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 December 1, 2005 Rolls-Royce delivers first propeller for CVN 77 Despite the significant impact of Hurricane Katrina, Rolls-Royce has delivered the first of four propellers for the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), America's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The 60,000 lb bronze propellers, 21 ft in diameter delivering in excess of 70,000 horsepower, are the largest ever machined by Rolls-Royce. The first of the four was cast and finished at the Rolls-Royce foundry in Pascagoula, Mississippi and transported overland to Northrop Grumman's Newport News Shipyard in Virginia. Andy Marsh, President of Rolls-Royce U.S. naval operations, said: "Our Pascagoula team performed a heroic job completing delivery for this major program, despite the impact of Katrina on our employees and facility." USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), 1,092 feet long and with a displacement of over 97,000 tons, is under construction at the Newport News Shipyard. All four high-tolerance five-blade fixed pitch propellers will be delivered to Newport News by year-end. Hurricane Katrina caused major damage to the Rolls-Royce Propeller Center of Excellence facility in Pascagoula, Miss., and more than a dozen employees lost their homes. The company continues to work with affected employees to help get them back on their feet and the facility is now up and running.
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