Navy may nix Ford carriers

The Navy may not buy more Ford-class aircraft carriers, according to acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, recently, revealing that the service is thinking about what’s next. "I don't know if we're going to buy any more of that type," Modly told Defense & Aerospace Report, adding that the sea-service is "certainly thinking about possible other classes." USS Gerald R. Ford, the first of a new class of carriers, is going through post-delivery tests and trials. USS John F. Kennedy is 70 percent complete, and construction has started on USS Enterprise, and material is reportedly being procured for the future Doris Miller, which is expected for delivery in 2032. "I think we have a duty to look at what will come after the Ford," Modly told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week, adding that the Navy has "breathing room" before it has to figure that out. Yet, it's unclear that those plans will survive the transition to a new SECNAV. The White House has nominating Kenneth Braithwaite, the current US ambassador to Norway, to serve in that post. Changes to the carrier fleet may see pushback from Congress or within the Pentagon. Former SECNAV Richard Spencer said in October that smaller flattops like amphibious assault ships, which the Navy and the Marine Corps have been outfitting with F-35Bs to create experimental "Lightning Carriers," were one "great" option.” (Source: Business Insider 03/09/20) Gulf Coast Note: General Atomics of Tupelo, Miss., produces the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System. EMALS was first installed on the USS Gerald R. Ford. Huntington Ingalls-Pascagoula, Miss., builds the USS America (LHA 6) class of amphibious assault ships. Tripoli (LHA 7) was the second ship. A $3B contract to build Bougainville (LHA 8) was awarded in June 2017. Construction started in October 2018. https://www.businessinsider.com/navy-may-not-buy-any-more-ford-class-aircraft-carriers-2020-3