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First Ford Carrier on Schedule for 2015 Delivery

By MATT HILBURN, Associate Editor

The Navy's Nimitz-class replacement is on schedule for a 2015 delivery, said Capt. Brian Antonio, the CVN-21 program manager.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the first of the Ford class of carriers, will replace the USS Enterprise as the new class to eclipse the aging Nimitz class.

Antonio said that while the ship will showcase many new technologies, it also will be affordable because of the many manpower reductions that are being implemented.

Some of the most high-profile technologies include the dual-band radar, electromagnetic launch system and advance arresting gear.

Antonio said that, to date, the carrier will have 750 fewer crew than a current Nimitz-class ship.

To the untrained eye, Antonio said Ford will not look that much different than a carrier from a Nimitz class. The hull, in fact, is the same as in Nimitz carriers, which saved time and money, Antonio said. The island on Ford will be about one-third smaller, have no rotating radars and be located further aft. This will give more room to move planes around the deck.