mktbfavenger
USS Gerald R. Ford
It became apparent in the early 2000s that the over 40 year old Nimitz Class design was in need of replacement. In 2005, Newport News Shipbuilding was awarded a contract to begin development on America’s newest class of super carriers. In 2009, she was laid down. By mid 2013, she was structurally complete. At the end of the year, she was christened. In 2017, she was commissioned, replacing the 56 year old USS Enterprise CVN-65. On July 28, 2017; the first arrested landings and catapult launch took place. As of 2021, the ship is still under going testing and troubleshooting of its electromagnetic launch system. For this reason, the ship has not yet been deemed combat ready.
Some design improvements over the Nimitz include: increased flight deck space as a result of moving and shrinking the island and eliminating lift 3, electromagnetic catapults, new phased-array radars built into the island, and a more efficient power plant.
Specifications:
Length - 1,106ft
Beam - 256ft
Height - 250ft
Displacement - 100,000 long tons
Power Plant/Propulsion - 2x A1B nuclear reactors, turbines, 4 screws
Performance - 30+ knots
Compliment - ~4,500
Armament - 2 Sea Sparrow launchers, 2 RAM launchers, 3 phalanx CIWS
Aircraft - 75+
I kept the draft and bow from the Reagan (minus the bulbous bow), and rebuilt everything else from scratch. This model is actually about 200 pieces more than the Reagan. I also cleaned up the internal structure. And just like the Reagan, it was a blast to design.
USS Gerald R. Ford
It became apparent in the early 2000s that the over 40 year old Nimitz Class design was in need of replacement. In 2005, Newport News Shipbuilding was awarded a contract to begin development on America’s newest class of super carriers. In 2009, she was laid down. By mid 2013, she was structurally complete. At the end of the year, she was christened. In 2017, she was commissioned, replacing the 56 year old USS Enterprise CVN-65. On July 28, 2017; the first arrested landings and catapult launch took place. As of 2021, the ship is still under going testing and troubleshooting of its electromagnetic launch system. For this reason, the ship has not yet been deemed combat ready.
Some design improvements over the Nimitz include: increased flight deck space as a result of moving and shrinking the island and eliminating lift 3, electromagnetic catapults, new phased-array radars built into the island, and a more efficient power plant.
Specifications:
Length - 1,106ft
Beam - 256ft
Height - 250ft
Displacement - 100,000 long tons
Power Plant/Propulsion - 2x A1B nuclear reactors, turbines, 4 screws
Performance - 30+ knots
Compliment - ~4,500
Armament - 2 Sea Sparrow launchers, 2 RAM launchers, 3 phalanx CIWS
Aircraft - 75+
I kept the draft and bow from the Reagan (minus the bulbous bow), and rebuilt everything else from scratch. This model is actually about 200 pieces more than the Reagan. I also cleaned up the internal structure. And just like the Reagan, it was a blast to design.