By Tony Capaccio (Bloomberg) -- The newest and costliest U.S. aircraft carrier, praised by President Donald Trump and delivered to the Navy on May 31 with fanfare, has been dogged by trouble with fundamentals: launching jets from its deck and catching them when they land. Now, it turns out that the system used to capture jets landing on the USS Gerald R. Ford ballooned in … [Read more...]
Pentagon Orders Review of Troubled New Carrier
by Anthony Capaccio (Bloomberg) The Pentagon’s top weapons buyer has ordered an independent review of the $12.9 billion Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, citing a list of actual and potential deficiencies with the costliest warship ever. “With the benefit of hindsight, it was clearly premature to include so many unproven technologies” on the vessel, from those … [Read more...]
Listen: Is The Age Of Aircraft Carriers Over?
The United States 10 times as many aircraft carriers as any other country. So why don't more countries have more carriers? Maybe they aren't such a great idea, anymore. By Jason Fields (Reuters) The United States has more aircraft carriers than any other country - depending on how you define "aircraft carrier," it's 10 times as many. Russia, a major naval power with large … [Read more...]
U.S. Navy’s $12.9 Billion Carrier Falls Further Behind Schedule
By Tony Capaccio (Bloomberg) -- The USS Gerald R. Ford -- the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier and the costliest U.S. warship at $12.9 billion -- won’t be delivered until at least November, more than two years late. “During the ongoing testing of developmental systems” on the carrier built by Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., “first-of-class issues are continuing to be … [Read more...]
China Confirms Second Aircraft Carrier With Domestic Technology
By Bloomberg News (Bloomberg) -- China is building a second aircraft carrier, with the new ship being designed and constructed domestically, the Defense Ministry said, marking the first time the government has confirmed the long-rumored project. The vessel is being built in the northern port of Dalian and will carry Chinese-made J-15 fighter jets, the ministry said on its … [Read more...]
Satellite Images May Show China’s First Domestically Built Aircraft Carrier
BEIJING, Oct 1 (Reuters) - New satellite images show China may be building its first indigenous aircraft carrier in the northeastern port of Dalian, according to IHS Jane's Defense Weekly, which has released the pictures. Little is known about China's aircraft carrier programme, which is a state secret, though Chinese state media have hinted new vessels are being … [Read more...]
China Building Two Aircraft Carriers, Taiwan Defense Ministry Says
By J.R. Wu TAIPEI, Sept 3 (Reuters) - China is building two aircraft carriers that will be the same size as its sole carrier, a 60,000-tonne refurbished Soviet-era ship, according to a new Taiwanese Defence Ministry report on the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Little is known about China's aircraft carrier programme, which is a state secret, … [Read more...]