HII receives $55m for USS Gerald R. Ford post shakedown repairs

The sole builder of US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers has received a $55.8 million contract for the post shakedown refit of the lead ship of a new class of US Navy aircraft carriers.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) will be undergoing repairs in Huntignton Ingalls Industries’ Newport News shipyard under a contract awarded by the US Naval Sea Systems Command.

The Gerald R. Ford was commissioned on July 22, 2017, and is undergoing testing before entering Newport News for a post-shakedown availability/selected restricted availability (PSA/SRA).

Work under the contract is expected to be completed by June 2019 and could end up costing $66.5 million, should all contract options be exercised.

Every new ship undergoes a post-shakedown availability (PSA) after going through a test and evaluation period. During the availability, contractors repair or improve the design of the ship in preparation for final contractor trials.

CVN 78 is the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years. The ship was ordered from Newport News Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Huntington Ingalls Industries, on Sept. 10, 2008 while the keel laying ceremony took place on November 13, 2009.

The aircraft carrier was launched on October 11, 2013, and started sea trials in April 2017.