First steel cut for future aircraft carrier Doris Miller
The first cut of steel for the future aircraft carrier Doris Miller. (Photo: HII.)
The steel cutting ceremony marked the first construction milestone for the future carrier Doris Miller.
On 25 August, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) hosted the ceremonial cutting of the first steel for the future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, Doris Miller.
Doris Miller’s keel will be laid in 2026, and the ship delivered to the USN in 2032. HII’s Newport News site is currently performing early manufacturing of the vessel.
Thomas Bledsoe, great-nephew of the ship’s namesake, gave the order to cut the steel. Officials, shipbuilders and relatives of Doris Miller then signed the first plate.
The ship’s namesake earned the Navy Cross for heroic actions while serving aboard USS West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Doris Miller is the second ship of a two-carrier contract awarded to HII in January 2019 for the design and construction of two Ford-class vessels.
The Ford-class carrier features software-controlled electromagnetic catapults and weapons elevators and requires twice the electrical capacity of the preceding Nimitz-class.
Earlier this month, HII has passed a significant milestone in the construction of the John F. Kennedy carrier, one of four Ford-class carriers ordered by the USN.
More than 80% of the total work on the John F. Kennedy has been completed; delivery to the USN is scheduled for 2024.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Denmark commits to three new Arctic vessels in light of Trump’s Greenland comments]()
Denmark commits to three new Arctic vessels in light of Trump’s Greenland comments
The vessels have been a necessity for years, but now Denmark is planning a stronger Arctic presence.
-
![UK upgrades threat detection systems on its Royal Navy warships]()
UK upgrades threat detection systems on its Royal Navy warships
The news of the upgrade comes just a week after UK Royal Navy (RN) vessels escorted a Russian spy ship out of the English Channel.
-
![Was acquiring the Aiviq polar vessel the right choice for the US Coast Guard?]()
Was acquiring the Aiviq polar vessel the right choice for the US Coast Guard?
Previous structural and mechanical issues in the 20-plus year icebreaker might represent challenges for the service.
-
![Last Astute-class submarine renamed HMS Achilles]()
Last Astute-class submarine renamed HMS Achilles
The submarine was due to be named HMS Agincourt, but will now follow HMS Agamemnon's lead, being named after a warrior from the Iliad.
-
![Rolls-Royce seals £9 billion deal with UK government on submarine support]()
Rolls-Royce seals £9 billion deal with UK government on submarine support
The deal will boost the government’s ‘Plan for Change’ and deliver on its nuclear triple-lock commitment.
-
![Chinese Navy commissions first Type 054B frigate]()
Chinese Navy commissions first Type 054B frigate
The commissioning comes just two years after the modules for the hull were first seen – and the US is watching.
