Foundation for the Future: HII Lays Keel for Next USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier
Pioneering Legacy: Huntingdon Ingalls Industries Embarks on New Chapter with USS Enterprise
In a momentous occasion on August 27, 2022, Huntingdon Ingalls Industries (HII), renowned for its prowess in constructing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the United States and its pivotal role as a supplier of mission-driven defense technologies, celebrated the ceremonial keel-laying of the aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN 80) at its Newport News Shipbuilding division.
Embracing the spirit of excellence and dedication, U.S. Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, the ship’s sponsors, immortalized their connection with the vessel as their initials were welded onto a steel plate, symbolizing their enduring relationship with the shipbuilders and crew.
With a poignant emphasis on the significance of aircraft carriers, Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven underscored the pivotal role shipbuilders play in safeguarding national interests, urging them to recognize the magnitude of their craftsmanship.
Speaking to the assembly, NNS President Jennifer Boykin lauded the skilled artisans crafting Enterprise, accentuating their unwavering commitment to the Navy and the nation, emphasizing Newport News Shipbuilding as the sole shipyard capable of constructing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Boykin paid homage to the dedication of the shipbuilders, acknowledging their meticulous craftsmanship, which transforms steel and technology into not just a vessel but a home, workplace, and shield for the Navy’s sailors. She emphasized the discipline, precision, and relentless pursuit of excellence inherent in shipbuilding, underlining its critical importance in fulfilling the needs of sailors and their families.
Additionally, Boykin honored the veterans in attendance from previous U.S. Navy ships named Enterprise, including CV 6 and CVN 65, both constructed at NNS. CVN 80 continues the illustrious legacy of the Enterprise name, with significant portions of steel from CVN 65 incorporated into its construction, ensuring the continuity of Enterprise’s heritage.
CVN 80, the third Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier, represents a leap forward in naval technology. Designed to replace Nimitz-class carriers, the Ford class introduces numerous advancements, including a new nuclear power plant, redesigned island, electromagnetic catapults, and enhanced capabilities to support increased operational efficiency and future technological growth.
As the nation commemorates the 100-year legacy of aircraft carriers, all carriers currently operating in the U.S. Navy fleet were constructed at NNS. Enterprise stands as a testament to innovation, being the first aircraft carrier designed and built digitally, utilizing visual work instructions on modern devices, revolutionizing construction processes for Ford-class carriers.
Enterprise marks the first of a two-carrier block buy for the Navy, with work also underway at NNS on the second carrier, Doris Miller (CVN 81), signaling a new era of maritime supremacy and technological advancement for the United States Navy.
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