Naval Aviation

VIDEOS
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Capt. JJ “Yank” Cummings, USN, the commanding officer of USS Gerald R Ford, says his ship’s systems are “spot on,” including zero problems with propulsion and smooth functioning of its electromagnetic catapults and new arresting gear, improving capabilities and the importance of keeping Ford-class sailors on Ford-class ships during an interview with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Col. James “Hondo” Geurts, USAF Ret., the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition invited a small group of reporters to travel aboard Ford on Jan. 27, 2020, as the ship conducted Aircraft Compatibility Testing off the Virginia coast.

VAGO'S NOTEBOOK
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As the Navy ramps up its great power game, it must learn Ford’s lessons to ensure major new programs like ballistic missile submarines, frigates, a surface warship and large- and medium-displacement unmanned vessels, a large unmanned tanker aircraft and more are successfully and quickly executed.

VIDEOS
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Col. James “Hondo” Geurts, USAF Ret., the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, discusses getting the USS Gerald R Ford ready for duty and makes clear that the ship’s propulsion and electrical systems, electromagnetic catapults, novel arresting gear and new dual-band radar are working well as the service qualifies aircraft to operate from the new supercarrier with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian. Geurts hosted a handful of reporters aboard Ford on Jan. 27, 2020, as the she steamed off the Virginia coast for aircraft compatibility testing.

@CavasShips
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Onboard the USS Ford- The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) represents many firsts – new design, new electrical system, new propulsion plant, new aircraft launch and recovery system, new radars, new elevators and more. That the world’s most expensive warship ever built has teething troubles is well known, and that’s putting it mildly. During the Ford’s first operational period between mid-2017 and mid-2018 the carrier spent only 81 days at sea, and ten times had to cut short testing periods to come home with a serious problem. The Navy and its contractors were exceptionally mum about the detailed nature of many of those problems, stung by a never-ending stream of criticism from Congress and a host of media, commentators and analysts.