HII begins training crew aboard CVN 79
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has begun training crew members after the first of 2,700 compartments of the Gerard R Ford-class John F Kennedy (CVN 79) aircraft carrier were handed over to the US Navy.
This allows sailors to train in spaces whilst the final phase of outfitting and testing is completed at HII’s Newport News division in Virginia, the company announced on 27 February.
Mike Butler, John F Kennedy programme manager, said: ‘The first sailors coming on board is a significant step in the life of the ship… Our completing and turning over these spaces to the crew will allow them to start on-hands, shipboard training, and learn the systems and components they will operate when the ship joins the fleet.’
The vessel was launched in December 2019 and over the next two years the final spaces will be completed such as the berthing and mess areas.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
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
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
The commissioning comes just two years after the modules for the hull were first seen – and the US is watching.
-
Russian spy ship Yantar monitored in English Channel
The vessel returned just months after loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure.
-
US shipbuilding struggles to keep pace with China
The small production capacity of US shipyards has generated multiple delays in US Navy programmes.
-
Hanwha gains cybersecurity Type Approval from ABS
The company is the first based in Asia to achieve certification from the American Bureau of Shipping.