Northrop Grumman to Lay Keel for the First Ship in the Next Generation of Aircraft Carriers, Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding will lay the keel for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), in a Nov. 14, 10 am ceremony. The Ford class will continue the legacy of highly capable U.S. Navy aircraft carrier ship platforms. Enhancements being incorporated into the design include flight deck changes, improved weapons handling systems, a redesigned island, allowance for future technologies; and reduced workload for the sailors, translating to a smaller crew size and lower operating costs for the Navy. Mrs. Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President Gerald R. Ford, is the ship's sponsor and will serve as keel authenticator for the ceremony. Mrs. Ford Bales will authenticate the keel by chalking her initials onto a metal plate. Her initials will then be welded onto the plate. Other ceremony participants include President of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Mike Petters; Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus; Adm. Kirkland Donald, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program; U.S. Senator Carl Levin, (D-MI); U.S. Rep. Robert "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.) and U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye (D-Va.). |