Carrier Ford returns as work progresses on ship class | Daily News Byte

29 November 2022

through Michael Fabey

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford successfully used its new launching systems for reliable sortie operations during the ship’s first official deployment. (Michael Fabey)

US Navy (USN) aircraft carrier USS
Gerald R. Ford
(CVN 78) returned from its first official deployment in late November as shipbuilder HII acknowledged additional work on other Ford-class carriers at its Newport News Shipbuilding yard.

Speaking to financial analysts in early November, Christopher Kastner, president and CEO of HII, said the recent keel laying for the Ford-class
Enterprise
(CVN 80).

Besides, “CVN 79 [
John F
]
Kennedy
is moving beyond the test program and began testing the electromagnetic launch system”, Kastner said on the 3 November call.

The Ford-class Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) was tested on CVN 78’s first deployment.

Ford
flagship of the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), returned on 26 November to Naval Station Norfolk, after successfully completing its inaugural deployment across the Atlantic while conducting exercises and port visits with allies and partners.

Ford
departed Norfolk on October 4 and traveled over 9,275 n miles with GRFCSG. During deployment,
Ford
operated with eight allies and partners – Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden – “to strengthen interoperability, while conducting a range of operations and exercises at sea”, USN officials said.

While deployed, the GRFCSG participated in Exercise ‘Silent Wolverine’, demonstrating high-end naval warfare and integrated NATO interoperability in the maritime approach to Europe. ‘Silent Wolverine’ gives opportunity
Ford
to train and test capabilities while demonstrating seamless integration with allies and partners, USN officials added.