Page 32: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2017)

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mathew R. Fairchild/Released

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Com

President Donald Trump addressed the “Gerald R. Ford has several technolo- ed. It has a zonal electrical distribution tem or EMALS, similar to a maglev more than 10,000 people attending the gies that are unique to the Ford-class, system and all-electric advanced weap- system or railgun, which has fewer mov- ceremony where the Navy’s newest air- such as a redesigned reactor plant, dual ons elevators. The steam catapult is re- ing parts and avoids the troublesome craft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN band radar, electromagnetic launch sys- placed by an electro-magnetic aircraft pressure, leaks and corrosive nature of 78), was commissioned on Saturday, tem and advanced arresting gear,” said launch system (EMALS), and aircraft steam-driven piston systems and the as-

July 22 in Norfolk, Va. Capt. Richard McCormack, the Ford’s will be recovered using an advanced ar- sociated hydraulic retrieval systems.

“Wherever this vessel cuts through the commanding of? cer. “The technologies resting gear (AAG). The new dual-band EMALS, made by General Atomics, horizon, our allies will rest easy and our were designed to ensure that our aircraft radar (DBR) helps coordinate the ship’s uses linear induction motors and accel- enemies will shake with fear because ev- carrier is capable of meeting our nation’s aircraft and defend itself and the strike erates more smoothly, subjecting aircraft eryone will know that America is com- needs and project power for several de- group. to less stress. The aircraft are connected ing and America is coming strong,” said cades to come.” “Gerald R. Ford will leverage design to a carriage that runs between beams.

Trump. “American hands and American According to Rear Adm. Brian Anto- changes from bow to stern and from keel Electro-magnets attracts and repels the steel constructed a 100,000-ton message nio, the program executive of? cer for to mast, enabling ships of the class to ? y carriage as it moves. It is purported to to the world.” carriers, CVN 78 has increased ? exibil- today’s carrier aircraft with improved weigh less, cost less and require less

Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean ity, with nearly three times the electric ef? ciency and ready to accommodate maintenance than steam. Steam systems

Stackley recalled President Theodore plant capacity; a bigger ? ight deck and future manned aircraft and unmanned use a lot of fresh water, which is a valu-

Roosevelt, who used to say, “Walk soft- hangar bay for ? ight deck operations aerial systems,” wrote Rear Adm. Bruce able commodity on a warship at sea.

ly, and carry a big stick.” Stackley then and aircraft maintenance, and a 33 per- Lindsey, commander, Naval Air Force Within a week of her commission- turned to Trump and said, “Mr. Presi- cent increase in sortie generation rate; Atlantic. “With the Gerald R. Ford’s is- ing ceremony, Ford was underway and dent, I present you with a big stick.” and reduced manning and a 20 percent land scaled down and set farther aft, the tested both the EMALS and AAG. As

CVN-78 honors the 38th president of reduction in maintenance costs. And it ? ight deck has more usable area than a Ford marked a milestone by launching the United States and pays tribute to his requires a smaller crew. Nimitz class aircraft carrier, with this and recovering its ? rst ? ghter jet, it also lifetime of service in the Navy, in the Because of the way the ship was de- improved ? ight deck geometry, she can marked the ? rst use of the Advanced Ar-

U.S. government and to the nation. Dur- signed, it won’t require the same period- more ef? ciently prepare, launch and re- resting Gear (AAG) and EMALS. ing World War II Ford attained the rank icity for major maintenance. That means cover aircraft of today and of the future.” “AAG and EMALS have been suc- of lieutenant commander in the Navy, a longer time where the ship is opera- “In all, 23 new or modi? ed systems cessfully tested ashore at Lakehurst, N.J. serving on the light carrier USS Mon- tional before having to be brought into distinguish Gerald R. Ford from aircraft but this is the ? rst shipboard recovery terey (CVL 26). Ford served in the U.S. the shipyard for re? t. The 43-month carriers of the Nimitz-class, bringing and launch of a ? eet ? xed wing aircraft,”

House of Representatives and became maintenance cycle and 12-year docking increased safety, effectiveness and ef? - said McCormack.

vice president and then president in the intervals means the ship will spend less ciency to the ship’s crew members, ? ight The AAG system will recover aircraft aftermath of the Watergate scandal. He time in the shipyard and more time de- deck, propulsion system, electric plant, in a wider range of environmental and served as president from 1974-1977. ployed. machinery control and integrated war- operational conditions than is currently

The ship’s sponsor and President Navy of? cials say the total lifecycle fare systems,” said Lindsey. possible,” said Lindsey. “Using stored

Ford’s daughter Susan Ford Bales gave operating cost is reduced by nearly $4 Some of the new technology has been kinetic energy and solid-state electrical the traditional command to “Man our billion per hull compared to the Nimitz- controversial. Some has taken longer power conversion, EMALS provides ship and bring her to life.” class, in large part due to a reduce crew than anticipated to mature. Like all new greater control and precision when size. technology, there are growing pains. launching aircraft, expanding the ship’s

Many Technology Firsts The Ford’s integrated electric propul- Following his visit to the carrier in operational capability to launch more

The Gerald R. Ford represents a leap sion system includes a pair of A1B re- March while in the Newport News Ship- types of planes, from heavy strike ? ghter in technology over the 10 Nimitz-class actors that each generate 300 MW of yard, Trump told Time magazine that he jets to light unmanned aircraft.” nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in op- power, three times what the Nimitz-class questioned the replacement of the tradi- According to Lindsey, other design eration. The ? rst, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) A4W reactors produced. That extra pow- tional steam catapult systems with what changes provide for the comfort and ,was commissioned in 1975, but was de- er also provides signi? cant margin for he referred to as a “digital” system. wellbeing of the Sailors in the crew, air signed using and with technology from future electrical loads. That’s especial- Trump said the system was too compli- wing and embarked staffs in Gerald R. the 1960s. ly important when considering that the cated. “You have to be Albert Einstein to Ford. “Crew members will ? nd more

Fittingly, the President Gerald R. Ford warships of tomorrow will have sensor ? gure it out.” privacy in redesigned sleeping areas presided over the commissioning of and weapons power demands that rival He said that he told people on the ship with fewer racks per room and easier ac-

Nimitz in 1975. the propulsion requirement. The CVN that the Navy would have to return to cess to restroom and shower facilities.

Construction on Ford started in 2009. 78 electrical system operates at 13,800 the older technology for future ships. Separate spaces hold crew recreation

The ship cost about $13 billion. volts of electrical power, compared to “You’re going to goddamned steam. and television viewing areas, providing

The Ford’s hull is similar to the Nimi- 4,160 volts found on Nimitz-class car- The digital costs hundreds of millions of consistent quiet for sleeping crew mem- tz-class predecessors, but what’s inside, riers, and features all-electric auxiliary dollars more money and it’s no good,” bers. Wider passageways make travel and on deck, is very different. In fact, services. This means steam heavy and Trump said. through the ship more ef? cient in both

Ford has many new critical systems not maintenance-intensive hydraulic sys- The “digital” system is actually the peace and combat. Well-equipped gyms found on any ship. tems and pneumatic piping are eliminat- Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Sys- enable a variety of exercise routines. In- 32 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • SEPTEMBER 2017

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