President Trump officially commissions the $13 billion U.S.S. Gerald Ford: US Navy's new aircraft carrier is 'quantum leap into the 21st century'
The U.S. Navy is unveiling a new aircraft carrier with a 21st-century design and a big price tag.
The U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford, which is being unveiled in a commissioning
ceremony today in Norfolk, Virginia, cost nearly $13 billion to build,
making it the Navy's most expensive aircraft carrier ever.
"The U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford is really a quantum leap into the 21st century," Hecht added.
ABC News and other media were invited on a tour of the carrier 12 days
before its commissioning today, July 22. Officers brought the press
around for a quick look at the flight deck, crew quarters, navigation
room, and other spaces that represent advancements from earlier classes
of carriers.
On the flight deck, planes will use a new electromagnetic system to launch as opposed to the old steam-driven catapult.
The redesign extends to the sleeping areas. Before, 100 sailors would be
crammed together at night. Now, only 25 to 30 will sleep in each area.
The massive 1,100-foot warship won’t be sent into combat for at least four more years, as it still needs to undergo more testing. Around 2,600 sailors will work and call the ship home once it’s fully operational.
Despite the delays and big price tag, the U.S. Navy says the Ford class
carriers will be $4 billion cheaper to construct compared to older
ships.
President Trump plans to attend the commissioning ceremony in Norfolk, Va. alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense, Gen. James Mattis and former vice president,Dick Cheney.
Source: ABC NEWS.
President Trump officially commissions the $13 billion U.S.S. Gerald Ford: US Navy's new aircraft carrier is 'quantum leap into the 21st century'
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