USS Gerald R. Ford Achieves Operational Milestones

摘要

Entering the sixth month of an 18-month Post Delivery Test and Trials (PDT&T) period in March, the ship has performed extremely well while underway for 54 of 110 days since completing its Post-Shakedown Availability in October 2019. As of April 23, Ford milestones include the following: 1. Completed Aircraft Compatibility Testing Jan. 31 2. Achieved 1,000th Aircraft Arrestment and Launch March 19 3. Completed Flight Deck and Carrier Air Traffic Control Center Certifications March 20 4. Now serves as the primary carrier qualification CVN on the East Coast 5. Completed its first vertical replenishment March 24 Final construction of the ship's Advanced Weapons Elevators is also progressing. The four elevators previously turned over to the crew continue to perform well, with Sailors conducting more than 8,000 cycles. Lower Stage Elevator No. 5, which provides aft magazine access, has progressed into final testing and is on track to turn over in May. Lower Stage Elevator No. 1, which provides forward magazine access, is on track to turn over in fourth quarter fiscal 2020. The remaining five elevators are on track to be turned over by Full Ship Shock Trials, scheduled for fiscal 2021.