Northrop Grumman secures carrier construction award

Northrop Grumman secures carrier construction award (NSI News Source Info) September 21, 2008: Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding has secured a USD5.1 billion contract for detailed design and construction of the first of a new class of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier for the US Navy. The work on Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) will include engineering, integration, advanced planning, design weight estimates, lifecycle support products, production planning and test and evaluation. The first steel was actually cut at the company's Newport News, Virginia, facility in August 2005, beginning advanced procurement work under a separate USD2.7 billion contract. The 100,000 ton, 333 m-long ship is scheduled to launch in 2013 and commission in September 2015. Eleven Ford-class carriers are planned, with construction continuing through to 2058. Image:An artist's impression of Gerald R Ford, which is scheduled to enter service in 2015 (Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding)