USS Gerald R. Ford
 

Future USS Gerald R. Ford Delivered to the Navy

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) aircraft carrier in Newport News, Virginia, May 31. Delivery followed the ship's successful completion of acceptance trials May 26......

Ford is the lead ship of its class and the first new-design aircraft carrier delivered to the Navy since USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in 1975. It is also the first aircraft carrier to join the fleet since USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) delivered in 2009.......

Ford will be commissioned into the fleet this summer, formally placing the ship into active service. Following this, there will be a "shakedown" period where the ship will conduct several at-sea events to provide longer underway periods for the ship's crew to operate and train on ship's systems. In addition, planned deferred work will be performed, and any deficiencies identified during trials will be addressed during in-port periods.

Ford is expected to be operational in 2020 following achievement of initial operational capability.

About a year late but as she's expected to serve until at least 2060 so not too bad - they haven't started air/catapult/landing testing yet I believe?

At least the USN/USMC have some aircraft to operate from it ;)

At least the USMC have some aircraft to operate from ours as well.

The catapults have been tested with dead loads whilst alongside, and the wires were tested ashore too. No at-sea test as yet though, hence the gap between accepting delivery and the IOC date. Lots of trials to follow...

If you download the hi res image and expand, you can play "count the aerials" on the stickie up bit...

Catapult Trials
 

Oh, this really should be the sort of thing associated with a few bottles of port and Mess Kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irzg...=155.472943557

When the US Navy eventually retires her perhaps the UK could purchase it and moor her on the coast. It's getting on for the size of a ready-made city! Should ease the housing shortage!! ;)

UK mean you think UK in its constituent form will exist in 2060 !!!!