Article Posted on : - Dec 14, 2010

The new Ford-class nuke-powered aircraft carriers are intended to replace the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers of US Navy. A Northrop Photo

NEWPORT NEWS (BNS): Northrop Grumman has received a $323.6 million cost plus incentive fee contract extension for continuation of work on the US Navy’s new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier CVN 79.

Under the contract, Northrop, which is the prime contractor for the programme, will continue ship design activities and procure materials to support construction and advanced construction work on select parts of the ship.

The CVN 79 is the second ship of the new Gerald R. Ford class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers to be built for the US Navy.

Enhancements incorporated into the design of the new class of ships include flight deck changes, improved weapons handling systems and a redesigned island, all resulting in increased aircraft sortie generation rates.

It will also include new nuclear power plants, increased electrical power generation capacity, allowance for future technologies and reduced workload for the sailors, translating to a smaller crew size and reduced operating costs for the Navy, according to Northrop.

The new Ford-class is slated to replace the US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.