Quote:
Originally Posted by Llarry
I'm puzzled by this photo. I was aware that CVN 80, the future USS Enterprise, was in the water, but Wikipedia says she is not to commission until 2028. Perhaps this is a photo of the lead ship of the class; I don't see an "80" anywhere.
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This can only be the Gerald R. Ford CV 78. It is the only operable member of the Ford Class carriers. The John F. Kennedy CV 79 is currently afloat but far from complete. It will be at least another year before she advances from the status of PCU (Pre Commissioning Unit) aka under construction, to a fully Commissioned Naval Vessel (in active service). She is currently moored at the south end of Huntington Ingalls Shipyard in Newport News right next to Enterprise CV 65 which is being dismantled for scrap. This breaks my heart. I served aboard her, and she will always be my boat.
The Enterprise CV 80 is under construction in the main drydock at the north end of the shipyard. Currently there is a drydock full of disconnected units that don't much resemble an aircraft carrier. It will be at least another 3 years before she can float and achieve PCU status. Official Commissioning is scheduled for 2028 but no one is making book on that.
The USS Doris Miller CV 81 will be next up, and HI has been cutting steel for her for over 2 years now. This will be stored somewhere until Enterprise CV 80 clears the drydock.