February 2, 2017

The U.S. Navy has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries a $25.5 million modification to start the advance fabrication of the third Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80).

The initial structural fabrication and shop work on the third Gerald R. Ford-class carrier will be performed at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division through March 2018.

“This award authorizes us to begin fabrication of structural components, sub-components, sub-units and pre-assemblies in our manufacturing shops to support the 2018 construction of Enterprise,” said Mike Shawcross, Newport News’ vice president, CVN 79 and CVN 80 construction.

“This is an important step in getting this next Ford-class ship off to a great start, as it allows us to continue implementation of lessons learned, and the initial steel work will allow us to utilize our aircraft carrier steel production line in an efficient manner,” he said.

HII further said it would work with the Navy to find more cost-saving initiatives for future Ford-class carrier construction.