VIDEO: Newport News installs 780-ton flight deck unit on Kennedy

Written by Nick Blenkey
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The 780-ton upper bow unit was lowered into the dry dock July 11 and placed on the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) has released video showing the its Newport News Shipbuilding Division installing the final piece of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy’ (CVN 79).

The 780-ton unit is one of the last steel structural units, known as superlifts, to be placed on Kennedy. It was built using digital technology, such as visual work instructions to install piping in the upper bow on the final assembly platen instead of on the ship.

Kennedy is being built with an improved build strategy that includes the increased use of digital tools to build superlifts that are much larger and more complete at ship erection than on prior carriers. Using lessons learned and key build strategy changes, Kennedy is on track to be built with considerably fewer man-hours than the first ship in its class, Gerald R. Ford.

Kennedy is in the early stages of its testing program and is on schedule to launch during the fourth quarter. The christening is planned for late 2019.

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