News-Stories Advanced Weapons Elevators Completed Aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

More DetailsFILE PHOTO: NORFOLK (May 6, 2021) Adm. Tony Radakin, right, U.K. Royal Navy First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, center right, receives a brief from Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) commanding officer, in one of Ford's advanced weapons elevators May 6, 2021. The First Sea Lord and a U.K. delegation spent two-days in Hampton Roads as part of the U.S./ U.K. Counterpart visit series. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Melvin)210506-N-YW264-1134 FILE PHOTO: NORFOLK (May 6, 2021) Adm. Tony Radakin, right, U.K. Royal Navy First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, center right, receives a brief from Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) commanding officer, in one of Ford's advanced weapons elevators May 6, 2021. The First Sea Lord and a U.K. delegation spent two-days in Hampton Roads as part of the U.S./ U.K. Counterpart visit series. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Melvin)SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage Details Photo By: Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Melvin VIRIN: 210506-N-YW264-1134 “This is a significant milestone for the Navy, ship, and her crew,” said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers.“With completion of this final AWE, we now have the entire system to operate and train with.”

Downey added that the Navy-Industry AWE team worked tirelessly both inport and at sea to complete the elevators to ensure the availability of needed materials and engineering expertise.Multiple vendors have collaborated along the way to ensure seamless support to multi-shift, shipboard production efforts.

“The Navy-Industry teaming provided the opportunities for hundreds of craftsmen, technicians and engineers, working around the clock—through multiple underway and holiday periods—to get these advanced systems on line and operational,” said Downey.

More DetailsFILE PHOTO: NORFOLK (April 9, 2021) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Juan Torres, from Milwaukee, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) weapons department, moves ammunition onto one of the ship's advanced weapons elevators during an ammunition onload on the flight deck. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Angel Thuy Jaskuloski)210409-N-NO627-1135 FILE PHOTO: NORFOLK (April 9, 2021) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Juan Torres, from Milwaukee, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) weapons department, moves ammunition onto one of the ship's advanced weapons elevators during an ammunition onload on the flight deck. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Angel Thuy Jaskuloski)SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage Details Photo By: Petty Officer 3rd Class Angel Jaskuloski VIRIN: 210409-N-NO627-1135The team logged this important milestone in the midst of the ship’s six-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding facility in Hampton Roads, Virginia.Gerald R. Ford is scheduled to complete the PIA this spring, followed by training and deployment.

“The end game is always operational readiness,” added Downey, “and Ford is on track to complete this PIA on schedule, conduct sea trials, and to move on to follow on tasking.”