Non-Subscriber Extract
USN's future aircraft carrier faces key-equipment delay
01 October 2007
Technical challenges could delay the introduction of key equipment in the construction schedule of the US Navy's (USN's) Gerald R Ford-class future aircraft carrier programme (CVN 21), according to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
A report on the construction of the first-of-class Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) states that the consequences of the failure to develop technology "may lead to increases in the planned construction costs" and result in potential reductions in the ship's capability at the point of delivery.
In addition, the GAO believes that the navy's cost estimates are "optimistic" and its overall target cost is "unachievable". One assumption from the navy is that fewer manpower hours will be required than for the previous two carriers. Insufficient cost surveillance also means that the navy will not be able to identify early signs of cost growth and take "corrective action".
A tight development schedule for the ship's critical technologies could impede the design process and delay the construction of CVN 78. Equipment singled out as the main potential causes of delay include the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), the advanced arresting gear - both built by General Atomics - and the dual-band radar manufactured by Raytheon.
These systems "warrant the most concern at this point", says the GAO "because they have a high impact on both ship capability and construction schedule".