. The carrier will then be ready to embark on its first operational voyage in 2022.
As the Gerald R. Ford is the first ship of the new class, it has not only been thoroughly scrutinised. The navy and shipyard have also been able to gather a great deal of experience, which will now be taken into account when building the sister ships. "This is a type ship that will influence the future of naval aviation for years to come," emphasised Captain Paul Lanzilotta, commander of the carrier. According to the Navy, all tests were completed within the scheduled time frame. At the same time, the Ford the training and further education of pilots. More than 350 officers were able to obtain their carrier qualification on the only available aircraft carrier on the east coast of the USA.
Text: mb; Photo: US Navy
English 
German
0 Kommentare