As the video presents, the US Navy’s aircraft carrier, John F. Kennedy, saw the installation of its final piece, conducted by Huntington Ingalls Industries. The upper bow part that is to be added on the vessel is one of the last steel structural units, also known as superlift, which weighs 780 tonnes and was being built for 18 months.
Specifically, the vessel was built in sections with more outfitted equipment—valves, pipe, electrical panels, mounting studs, lighting, ventilation and other components—than any other aircraft carrier built at Newport News.
Moreover, the vessel was constructed 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.
Mike Butler, Newport News’ CVN 79 program director commented
We are very pleased with the progress being made on Kennedy as we inch closer to christening the ship later this year. The upper bow is the last superlift that completes the ship’s primary hull.
John F. Kennedy is planned to launch during the fourth quarter, while her christening is planned for late 2019.
Kennedy is the second ship in the new class of Gerald R. Ford class of carriers. The lead ship was commissioned in July 2017 as the US Navy’s most expensive ship ever built.
