Today's US Navy Photos & Videos

Well, I expect the Ford, CVN-78, will go to sea in April...[perhaps mid month. I expect she will be accepted by the Navy after another set or two of builders sea trials by the end of the year. But then I expect the Navy will do more trials before commissioning sometime next year...maybe mid-year, maybe later.

Then she will reach IOC in 2020 or so.

Having said all of that, she has been in the water and moved around a bit on the JAmes River. Here are some of her latest pics the last time she did:



She is a beautiful carrier, but does have the appearance of a large aft end...but that gives her machinist and maintenance and planning people more room.

We see from those pics that she has her full self defense armament of two ESSM launchers, two RAM launchers and two Phalanx CIWS installed. Basically one RAM launcher, one ESSM launcher, and one Phalanx aft, and the same forward.

The RAM is on the starboard side aft and the RAM is on the stern, with the ESSSM on the port quarter aft. Forward, it is just the opposite. The RAM is on the port forward quarter, and the ESSM and Phalanx are on the starboard forward quarter.

Some more pics, in prep for her going to sea:

FORBIN said:

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FORBIN said:

Now with Japanese
U.S. & Japanese Navy Vessels Sail Together In Show Of Force In The East China Sea

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The US is showing off one of its major strategies to ensure that what it considers FON and appropriate messages are sent in the Western Pacific with these two modern, and well armed allies whose systems tie hand in glove to the US systems and they exercise often to ensure that they cam operate together fairly seamlessly.

The US and Japan have also exercises like this in the SCS as well to send the same message.

...and as I have said before, these exercises will continue to send the US message and China will not be able to stop them shrt of open warfare...which neither side wants.

At the same time, the US and Japan and all of these exercises will not be able to stop the PRC from developing its shoals and reefs into full island bases in the SCS either.

Both leaderships will make the most of what they are doing with their own constituencies...but will have little impact on the other side.

PHILIPPINE SEA (March 28, 2017) The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) participates in a photo exercise in the Philippine Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Z.A. Landers/Released)

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PHILIPPINE SEA (March 28, 2017) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) participate in a photo exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kurtis A. Hatcher/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (March 13, 2017) Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Gabriel Lewis discusses an M240B general-purpose machine gun's operating procedures and techniques with an Iraqi sailor aboard the Iraqi offshore support vessel Al Basra (OSV 401) during a trilateral exercise between the U.S., Kuwait and Iraq. The trilateral exercise is the first of its kind that serves to develop the proficiency of all participating forces to work together in support of regional safety and security. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Corbin J. Shea/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (March 29, 2017) A Marine assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 161 (Reinforced), performs post flight maintenance on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). The ship is underway conducting amphibious squadron and Marine expeditionary unit integration operations in preparation for a deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Chad Swysgood/Released)

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ARABIAN GULF (March 28, 2017) An E2-C Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft assigned to the "Bear Aces" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124 sits on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The ship is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Gaines/Released)

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SAN DIEGO (March 29, 2017) Senior Chief Special Operator Bill Brown, assigned to the U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, prepares to land during a skydiving demonstration at the USS Midway Museum. The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and perform aerial parachute demonstrations around the nation in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy recruiting. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Pyoung K. Yi/Released)

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YOKOSUKA, Japan (March 31, 2017) Command Master Chief Charles Ziervogel, assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), observes morning colors in honor of fallen chiefs the day prior to the 124th birthday of the chief petty officers rank. The rank of chief petty officer was established on April 1, 1893. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Hale/Released)

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STRAIT OF MALACCA (March 31, 2017) Chief Gunner's Mate Jason Kelly, left, and Gunner's Mate 1st Class Michael McCrackin unload ammunition from a Mark 110 57 mm weapons system aboard the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4). The ship is a fast and agile warship tailor-made to patrol the region's littorals and work hull-to-hull with partner navies, providing 7th Fleet with the flexible capabilities it needs now and in the future. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amy M. Ressler/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 30, 2017) Quartermaster Seaman Rachel Dill, left, and Operations Specialist Seaman Cody Wood use a signal-searchlight to communicate in morse code aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during a replenishment-at-sea. Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of it's expeditionary strike group, which is on a routine patrol operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance warfighting readiness and posture forward as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeanette Mullinax/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 30, 2017) Seaman Rancett Morell, right, and Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class David Coburn participate in a refueling at sea aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20). The ship is part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, which is on a routine patrol operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance warfighting readiness and posture forward as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaleb R. Staples/Released)

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SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 30, 2017) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Blue Blasters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The ship and it's carrier strike group are on a western Pacific deployment as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class D'Andre L. Roden/Released)

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PHILIPPINE SEA (March 29, 2017) Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Tia Wilson, right, and Gunner's Mate Seaman Ryan Edmunds man an M2 .50-caliber machine gun aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during a simulated strait transit. The ship is on a routine patrol operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance warfighting readiness and posture forward as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Diana Quinlan/Released)

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EAST CHINA SEA (March 30, 2017) Marines hook a supply pallet to an AS-332 Super Puma helicopter on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during a replenishment-at-sea. The ship is the flagship of it's expeditionary strike group, which is on a routine patrol, operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance warfighting readiness and posture forward as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Diana Quinlan/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (March 30, 2017) Fire Controlman 2nd Class Brandon Hardy lays outs ammunition for the phalanx close-In weapons system aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) during a composite training unit exercise. The exercise tests the mission readiness of the strike group's assets through simulated real-world scenarios and their ability to perform as an integrated unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kelsey J. Hockenberger/Released)

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PACIFIC OCEAN (March 30, 2017) Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) breakout a joint stand-off weapon in a magazine. Nimitz is underway conducting composite training unit exercise with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston A. Mohr/Released)

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PHILIPPINE SEA (March 29, 2017) Gunner's Mate Seaman Yusef Ali Reynolds mans a Mark 38 25 mm machine gun aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during a simulated strait transit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Diana Quinlan/Released)

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MEDITERRANEAN SEA (March 30, 2017) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Ross (DDG 71) successfully fires a missile from the newly installed SeaRAM close-in weapons system. Ross is forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert S. Price/Released)

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INDIAN OCEAN (March 29, 2017) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Zhyerra De Los Reyes operates an aircraft spot dolly during training in the hangar bay of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). The ship is operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance amphibious capability with regional partners and to serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin M. Langer/Released)

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INDIAN OCEAN (March 29, 2017) Sailors prepare to power down an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). The ship is operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to enhance amphibious capability with regional partners and to serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin M. Langer/Released)

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SAN DIEGO (March 27, 2017) A MQ-8C Fire Scout helicopter sits in the hangar bay of the littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Eshleman/Released)

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U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (March 24, 2017) Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Jesse Pedrero signals an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4 on the flight deck of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57). The ship is on a western Pacific deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of the U.S. 3rd Fleet in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan K. Serpico/Released)

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U.S. 5th FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (March 24, 2017) A UH-1Y Venom helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103). The ship is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyrell K. Morris/Released)

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CARL VINSON carrier strike group joins with Japanese destroyers last week in the Philippine Sea

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CH-53E Super Stallion flies next to the USS Bonhomme Richard during an exercise in the Pacific Ocean, March 19, 2017

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Danish Navy's Frigate PETER WILLEMOES is part of the US GEORGE HW #BUSH carrier strike group, here operating in the Med & CENTCOM

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With a Supply

[QUOTE="bd popeye, post: 445697, m


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It might be a good idea to arm later with rockets, Helfire even eventualy small anti-ships missiles.