U.S. Navy's Next Generation Aircraft Carrier, Gerald R. Ford, Set for Saturday Christening

Less than 24 hours to go until the christening of the U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

On Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, the ship’s sponsor and daughter to President Gerald R. Ford, Susan Ford Bales, initiated the flow of more than 100 million gallons of water into the dry dock with the push of a dozen buttons.

PAST FORD COVERAGE: Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Aircraft Carrier

The christening is set to take place starting at 11 a.m. EST, Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Newport News Shipbuilding where Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) has been under construction since 2009.

The Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the first of a new class of aircraft carriers, the first new design since USS Nimitz, which was launched in 1972. Redesigned from keel to mast, the ship will be able to launch aircraft more quickly while costing less to maintain, saving the Navy a projected $4 billion over the ship’s 50-year life span.

President Gerald R. Ford was the 38th President of the United States. On Saturday, his daughter, Susan Ford Bales, will be performing the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship’s bow during the ceremony.

Ford is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2016.

For those interested, you can watch a live webcast of the christening ceremony HERE.