US Navy asks Congress to shift millions of dollars to fix high-tech supercarrier

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy needs to get the permission of lawmakers to move $62.7 million to fix a number of hiccups in its high-tech new carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, during its post-shakedown availability that kicked off July 15.

The money, part of a larger DoD reprogramming request from June, will go toward fixing a number of issues that arose during its recently concluded post-delivery trials, according to a copy of the request obtained by Defense News.

According to the document, the Navy needs to move:

• $12.7 million to fix “continuing technical deficiencies” with the Advanced Weapon Elevators.
• $30 million for “tooling and repair” of the main thrust bearings, issues that the Navy has blamed on the manufacturer.
• $20 million for additional repairs, a prolonged post-shakedown availabilty, and parts and labor.

RELATED

Advanced arresting gear is coming along

The carrier Ford's new arresting gear, replacing the old-school arresting cables, trapped two new aircraft last month.

By David B. Larter

The Navy told Congress in May that it was going to exceed the Ford’s $12.9 billion cost cap because of needed repairs and alterations. The $62.7 million was part of that total repair bill.

The repairs and technology setbacks extended the Ford’s PSA at Huntington Ingalls' Newport News Shipbuilding from eight months to 12 months, according to a statement from Naval Sea Systems Command, and significantly added to the cost. The ship will then proceed to full-ship shock trials ahead of its first deployment, a priority pushed by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., according to the document.

Since its delivery, the Ford has spent 81 days at sea during the eight times it was underway, a July 15 NAVSEA release said.

“The ship has completed 747 shipboard aircraft launches and recoveries against a plan of approximately 400,” the release said. “CVN 78 successfully completed fixed-wing aircraft/helicopter integration and compatibility testing, air traffic control center certification, JP-5 fuel system certification, daytime underway replenishment capability demonstration, ship’s defensive system demonstration, Dual Band Radar testing, and propulsion plant operations.”

Joe Gould contributed to this report.

More In Naval

New US Space Force jammers aim to disrupt China’s SATCOM signals

The Remote Modular Terminals, which disrupt adversary satellites by "yelling in their ear," as one official put it, are cleared for initial fielding,

Space Force must grow to counter China and Russia, lawmaker says

House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., said the service is not sized to meet increasing threats from China and Russia.

SpaceX launches rapid response GPS mission

The effort, dubbed Rapid Response Trailblazer, was meant to demonstrate the ability to quickly plan and launch a mission in around six months.

Space Command strategy aims to boost commercial role in operations

The updated strategy, approved in November, focuses on SPACECOM’s core tasks and how commercial space capabilities fit within those areas.

ULA eyes annual mods to turn rocket stage into space interceptor

The fast-moving vehicle would be highly maneuverable and could be used to tow satellites or for counterspace missions, ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters.