Aircraft Carriers III

Brumby

Major
I was thinking about the situation and my conjecture is this:

if the USN knew about serious issues of the Ford Project,

now (2019) it'd be the time to concede to them and notify the Congress (so that they can "rebaseline" I mean extra money in FY21);

if the USN just covered up serious issues now, and this is what I suspect is going on,

the Fords would be left to their fate as the Zumwalts
There is no doubt the USN leadership had been playing games, acting dishonestly and most importantly they know it and they had been getting away with it.
Some examples:
(1) The sortie generation story was built on unrealistic assumptions to justify some of the new technology in the Ford class;
(2)They over spent on the Ford program and in order to operate below Congressional oversight, they postpone some of the fixes into post delivery spending;
(3)Some of the technical issues like EMAL and elevators were early known problems but they continue with their spin to downplay the problems.

Unfortunately bottom line they can only cover the problem for a limited window until the whole thing explode in their face. Not to worry though, no one will be held accountable and the issues just move to the next big program.
 

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
Unfortunately bottom line they can only cover the problem for a limited window until the whole thing explode in their face. Not to worry though, no one will be held accountable and the issues just move to the next big program.

True. And more billions will be spent on the Ford class to correct the flaws...and the USN will move on to the next episode.

I've no idea what is wrong with the EMALS. The cats on Ford did make over 700+ launches. To me the bigger issue is the bomb elevators. A CVN is not operational if she can't get ordnance to da' roof. Also there was a problem with the powerplant.

Aboard USS John F Kennedy (CVA 67) 1968 to 1972 we were the only carrier in the USN inventory not sent to Vietnam. Why? because of the bomb elevators. They worked..but they were NOT reliable.
 

Brumby

Major
True. And more billions will be spent on the Ford class to correct the flaws...and the USN will move on to the next episode.

I've no idea what is wrong with the EMALS. The cats on Ford did make over 700+ launches. To me the bigger issue is the bomb elevators. A CVN is not operational if she can't get ordnance to da' roof. Also there was a problem with the powerplant.

Aboard USS John F Kennedy (CVA 67) 1968 to 1972 we were the only carrier in the USN inventory not sent to Vietnam. Why? because of the bomb elevators. They worked..but they were NOT reliable.

The problems will be fixed - I hope. I just wish they spin less because credibility should be protected as it is a valuable commodity.

The elevator is a significant capability improvement when it works. The Nimitz-class elevators move 10,500 pounds at 100 feet per minute. The Ford class elevators will lift 20,000 pounds of munitions at a rate of 150 feet per minute.
 

bd popeye

The Last Jedi
VIP Professional
The elevator is a significant capability improvement when it works. The Nimitz-class elevators move 10,500 pounds at 100 feet per minute. The Ford class elevators will lift 20,000 pounds of munitions at a rate of 150 feet per minute.

To me as someone that actually worked on the flight deck those faster elevators won't mean aircraft will be loaded with munitions faster. The human element is still there. Living,breathing sailors have to build & load those weapons in a safe manner. The loading process has not changed in many, many years..observe;


 
To me as someone that actually worked on the flight deck those faster elevators won't mean aircraft will be loaded with munitions faster. ...
yeah I'm no expert, but I would've thought the elevators speed hadn't been limiting combat ops!

I'm not in the MIC Conspiracy though I think ridiculously fast elevators which don't work is an example of creating over-engineered and overpriced 'solutions' to make the Pentagon pay even more;

the companies sure have teams of spin-doctors who come up with fancy 'products' like LCS mission modules concept, so called stealthy 16k-displacing Zumwalts and other game-changers, for example recently the USN asked for like 3b for unmanned 'fleet' without having ConOps! I don't believe it's Admirals creating this type of nonsense, I think it's marketing departments and their consultants in action, selling EDITED

Wednesday at 3:15 PM
May 15, 2019
looks I wasn't alone who asked (LOL) as inside
The Navy's $2.7 Billion Plan to Build Drone Ships Faces Hurdles in Congress
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:

"What we're leaning toward would be go figure out the [concept of operations] on the ships you already either bought or are about to buy, and then we can talk about going into serial production," the staffer said.
 
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asif iqbal

Lieutenant General
"French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) part of Task Force 473 meets USS Boxer (LHD-4) in the Andaman Sea [1200x857]" , posted by /u/IronWarriorUK -- see the reddit comments at:
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qBwvgsn.jpg
 
in case you didn't know, and I knew since
7 minutes ago
noted
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·
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-US
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cooperation is clearly in high gear. Helo carrier ISE D182 leads US
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LSD48, GREEN BAY LPD20 and KUNISAKI L4003 in the Phil Sea 8 June (1st 2 shots).
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D183 and destroyer
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D101 with RONALD
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CVN76 in South
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Sea 11 June.
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USS Ronald Reagan meets up with JMSDF helicopter carrier in South China Sea
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US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) carried a South China Sea cooperative deployment with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DH-183) and destroyers JS Murasame (DD-101) and JS Akebono (DD-108).

From June 10 to 12, Reagan, Akebono, Izumo and Murasame conducted communication checks, tactical maneuvering drills and liaison officer exchanges designed to address common maritime security priorities and enhance interoperability at sea.

“Having a Japanese liaison officer aboard to coordinate our underway operations has been beneficial and efficient,” said Lt. Mike Malakowsky, a tactical actions officer aboard Ronald Reagan. “As we continue to operate together with the JMSDF, it makes us a cohesive unit. They are an integral part of our Strike Group that doubles our capability to respond to any situation.”

The Navy and JMSDF regularly fly, sail and operate together with other allies and partners to promote security and stability throughout the region.
 
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