NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division will host a ceremonial keel-laying for Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80) on Saturday, Aug. 27, the company said in a release.
CVN 80 is the third Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier. Designed to replace Nimitz-class carriers, the Ford class features a new nuclear power plant, a redesigned island, electromagnetic catapults, improved weapons movement, an enhanced flight deck capable of increased aircraft sortie rates, and growth margin for future technologies. Enterprise will be the first aircraft carrier not only designed digitally but also built digitally.
Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky are the ship’s sponsors. Ledecky will participate in the keel-laying ceremony in person, while Biles will participate via video.
CVN 80 will be the ninth Navy vessel to bear the name Enterprise. It carries on the name of the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in history, CVN 65, which was also built at Newport News Shipbuilding. As America recognizes the 100-year legacy of aircraft carriers this year, all nuclear-powered aircraft carriers operating in the U.S. Navy fleet today were built at Newport News Shipbuilding.
This event is not open to public but will be livestreamed: https://HII.com/cvn80
- VMUT-2 begins assembly of the first 2nd MAW MQ-9A Reaper - April 18, 2024
- CORAS Rolls Out Early Release of Driver Trees Tool - April 18, 2024
- VMM-268 Marines Prepare for Marine Rotational Force Darwin - April 18, 2024
